Why Is My Home A/C Leaking Water?

Florida’s summers are known for two things: heat and humidity. An air conditioner works to eliminate both of these by using an “evaporator coil” to remove humidity and heat from the air. Eventually, this condensed water drips down into your drain pan, and then out through the drain line and away from your home.

However, if your air conditioner is leaking in a different place, you may be experiencing a different issue. Water leaks in unexpected places are a tell-tale sign that something else may have gone wrong with your system. Here are five different reasons your A/C could be leaking and how to fix each of them.

Clogged Drain Line

The line that carries condensation water away from your home needs to stay clear in order to do its job, however algae and other debris can build up in the drain line over time, leading to clogs. Clogs prevent water from leaving, leading to build up and eventual overflowing of your drain pan, resulting in leaks. This is perhaps the most common cause of A/C water leaks.

Damaged Drain Pan

If your air conditioner is getting old, then so is your drain pan. Over time, the constant dropping of water and exposure to moist, cool air leads to rust and damage in your drain pan, which could result in leaks that damage your home. If your air conditioner needs to be replaced, you should also replace your drain pan while you’re at it.

Broken Condensate Pump

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump installed to pump the condensed water away from your home. If the pump breaks, the water can’t escape, which leads to overflowing and home damage. Check your pump periodically: if it’s broken, repair or replace it.

Dirty Air Filter

The importance of regularly changing your air filter in your air conditioner cannot be overstated. When your filter gets old, it blocks air flow to your evaporator coil, which causes it to get too cold and possibly even freeze over. This brings your system to a crashing halt, and when it melts, it’ll drip away a lot of water, perhaps more than your pan can handle.

Low Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant in your A/C system needs to be within certain operating guidelines. Too much and your system will be under too much pressure, which could seriously damage it. Too little, and the pressure will drop, also causing the evaporator to freeze over.

Need Air Conditioning Repair? Talk to your air conditioning repair experts at Airrific Air Conditioning & Heating today! Call (941) 371-3355.