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

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 produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically kept in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, an error or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water floods the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, local codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water starts 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 evidence the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to take care of the issue. Some homes will also use a safety device that should automatically switch 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, ensure you set your thermostat to "off" to minimize any further water damage and call a Peachtree Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely demand professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Peachtree Service Experts. We proudly 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. In the end, the water drains into a pan under the indoor coil inside the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, 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 prevents the water from flowing away correctly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Peachtree Service Experts for the peace of mind it’s performed properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, regular 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 will sometimes be the cause if someone is working nearby the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Check your AC to determine 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 as soon as possible. Request an appointment with Peachtree 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 necessary when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is malfunctioning. First, make sure that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Peachtree Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Damaged

If you see small drips instead of a bigger puddle close to the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be bouncing off the evaporator coil rather than properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The best approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Peachtree Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you notice a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be low because of a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is very important for the life span 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. 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 occurs in the system. Call Peachtree Service Experts right away to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner's filter has to be changed regularly to ensure adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—possibly starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, more repairs may be necessary. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Peachtree Service Experts are willing and able to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are made to be used during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below will sometimes cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and potentially create an overflow due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Peachtree 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 own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may be damaged or corroded after years of normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Peachtree Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally.

Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Peachtree Service Experts can repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away.

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

Contact us at 678-235-9699 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!