An AC that’s leaking water has a variety of possible causes. The issue might be minor, such as a clogged condensate line, or it might be a more serious problem that requires a professional to complete a repair. At RCM Heating & Cooling, we specialize in finding the source of the problem and helping you determine the best way to fix it.
Below, we highlight some of the reasons you may see your air conditioner leaking water, including:
- Clogged condensate drain line
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Damaged or rusted drain pan
- Low refrigerant levels
- When to call a professional for AC leaks
Read on to learn more about the reasons your AC may leak water.
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Clogged Condensate Drain Line
A clogged condensate drain line is the most common reason an AC might leak water. When your air conditioner runs, it removes moisture from your home. The condensate drain line is how it gets rid of that moisture. After a while, the drain line can plug up with dirt, algae, and other stuff, which can cause it to clog. When it clogs, the water that’s supposed to flow out backs up into the unit, where it overflows and leaks out. This is more likely to happen when it’s very humid outside or if you haven’t had professional maintenance services in a while.
The good news is that this issue is easy to fix. Regular maintenance involves cleaning out the drain line, ensuring everything flows as it should. This helps to prevent water damage around your home.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Frozen evaporator coils are another common reason your AC leaks. The coils freeze and ice over, and then that ice melts, creating more water than the system is designed to handle. The water has nowhere to go, so it overflows.
Your AC coils might freeze for several reasons, including a lack of airflow, dirty air filters, or insufficient refrigerant. If you don’t take care of the issue, you risk damage to your system and property. You can defrost the coils, but this won’t fix the problem. It’s important to figure out why they iced over in the first place and to get a professional out for a repair.
Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan
Your air conditioner has a drain pan for the water that drips down from the evaporator coils. It directs this water into the drain line. If that pan is no longer in good condition and has rust, cracks, or corrosion, it starts to leak. When this happens, you might notice water on the floor under or close to the inside part of your air conditioning system. If your system is older and contains a metal drain pan, you’re more likely to see this problem, though plastic ones can also develop leaks.
To get the leaking to stop, you usually need to replace the drain pan. If you see rust on the pan or notice that it leaks regularly, you should contact an HVAC technician to come out and take care of the repair.
Low Refrigerant Levels
If your AC unit doesn’t have the proper amount of refrigerant, it has to run harder and cooler than it’s supposed to. This can cause the evaporator coils to freeze over. When the coils thaw out, the water from the melting ice is more than the drain system can handle. The water can’t move through fast enough, so it leaks.
Low refrigerant isn’t normal. It’s almost always caused by a leak in the loop of copper tubing that circulates it. Only a professional can fix this problem.
If your air conditioning system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you might also notice that it’s not cooling your home effectively. You can have refrigerant added, but this alone isn’t enough to restore it to proper functioning. The leak needs to be found and fixed. Handling refrigerant requires a special certification, so only a trained professional should handle the job.
When to Call a Professional for AC Leaks
While some fixes are simple, such as cleaning out a condensate line, not every AC leak can be handled without professional help. If you see water pooling around your unit and you can’t figure out where it’s coming from, or if you see frozen coils or suspect low refrigerant, it’s a good idea to call a technician.
At RCM Heating & Cooling, we have over 20 years of experience handling AC problems. Our team of experienced technicians can handle any issue and provide reliable repairs that help prevent future problems. Getting prompt professional service when you notice a leak helps to prevent damage to your HVAC system and property while keeping the temperature in your home comfortable all season long.