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 generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually collected in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.
As a side effect, a malfunction or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become backed up. 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 up in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In a majority of homes, local codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is placed 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 draining from piping on the outside of your home, this is often a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most frequent reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes can also use a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you discover water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to "off" to avoid any other water damage and get in touch with a Parker Pearce Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently demand professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Parker Pearce 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 runs along the evaporator coil, water collects on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan under 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 keeps the water from moving away properly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Parker Pearce Service Experts for the peace of mind it’s handled 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 backed up again later on, thus preventing water damage within your home. Of course, consistent 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 may become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working near the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Inspect your AC to determine if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue as soon as possible. Request an appointment with Parker Pearce Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water may back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, determine that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Parker Pearce Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Cracked
If you see small drips rather than a more substantial puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be dripping off the evaporator coil rather than properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The smart approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Parker Pearce Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you uncover a leak and the AC isn't cooling well, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is highly important for the health of your unit. Without adequate 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 refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs inside the system. Call Parker Pearce 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 proper 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 creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs will sometimes be needed. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Parker Pearce Service Experts are willing and able to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are built to be used during warm weather. Using your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Parker Pearce Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.
8. Damaged Drip Pan
Air conditioners are made to last, but nothing lives forever. If you use 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 could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Parker Pearce 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, Parker Pearce Service Experts can solve the issue. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away.
Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform 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 may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.
Contact us at 301-476-4577 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!