Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Reasons Why

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 creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually sent to a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.

Unfortunately, damaged pipes or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is particularly 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 uses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water starts draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water draining from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely an indication the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes could also possess a safety device that can automatically shut off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid anymore water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely do best with professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 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 appears on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil inside the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, 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 stops the water from moving away like it’s supposed to. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to ensure it’s done properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will quickly turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes backed up again sometime after, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, regular maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working near the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to determine if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue right away. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water might back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is damaged. First, determine that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Broken

If you see tiny drips in lieu of a more substantial puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil rather than properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation protecting]1119] the coils redirect the water. The {smart approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you find a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be low due to a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it inspected consistently during seasonal maintenance is very important for the health of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak appears within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as you can to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to encourage enough airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—sometimes creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, further repairs will sometimes be the best option. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are designed to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are made to last, but nothing survives forever. If you own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can solve the issue. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform 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 talk about enrolling in a worry-free membership plan. This can help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

Contact us at to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!