Is your air conditioner leaking water? If you have an AC leaking water, it can be a major annoyance and cause water damage to your home. In this blog post, we will describe the most common causes of air conditioner water leaks and how to fix them. We will also discuss what to do if the air conditioner leaks water inside or outside the home.
Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside Home?
If your AC is leaking water inside your home, you’ll want to get the leak fixed before it causes major water damage. An air conditioner leaking water inside home is most likely due to a clogged drain line, a frozen evaporator coil, or a damaged drain pan. Let’s take a closer look at each of these causes and how to fix them.
Clogged Drain Line
Air conditioner condensation is produced when humid air is cooled by the AC unit. This water drips into a drain pan and is then drained out of your home through a drain line. The air conditioner drain line can become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. When this happens, water will back up into the air conditioner and cause it to leak. To fix a clogged air conditioner drain line, you’ll need to unclog the line and flush it out with water.
To Unclog an AC Drain Line:
- Turn off your air conditioner at the thermostat.
- Locate the air conditioner drain line. This is usually located near the air conditioner unit, and generally is a small PVC pipe.
- Detach the air conditioner drain line from the air conditioner unit.
- Use a wet/dry vac on the outside of the drain line to suck out any debris causing the clog.
- Reattach the air conditioner drain line to the air conditioner unit.
- Turn your air conditioner back on and ensure the leak is fixed.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Another common reason for air conditioner leaking water inside home is a frozen evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing heat from the air in your home. The evaporator coil gets cold when the air conditioner is turned on, and condensation forms. If the air conditioner is not properly ventilated, this condensation can freeze and cause the air conditioner to leak water.
There are a variety of reasons that can cause a frozen evaporator coil. The most common reasons include a refrigerant leak, reduced airflow due to a dirty air filter or blocked ventilation, and a dirty or dusty evaporator coil.
If you find your air conditioner’s evaporator coil frozen, we recommend a professional HVAC technician to diagnose and repair your unit. For optimal AC performance and to avoid future issues, we recommend annual air conditioner coil cleaning by a professional.
Drain Pan is Damaged
The air conditioner drain pan is located under the evaporator coil and is responsible for catching any water that may drip from the coil. If the air conditioner is leaking water around it or outside of the drain pan, it could be due to a cracked or damaged drain pan. To fix this type of AC water leak, you’ll need a professional to replace the drain pan with a new one to prevent damage to the air conditioner unit and its housing.
Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water Outside?
If your air conditioner is leaking water outside, there are two potential causes: an outdoor unit refrigerant leak or a frozen evaporator coil. Let’s look at each of these in more detail and how to fix them.
Outdoor Unit Refrigerant Leak
The air conditioner’s outdoor unit contains a substance called refrigerant. AC refrigerants work to remove heat and moisture from the air in your home. Your air conditioner cannot function adequately if there is not enough refrigerant inside the unit.
There are various refrigerants, both in liquid and gas forms. Some refrigerants may look like water and appear as a puddle near your outdoor unit. Many refrigerants are harmful to people and pets, so calling for a professional HVAC service will be vital if you suspect a refrigerant leak.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Like an AC leaking water inside the home, a frozen evaporator coil can also cause a build-up and water leak outside of the home. As the evaporator coil repeatedly freezes and defrosts, a puddle of water can form around it outside. We recommend calling a professional air conditioner repair service to resolve any leaks caused by an air conditioner evaporator coil.
An air conditioner leaking water can cause damage to your home’s drywall, attic space, and more. The added moisture can cause mold and mildew growth, as well. A professional HVAC technician can diagnose and repair your AC water leak to keep the problem from causing permanent damage. For fast, dependable air conditioning repair you can count on, give Dependable Heating and Air a call today!
