An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by pulling 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 normally collected in a drain pan and sent through piping into your home’s drain system.
A byproduct of this process, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In most homes, municipal codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water is draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water dripping from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely a sign the primary drain is clogged and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most general reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes may also possess a safety device that should automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to "off" to stop any further water damage and call a Rolf Griffin Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently do best with professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Rolf Griffin 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 moves over the evaporator coil, water forms on the chilled metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil in the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence occurs, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan fills up.
However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This prevents the water from draining away like it’s supposed to. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Rolf Griffin Service Experts to make sure it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged again sometime after, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, regular maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhindered.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working near the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue immediately. Request an appointment with Rolf Griffin Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, make sure that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Rolf Griffin Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Broken
If you see tiny drips instead of a larger puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be bouncing off the evaporator coil instead of properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Rolf Griffin Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you uncover a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be insufficient due to a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly 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. 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 inside the system. Call Rolf Griffin Service Experts right away to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter needs to be changed regularly to ensure enough airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils may become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—potentially producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, further repairs will sometimes be required. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Rolf Griffin Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are made to run 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 may lead to an overflow because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Rolf Griffin 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 lasts forever. If you possess 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 might appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Rolf Griffin Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working like it’s supposed to.
Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Rolf Griffin Service Experts can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.
Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete quality 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 talk about enrolling in 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 comfortable.
Contact us at 260-557-1275 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!