Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Causes

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by extracting heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically kept in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system. 

Unfortunately, an error or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is particularly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In a majority of homes, municipal codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is directed to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s quickly noticeable if water is draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan. 

Here are the most general causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to take care of the issue. Some homes will also possess a safety device that will automatically switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you discover water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to minimize any other water damage and reach out to a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners frequently need professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly deliver Expert air conditioning repair across Fort Lauderdale, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.* 

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked 

When hot, humid air moves over the evaporator coil, water collects on the cold metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan under the indoor coil within the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan overflows. 

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris might clog the drain. This prevents the water from moving away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make sure it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes clogged again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhampered. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working nearby the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Inspect your AC to see if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue right away. Schedule an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water might collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is damaged. First, determine that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Damaged 

If you see little drips in lieu of a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be bouncing off the evaporator coil instead of properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation protecting the coils redirect the water. The smart approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning membership. 

5. Low Refrigerant Level 

If you notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be lacking thanks to a leak. Air conditioners need refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it checked thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very beneficial for the health of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only required when a leak appears inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as you can to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly. 

6. Dirty Air Filter 

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to encourage adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils may become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—sometimes starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, more repairs might be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed. 

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC 

Air conditioners are made to be used during warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem. 

8. Damaged Drip Pan 

Air conditioners are designed to last, but nothing lives forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded after years of normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working like it’s supposed to. 

Our Experts Can Tackle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away. 

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide quality work. We have full confidence in our repairs—in fact, we back up everything we perform with a one-year 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!* 

We’ll even suggest a worry-free membership plan. This will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler. 

Contact us at 954-736-4314 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in Fort Lauderdale today! 

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