Why Is My AC Leaking Water? What You Need To Know

A leaking air conditioner can be alarming to a homeowner, especially if it has never occurred before. While seeing water coming from your air conditioner can be concerning, it’s not uncommon.

Water leaking from an AC unit is often caused by the removal of humidity in the air. The air conditioner pulls the humidity out of the air and releases it through a tube to the outside of the home.

It’s important to notice if your AC unit leaks water from anywhere other than the drainage tube. If water is collecting in your AC system, it could be a serious problem. In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the most common reasons your air conditioner will leak water.

Reasons an Air Conditioner May Leak

All air conditioners will drain out the collected humidity, but it’s important that the water drains properly and completely. Here are just a few reasons you may notice a lot of water coming from your air conditioner:

A Damaged Drain Pan

When your air conditioner pulls in warm air, it removes the humidity, collecting the water in a drainage pan. This drainage pan holds the water as it flows to a drain line and safely pours out of the unit.

Over time, the drain pan can break down and even crack open. This leads to condensation pouring out of the AC unit right away and spilling anywhere around the air conditioner. A new drainage pan can resolve the problem easily.

A Clogged Drain Line

Condensation that collects in your air conditioner’s drainage pan needs to leave the system safely. The drainage line allows the water to pour out down a drain or into your yard or flowerbed, and this requires a clear drain line.

If your AC drain line becomes clogged, water cannot flow through, resulting in a mess. This excess water could cause serious problems for your air conditioner if the clogged line isn’t repaired or replaced. Fortunately, repairing or replacing the drainage line is a fast and easy solution.

A Failed Condensate Pump

A condensation pump is required to remove condensation that collects in the drainage pan. These units pull the water from the drain pan and push it through the drain line to exit the air conditioner.

When the system’s condensation pump fails, the water can stay in the drain pan. Stagnant water can lead to mold development and eventually a system breakdown. Repairing or replacing the condensation pump can quickly solve the issue.

A Frozen Air Conditioner Coil

When water can’t be released from an air conditioner, it can lead to cooling issues and improper refrigerant flow. This can result in frost forming on the condenser coils, causing severe air conditioning damage.

Finding the root cause of the poor water flow is critical to help the condenser coils thaw out and work properly. Once the water can be released, the coils should thaw in full.

No matter what is causing your air conditioner to leak, it’s always best to work with expert air conditioner technicians for repairs and replacements.

Schedule AC Repair With Michael Bonsby

For over 15 years, Michael Bonsby has been a reliable source of heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services in the DMV. Our insured and licensed technicians use the best tools and techniques to get to the root of any system issue and fix it fast. Count on us for emergency services, same-day repairs, special discounts, and financing options.

For comprehensive AC services in the DMV, look no further than Michael Bonsby. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.