Why Is My AC Leaking Water?

A water leak is a major headache for homeowners, especially when it goes unnoticed and causes extensive damage to the house, requiring costly repairs.

If you see your AC leaking water, it’s best to immediately contact a professional HVAC company like Smart Heating and Air Conditioning to make repairs and ensure there’s not a larger issue behind the leak you can see.

In this article, you can learn about eight common reasons behind an air conditioner leaking water.

1. Dirty Air Filter

Dirty air filters can lead to air conditioner leaks in a couple of ways, so it’s crucial to stay on top of replacing your air filters every month or so. A dirty filter can cause your HVAC system to overwork itself, causing parts to wear down faster and increasing the likelihood of leaks.

Typically, warm air from outside flows over the cold evaporator coils within your AC system’s indoor unit. The coils cool the air down, and condensation forms, similar to what you see on an extremely cold glass of water. The condensation drips down into a pan that leads to a drain line.

If enough air can’t pass through the filter, the evaporator coil could freeze over. When the frozen coil melts, the drain pan might overflow, causing water to leak inside your home.

See Related Article: Why Is My AC Frozen?

2. Grimy Evaporator Coils

Without proper maintenance on your air conditioning system, the components can become worn and dirty, including the evaporator coils.

The condensation that forms on an evaporator coil needs to hit the drip pan and drain outside your home via the condensate line, but dirt and grime can block the water’s path. Trapped moisture can cause your AC unit to leak water inside your house and, in some cases, lead to evaporator coil corrosion.

Even modern air conditioning systems require regular cleaning and maintenance to operate optimally, so don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your trusted HVAC technician.

3. Damaged Insulation

The insulation around the evaporator coil optimizes the evaporation process that cools your home and prevents excessive amounts of condensation. If the insulation has holes or other damage, water could start leaking out of your indoor AC unit.

The quickest way to fix this issue is to call a professional who can replace or repair the damaged insulation.

4. Low Refrigerant

If your air conditioning unit has low refrigerant levels, it causes lower pressure inside the AC system, similar to a dirty air filter. When this happens, the evaporator coils freeze over and the drip pan overflows when they melt, causing water leaks.

You might have a refrigerant leak if you notice the following signs in your air conditioner:

• Your HVAC system isn’t cooling your home well

• You can hear a bubbling or hissing noise coming from the AC unit

An AC technician might be able to repair a refrigerant leak, but in severe cases, you might need an entirely new HVAC unit. To avoid having to replace your leaking AC, you should get regular maintenance from a professional heating and cooling company.

5. Broken Condensate Pump

If your indoor AC unit is in the basement, you have a condensate pump that drains water outside your home. When this pump breaks, water can’t get outside, leading to a potentially severe AC leak.

You’ll need to get an HVAC expert to repair or replace the pump so you can safely use your air conditioner.

6. Clogged Condensate Drain Line

A clogged drain line is one of the most common reasons for AC leaks. As the hot air blows from outdoor units and causes condensation, the dripping water should ideally run down the condensate drain line and out of your house.

However, dust and debris can clog the condensate drain pipe, eventually blocking the water from draining at all and causing it to back up into your home. If you don’t catch the air conditioner leak early enough, your walls and floors can suffer significant damage.

Drain pans can also fill up with dirt and cause an air conditioner leak, so having your indoor and outdoor units cleaned periodically is a must if you want to avoid your AC leaking water inside.

7. Poorly Installed Drain Line

One of the reasons it’s crucial to work with an experienced and reliable heating and cooling company is because poor installation and repair practices can lead to unexpected issues with your air conditioner, such as a disconnected drain line.

If drain lines aren’t connected properly, they could come apart and cause water leaks inside your house. To avoid leaking air conditioners, choose expert HVAC technicians like our team at Smart Heating and Air Conditioning for your AC installations and repairs.

8. Old, Rusted Drain Pan

If you’re wondering why your air conditioner is leaking water in the house, the issue could be an old and rusted drain pan. AC units over a decade old are more likely to have a damaged drain pan, allowing water to fall straight through. Luckily, getting a new drip pan is a simple fix.

However, if your AC is old enough that the drain pan has rusted out, you’ll want to make sure you have an experienced heating and cooling tech look at the entire system to check for other parts that could be old and worn out.

If you still notice your air conditioner leaking after replacing the pan, it’s safe to say that there’s another source of water leaking somewhere in the AC system that needs professional attention.

Water Leaking From AC Unit? Contact a Reliable Air Conditioner Repair Company

Smart Heating and Air Conditioning is a trusted heating and cooling company in Contra Costa and Alameda County. We have a hard-working team of seasoned HVAC technicians who are available 24/7 for emergency heating and air services.

If you notice your AC is leaking water in the house, contact us today.