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

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

A byproduct of this process, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is particularly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, building codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is sent 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 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 causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes may also have a safety device that should automatically shut off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to "off" to prevent any further water damage and get in touch with a Levy & Son Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners frequently need professional help, which is why we’re here to assist you at Levy & Son 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 moves over the evaporator coil, water condenses on the chilled metal surface. Ultimately, 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 fills up.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This prevents the water from flowing away like it’s supposed to. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Levy & Son Service Experts to ensure it’s completed properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes clogged again in the future, thus avoiding water damage within your home. Of course, regular maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes occur if someone is working near the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to find out if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Make an appointment with Levy & Son Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is placed above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, double-check that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Levy & Son Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Damaged

If you see tiny drips in lieu of a more substantial puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil compared to properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Levy & Son Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be lacking because of a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it looked at regularly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly useful for the working condition 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. Despite 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 appears within the system. Call Levy & Son Service Experts as soon as you can to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner's filter should be changed regularly to encourage 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—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, further repairs will sometimes be required. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Levy & Son Service Experts are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are made to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Using 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 may lead to an overflow due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Levy & Son 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 lasts forever. If you possess 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. Levy & Son Service Experts 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, Levy & Son 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 highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide 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 could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

Contact us at 469-250-0932 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!