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 generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually collected in a drain pan and sent through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, damaged pipes or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is routed to the outside of the home. Typically, 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 leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is often a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most common causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes will also use a safety device that should automatically turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you see water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to "off" to stop any further water damage and reach out to a Calverley Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often require professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Calverley Service Experts. We consistently deliver Expert air conditioning repair across North America, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air runs along the evaporator coil, water forms on the chilled metal surface. At the end of the process, 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 might clog the drain. This keeps the water from moving away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Calverley Service Experts for the peace of mind it’s handled properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and unhampered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may happen if someone is working around the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to see 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 repair this issue right away. Schedule an appointment with Calverley Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners need 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 free of obstructions, water could back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, double-check that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Calverley Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Cracked

If you see tiny drips instead of a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The smart approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Calverley Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you find a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be insufficient thanks to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly beneficial for the life span of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs inside the system. Call Calverley Service Experts 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 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 fill in the drain pan—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, further repairs will sometimes be necessary. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Calverley Service Experts 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. Using 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 may lead to an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Calverley Service Experts 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 have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan might be damaged or corroded due to normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Calverley Service Experts 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, Calverley Service Experts can repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform dependable 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 may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

Contact us at 817-380-5647 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!