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

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by extracting 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 sent through piping into your home’s drain system.

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

In a majority of homes, municipal codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is found 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 spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is often evidence the primary drain is clogged and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes may also use a safety device that should automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any additional water damage and call a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely demand professional servicing, 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 moves over the evaporator coil, water condenses on the chilly metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil in the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan overflows.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This keeps the water from flowing away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make sure it’s done properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhindered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes happen if someone is working near the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Check your AC to see if the drain line is still attached 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. Arrange 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 put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water may build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, determine that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Damaged

If you see small drips instead of a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be dripping off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation protecting]1119] the coils redirect the water. The {smart approach to keep 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 notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling well, the refrigerant level may be insufficient due to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is highly useful for the longevity of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils could freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak appears inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as possible 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 can 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 will sometimes be needed. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are designed to run during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow thanks 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 designed to last, but nothing survives forever. If you have 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 may 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 normally.

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 help. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away.

Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete quality 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 recommend a worry-free membership plan. This can help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

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