Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Causes

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

Unfortunately, faulty components or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water starts draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually evidence the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most common explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes could also use a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you see water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid anymore water damage and get in touch with a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely demand professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We proudly 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 forms on the cold metal surface. In the end, 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 can clog the drain. This stops the water from draining away like it’s supposed to. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to ensure it’s performed properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC if the drain becomes backed up again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unobstructed.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes be the cause if someone is working nearby the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still fully connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue right away. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is broken. First, determine that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked

If you see small drips rather than a larger puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation surrounding 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 like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is extremely important for the working condition of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may 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 required when a leak appears within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing immediately to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to ensure adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—potentially creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, further repairs will sometimes be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are willing and able to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to run during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower will sometimes cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in 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 lasts forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan might be damaged or corroded after years of 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 Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can solve the issue. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform dependable 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 talk about enrolling in a worry-free membership plan. This may 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!