HVAC Guide
Why Is My AC Leaking Water?
By All Purpose Anytime Services LLC
Usually the condensate line is blocked. Your AC pulls water from the air all summer, and when the drain line clogs, the pan overflows. The next most common cause is a frozen coil thawing. Both are fixable, and both get worse if ignored.
A blocked condensate line
Algae and dust build up in the drain line over a humid summer. The water backs up into the pan and over the edge. In an attic unit, that water ends up in the ceiling below.
Many systems have a float switch that shuts the cooling off when the pan fills. If your AC stopped and there is water in the pan, that switch did its job.
A frozen coil
Low airflow or low refrigerant lets the indoor coil freeze. When it thaws, it drops more water than the pan can handle. A dirty filter is the cheapest cause. Low refrigerant means a leak somewhere.
If you see ice on the copper lines, switch the cooling off and leave the fan on to thaw it.
A cracked pan or a failed pump
Older drain pans rust through. Units in a basement often use a small pump to lift the water out, and those pumps fail. Both are ordinary repairs.
What to do now
- Switch the cooling off at the thermostat
- Put a towel or a tray under the leak
- Check and change the filter
- Look for ice on the lines, and leave the fan running if you see it
- Call if the water keeps coming or there is a stain on the ceiling
Water Where It Should Not Be?
Switch the cooling off, and call us. Service is scheduled for the next day.