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

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by removing heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is normally kept in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, an error or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is especially troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, municipal codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is found above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water is draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is often an indication 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 repair the issue. Some homes may also possess a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you spot water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to “off” to minimize any additional water damage and reach out to a Winnipeg Supply Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often need professional help, which is why we’re here to assist you at Winnipeg Supply 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 moves over the evaporator coil, water collects on the chilled metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan under 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 becomes full.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This prevents the water from draining away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to ensure it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged again in the future, thus avoiding water damage in your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and unobstructed.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may be the cause if someone is working near the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still fully connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Make an appointment with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, determine that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked

If you see tiny drips rather than a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be dripping off the evaporator coil compared to properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation best approach to keep the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Winnipeg Supply Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you discover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be lacking because of a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly useful for the life span of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to some expectations, your AC does not need to be replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only done when a leak appears in the system. Call Winnipeg Supply Service Experts right away to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to encourage adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils may become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, more repairs might be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Winnipeg Supply Service Experts are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

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

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are built to last, but nothing lasts forever. If you possess an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may 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. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working like it’s supposed to.

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can help. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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 suggest a worry-free membership plan. This may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

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