Reasons Why Your AC Leaks Water

Posted on: 18 January 2023

Leaking water from air conditioners is a common problem in most households. However, most folks don't know why that happens. They'll just call their local technician to fix the problem. Knowing the leading causes of air conditioner water leaks can help prevent future leaks in your home. So, explore the reasons for the AC system to be leaking water.

Dirty Air Filters

Most air conditioners leak water due to dirty or clogged air filters. People forget to change their filters often, which could cause problems for you. Clogged air filters will not just ruin indoor air quality; it restricts airflow. And once the airflow is limited, the refrigerant won't cool the warm air. 

As a result, the evaporator coils will freeze after some time. The frozen evaporator coils will then thaw, causing water to pool on your floor. Changing the air filters on time should prevent incidences of water leaks.

Faulty Drain Line

Your drain lines must be in excellent condition to prevent water leaks. Sadly, people rarely inspect their drain lines. Your pipes might have a loose connection, which explains why the water is leaking. You should also check whether the drain lines have holes or cracks that allow water to leak. 

If you suspect the water leak is coming from the drain line, call a professional to do a reconnection or seal the holes.

Damaged Drain Pan

Air conditioners rely on drip pans to remove excess condensation. The water will collect on the drain pan before it flows to the drain pipe. Unfortunately, drain pans can get damaged pretty quickly due to rust. Once your drain pan gets rusty, it will develop cracks that might cause the accumulating water to leak. 

Sometimes the drain pan will flood due to clogs in the drain lines. In such cases, water will overflow from the drip pan and pool on the floor.

Condensation Build-Up

Condensation is bound to happen as your air conditioner cools the warm air. However, the condensation might build up, resulting in water leaking from the ductwork or vents. In most cases, condensation buildup happens due to clogged air filters, dirty air ducts, poorly insulated ductwork, and high humidity.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils are an essential component of your air conditioning system. Unfortunately, the coils can freeze due to blocked airflow or refrigerant leaks. Frozen evaporator coils cause moisture to build up pretty fast, causing the drip pan to overflow and leak water.

You must find out what's causing the evaporator coils to freeze up so that you can stop the water leak. 

For more information about servicing your air conditioning, contact a local company.

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HVAC For The Layman

Do you remember the last time your air conditioner died? Although you might have been tempted to write off the problem as a simple quirk, serious air conditioning issues might mean that your family gets stuck living in a hot, humid, uncomfortable environment. I have been a homeowner for a long time, and you wouldn't believe how many times I have come across issues with my HVAC systems. I want you to know how to recognize the early signs of trouble, which is why I decided to put up this page. By reading here, you might be able to learn the intricacies of HVAC in layman's terms so that you can get things resolved as quickly as possible.