Why Your AC Is Leaking and How to Fix It

In hot and humid climates, air conditioners are vital for creating a pleasant home atmosphere throughout the year. But if you see water leaking from your AC, you need to fix the problem right once to avoid any additional damage or failures.

Learning what’s causing the leaking and how to stop it can keep your AC running well and save you money on repairs. In this piece, we’ll look at the most prevalent reasons for AC leaks and provide some helpful strategies for dealing with them.

Problem #1: Condensate Drain Line Blockage

A clogged or obstructed condensate drain pipe is a common cause of water leaking from an air conditioner. Condensation forms on the evaporator coils of air conditioning units as a byproduct of the cooling process that removes the heat from the interior air.

Condensate drain lines carry the collected water out from the building. Water may back up and spill from the unit if filth, dust, algae, and mildew have accumulated in the drain line.

Solution:

The first step in fixing this problem is finding the condensate drain line, which is often situated close to the outside unit. To remove obstructions, turn off the water supply and either use a wet/dry vacuum or a pipe cleaner.

A mixture of water and vinegar, in equal parts, may also be used to remove obstructions. If the condensate drain line is regularly serviced, obstructions and leaks may be avoided in the future.

Problem #2: Frozen Evaporator Coils

Water flowing from your air conditioner might also be the result of frozen evaporator coils. Reduced airflow from filthy filters, clogged vents, or a broken blower fan are just some of the potential causes. When the evaporator coils freeze over and the air conditioner is turned on, the ice melts and causes the unit to leak water.

Solution

The first step is to stop using the AC and let the coils defrost fully. Remove any obstructions from surrounding the interior unit, clean the vents, and replace any filthy air filters.

If the problem continues, a qualified HVAC specialist should be called in to investigate the cause(s).

Problem #3: Low Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant in your air conditioner is responsible for removing the heat from the interior air. A leak in your air conditioner’s refrigerant system may cause the evaporator coils to freeze, which in turn causes water to flow from the unit.

Solution

Professional HVAC technicians should be entrusted with the task of locating and fixing any refrigerant leaks. In order to find the cause of the leak, repair it, and restore proper refrigerant levels, you need to call in a professional.

Problem #4: Damaged or Disconnected Drain Pan

The evaporator coils have a drain pan installed below them to collect moisture and route it to the plumbing drain. Water may leak from the device if the drain pan is broken, rusty, or placed incorrectly.

Solution

Look for misalignment or other damage to the drain pan. Replace the broken pan or put it back in its proper location if problems persist.

Conclusion

Dripping water from your air conditioner may indicate anything from a simple blockage to a catastrophic failure. These issues may be avoided and the AC kept functioning smoothly with routine maintenance and prompt repairs.

However, for accurate diagnosis and repair, it’s better to have a professional handle your HVAC system. Avoiding more significant and expensive repairs by addressing the reasons of leaking as soon as they are noticed is essential to having a pleasant and working cooling system during the hot seasons.