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 creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually sent to 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 blocked. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, local codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water is draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually an indication the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes could also possess a safety device that can automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you spot water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid any further water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely need professional support, 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 collects on the chilled metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil inside 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 properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for the peace of mind it’s completed properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhampered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may be the cause if someone is working near the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to see if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue immediately. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water can back up 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 root cause, the AC leak could 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 Dirty or Cracked

If you see little drips rather than a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation best 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 uncover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be insufficient because of a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is highly useful for the working condition of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils may 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 required when a leak occurs in the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing immediately to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to ensure proper airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—possibly producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, additional repairs will sometimes be required. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are willing and able to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are designed to run during warm weather. Starting 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 potentially create an overflow thanks 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 made to last, but nothing lasts forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded after years of 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 properly.

Our Experts Can Tackle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.

Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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 talk about enrolling in a worry-free membership plan. This could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.

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

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