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Why is AC leaking water?

Air Conditioner

Why is furnace leaking water when ac is on? What should homeowner do if AC is leaking water? In this article, MidCity Plumbers will help you to clarify the causes of water leaking from air conditioners in your house, apartment or at the office.

Occasionally you will notice some water leaking from your AC. In some cases, it can be a normal occurrence of AC, however, sometimes it can be a sign of more serious problems. Therefore, it is necessary to discover why the water of the air conditioner leaks.

In the cases where AC is working normally and there is some water leaking, you do not need to worry too much about it. You do not need to fix it. As air conditioners have an evaporator coil that cools its hot puff, it leads to condensation. It happens in the same way as the appearance of dripping cold water on a hot day. Cold liquid drips from the drain pan down to the condensate drain line (a white PVC pipe) located outside the house.

When water leaks into your house, it is a different problem. Let’s explore what the reasons are.

Reasons for air conditioner leaking water

1. Clogged condensate drain line

The clogged condensate drains line is the most common cause of water leakage in your home AC. If the drain line is clogged with dust, dirt, mud or dirt, the water will leak into your home. In this case, you need to remove the blockage. There are ways to remove the obstruction, such as using a vacuum in the condensate line.

2. Broken or rusty drain pan

Have an old air conditioner that you bought 12 or 15 years ago? Depending on the age of your AC unit, your condensate pan may be rusty, cracked or torn due to durability, causing your air conditioner to leak. To solve this, replace the pan.

3. Broken condensate pump

Is your AC connected to the basement? If so, there is a condensate pump pumping out of the water. But if the pump breaks, the water will not come out again. The pump needs to be repaired or replaced.

4. Dirty air filter

The dirty air filter blocks the air from the evaporator coil. If this happens, the evaporator coil will overheat and freeze. If it melts, the remaining water will drip that the pan cannot handle. Check the air filter if it is dirty and needs replacement. It needs to be changed every 1-3 months (depending on the season).

5. Low Cooling

Like a dirty air filter, if the temperature of the cold is low, the pressure of your AC system is also low, causing the evaporator coils to freeze. If the coils freeze, your drain pan will overflow and water will leak.

You will notice that the cooling is low if: If the air conditioner does not cool. There is a noise which indicates a leak.

6. Drainage of the drain pipe

Water in the air conditioner goes into the drain pan using the complex system of drain pipes. If the drainpipe is clogged, it will cause the AC to leak.

7. Improper placement

If your air conditioner is new and a lot of water leaks, it is usually due to incorrect AC installation. It may be Incorrect size or incorrect installation of the drainage pan. This causes water to leak from the air conditioner. The most common problem of new AC units is the connection. Wrongly designed condensate trap prevents damage causing water to rise and overflow.

HVAC professionals should check to make sure the design and installation are correct.

8. Cold outside temperature

The air conditioner will leak water if it works while it is cold outside. If the AC is tried to cool to a temperature of lower than 60 degrees, the coil may freeze, causing water to leak.

9. AC seal is not placed properly

If AC seal placement is improper at some point, hot air will enter it. When hot air hits the cold air of the AC unit, it forms water that accumulates at the bottom of the unit. If the seal is fixed, it will also be fixed.

10. Air leakage

In a poor or loose seal, the excess heat of the air entering the unit creates coldness and volume of water under the unit. Fixing the seal on the outside of the unit will correct and close the AC properly. But dripping water is not the only bad thing that can happen. It is important to make the hole properly so as not to reduce its efficiency. AC will work according to its temperature. If you do not want to check to see the problem, call our HVAC experts at MidCity Plumbers. We are available 24/7 for all plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems.

11. Freezing evaporator coil

To find out if the evaporator coil is freezing, open the blower door located inside the AC unit. Have you seen ice? If so, the water will cause the ice to melt. The drainage pan will bring in a lot of water. It will freeze, dissolve and freeze again. It will only happen over and over again. If left untreated, the unit will be damaged.

12. Excessive pressure

If the tunnel is closed or blocked, it will cause too much pressure on your unit which will cause the water to start dripping. Check out your home for a closed tunnel to make sure it is not clogged or closed.

Air Conditioner Leaking Water

Methods to prevent damage from AC leaking water

  • Make sure the central AC system is connected using a secondary drain line if the unit is in the attic. There is a drain pan drain attached. 
  • Make sure the AC unit is securely attached to the pan to prevent overflow. 
  • Always clean the HVAC filter or replace it. 
  • Make sure the duct works.
  • Always check the AC temperature level.
  • Use a 50/50 solution of water and detergent to prevent mold or odor from the condensate pump.
  • Check drain lines along with the air vent and p-trap.
  • Have HVAC checkup every year to ensure quality and repair damage if any.

AC Leaking Water

How to know when AC water leaking is too much?

There is a fine line between your air conditioner that works as expected. This needs to be fixed especially if you are not sure how much water is leaking from the AC unit. In normal operation, the air conditioner leaks only when it is in use. Then, the sludge of water will dry up only in the heat of the sun. The air conditioner needs to be adjusted if the water leak has continued for a day or more. If still not fixed, you need a professional HVAC expert from our team.

How to melt ice?

First, turn off the AC unit and turn on the blower (from “auto” to the “on” position). This is to melt the fan ice. Meanwhile, it is best to just call a professional to check and make sure the unit is working properly and for possible faults.

What do I do if water leaks into my air conditioner?

If you notice a lot of water dripping out of the air conditioner and the condenser unit for more than 24 hours, be sure to call MidCity Plumbers at (778) 772- 8676. We offer air conditioning services for both residential and commercial properties.

Learn more about other tips from our experts!

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