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

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by removing heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it produces 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.

Unfortunately, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is particularly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, municipal codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Usually, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water begins draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water draining 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 reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to take care of the issue. Some homes can also possess a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to “off” to prevent anymore water damage and call a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely do best with professional repairs, 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 forms on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan under 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 overflows.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris might clog the drain. This keeps the water from flowing away like it’s supposed to. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the peace of mind it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will automatically switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again in the future, thus minimizing water damage in your home. Of course, regular maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and unhindered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This can occur if someone is working around the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Check your AC to see if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water can build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is broken. First, double-check that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the root cause, 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 Broken

If you see little drips rather than a bigger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be bouncing off the evaporator coil instead of properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation protecting the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to prevent 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 enough, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is extremely useful for the health of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Opposite of 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 happens within the system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning immediately to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to ensure proper 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—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, more repairs may be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow because of 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 manufactured to last, but nothing lives forever. If you own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded even with 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 Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can solve the issue. 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 complete exemplary 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 advise signing up for a worry-free membership plan. This may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.