Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Causes

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by extracting heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually sent to a drain pan and transported through piping into your home’s drain system. 

Unfortunately, a malfunction or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is especially troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In a majority of homes, building codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is found 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 spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually a sign the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan. 

Here are the most general causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to take care of the issue. Some homes could also possess a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any additional water damage and contact a Rob's Albertan Service Experts service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners frequently demand professional help, which is why we’re here to assist you at Rob's Albertan Service Experts. We consistently 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 forms on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan underneath 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 overflows. 

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This keeps the water from flowing away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Rob's Albertan Service Experts to ensure it’s completed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC if the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus preventing water damage within your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhindered. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This can be the cause if someone is working around the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line disconnects from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue immediately. Arrange an appointment with Rob's Albertan Service Experts today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water can build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is broken. First, double-check that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Rob's Albertan Service Experts to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked 

If you see tiny drips in favor of a more substantial puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be bouncing off the evaporator coil rather than properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation easiest approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Rob's Albertan Service Experts membership. 

5. Low Refrigerant Level 

If you find a leak and the AC isn’t cooling well, the refrigerant level may be lacking due to a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it inspected thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very important for the longevity of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Opposite of some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only done when a leak appears in the system. Call Rob's Albertan Service Experts right away to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly. 

6. Dirty Air Filter 

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to ensure enough 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—potentially starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, further repairs may be needed. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Rob's Albertan Service Experts are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved. 

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 colder 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 Rob's Albertan Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem. 

8. Damaged Drip Pan 

Air conditioners are designed to last, but nothing survives forever. If you use an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may 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. Rob's Albertan Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly. 

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Rob's Albertan Service Experts can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible. 

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide 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 advise signing up for a worry-free membership plan. This will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool. 

Contact us at 780-800-9047 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!