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 typically collected in 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 clogged. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, municipal 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 routed to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water starts 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 usually evidence the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most common reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes could also use a safety device that can 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 discover water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to "off" to avoid any additional water damage and contact a Winnipeg Supply Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners frequently need professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Winnipeg Supply 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 reaches the evaporator coil, water appears on the chilly metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan under the indoor coil within 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 can clog the drain. This keeps the water from moving away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to make sure it’s completed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes clogged again in the future, thus avoiding water damage within your home. Of course, regular maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may happen if someone is working close to the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to determine if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue right away. Arrange an appointment with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to properly 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 could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, determine that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Broken

If you see little drips rather than a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be bouncing off the evaporator coil rather than properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation protecting the coils redirect the water. The 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 uncover a leak and the AC isn't cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be insufficient because of a leak. Air conditioners need refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is extremely important for the working condition of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils could 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 required when a leak occurs inside the system. Call Winnipeg Supply Service Experts as soon as possible to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner's filter has to be changed regularly to produce proper 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—possibly starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, additional repairs may be the best option. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Winnipeg Supply Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to be used during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and potentially create an overflow due to 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 made 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 due to normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak can appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally.

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Winnipeg Supply 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 highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete dependable 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 could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

Contact us at 204-800-0613 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!