Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Reasons Why

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by pulling 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 sent to a drain pan and moved 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 returns to the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In the bulk of homes, building codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. Usually, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s quickly 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 usually an indication the primary drain is clogged and water is now draining from the safety drain pan. 

Here are the most common explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to resolve the issue. Some homes may also possess a safety device that should automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to prevent anymore water damage and call a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners often demand professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We proudly deliver Expert air conditioning repair across the U.S., backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.* 

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked 

When hot, humid air moves over the evaporator coil, water appears on the cold metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil within the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence occurs, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan becomes full. 

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This stops the water from moving away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to guarantee it’s performed properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will autonomously turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes backed up again in the future, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may happen if someone is working around the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Check your AC to find out if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue immediately. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is placed above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, make sure that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, 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 & Plumbing to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Broken 

If you see tiny drips instead of a bigger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be splashing off the evaporator coil rather than properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation smartest 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 & Plumbing membership. 

5. Low Refrigerant Level 

If you notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it checked thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is highly useful for the longevity of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils could freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as you can to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly. 

6. Dirty Air Filter 

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to ensure adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—possibly causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, further repairs might be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here 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. Using your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem. 

8. Damaged Drip Pan 

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

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay. 

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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 advise signing up for 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 cooler. 

Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!