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 sent to a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.

As a side effect, damaged pipes or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is namely 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 installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is located 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 dripping from piping on the outside of your home, this is often an indication the primary drain is clogged and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most general explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes could also possess a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any additional water damage and get in touch with a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 & Plumbing. 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 forms on the chilled metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil inside 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 stops the water from flowing away like it’s supposed to. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make sure it’s completed properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will quickly turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unobstructed.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes occur if someone is working near the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Check your AC to see if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue immediately. Schedule an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is found 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 not functioning. First, make sure that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked

If you see tiny drips rather than a more substantial puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could 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 dirty, or if holes in the insulation around approach to keep 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 enough, the refrigerant level may be insufficient due to a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly beneficial for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may 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 done when a leak appears within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as you can to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter needs to be changed regularly to produce proper airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—potentially starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, additional repairs may be required. Thankfully, 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 be used during warm weather. Using your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow due to 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 designed 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 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 normally.

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 repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.

Our technicians are thoroughly 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 recommend a worry-free membership plan. This will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

Contact us at to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!

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