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 normally kept in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.
As a side effect, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In a majority of homes, building codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Usually, the outlet of the pipe is found above the outside of a window so it’s more 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 usually a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most frequent reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes will also possess a safety device that should 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 spot water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to "off" to prevent anymore water damage and contact a All American Air Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently do best with professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at All American Air Service Experts. We happily deliver Expert air conditioning repair across North America, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*
1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked
When hot, humid air reaches the evaporator coil, water appears on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil within the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence takes place, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan becomes full.
However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This stops the water from moving away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like All American Air Service Experts to make sure it’s performed properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC if the drain becomes clogged again in the future, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhindered.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may be the cause if someone is working near the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line disconnects from the pan. Inspect your AC to determine if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment with All American Air Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is placed above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water can back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, determine that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like All American Air Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Damaged
If you see little drips instead of a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be dripping off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place 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 All American Air Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be insufficient thanks to a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is very useful for the longevity of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only done when a leak occurs within the system. Call All American Air Service Experts right away to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter has to be changed regularly to encourage enough airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—possibly creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, additional repairs will sometimes be the best option. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from All American Air Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are designed to run during warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and potentially create an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a All American Air Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.
8. Damaged Drip Pan
Air conditioners are made to last, but nothing lives forever. If you possess an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may be damaged or corroded due to normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak can appear as condensate seeps directly through it. All American Air Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.
Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, All American Air Service Experts can repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.
Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform exceptional 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 recommend a worry-free membership plan. This could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.
Contact us at 386-310-2061 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!