Drip, Drip, Drip...: What to Do When Your AC Is Leaking Water

Texas is one of the hottest states in America. With record-breaking temperatures during the summer, you must keep your air conditioning in tip-top shape. That is why it is always jarring when you realize your Air conditioner is not running as it should. One of the main problems is that your AC is leaking water.

So, the first thing you want to do is check the pan to see if there is any leakage. If you find water leaking out of AC units, you will want to know the root of the problem. To find out why your air conditioner is leaking, keep reading our helpful guide.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

If your air conditioner is leaking, check your air filters. That is the first step to troubleshooting the issue. Our air filters tend to clog with all the dust and debris circulating through our homes.

When this happens, it prevents airflow through the system, and one problem after another arises. For instance, our air conditioning units run on coolant or refrigerant. That allows the coils to cool our homes.

However, for this to happen, it needs proper airflow. So, when the air filters jam up with debris, the air circulation is poor, and it will cause the coils to freeze up.

You will know this is happening when you see your inside unit freeze up and drip water. As a rule of thumb, check and change out your air filters every month.

If it is during the summer, change it out more. Your air conditioner will run more often during the hot months.

That gives it more time to collect harmful allergens. That will also help keep you and your family healthy because you won’t be breathing in re-circulated dust.

Did you check your air filters and see that they are clean? If so, there are a few other reasons why your coils may form ice and cause your air conditioner to leak water.

For instance, your coils may be dirty or corroded. Go ahead and double-check the state of the coils to see if you need to clean them off or not.

If you see debris or dirt on them, never use a wet rag or any liquid. If you do this, you are at risk of severe electric shock.

Instead, get a can of compressed air to blow the debris away. However, if the coils look rusted or worn away, you might want to call for professional services.

An air conditioning company will know how to replace them, so there are no further issues. That way, you keep yourself safe and ensure they fix the unit.

Cracked Drain Pan

If your air filters and evaporator coils look good, double-check the drain pan. You can find that part under your indoor handler. Before you inspect the drain pan, you want to shut off the power supply to your unit.

If you do not do this, you put yourself at risk of harm and injury because there might be water in the pan. After you do this, look for a pipe leak. Air conditioning systems have pipes that filter out the water in your outdoor unit.

However, it is not uncommon for those pipes to crack and drip fluid into your AC and the drain pan. If that is the issue, go ahead and use a small wet-dry vacuum to soak up the liquid.

Again, you may want to hire AC repair services like us here as Guys AC, who knows how to remove the pipe and reinstall a new one. Of course, you can fix the pipe and drain pan temporarily with a sealant.

Head to your local hardware store and find a waterproof sealant. Then, spread it over the crack. That should be enough to hold the water in until the professionals arrive.

Clogged Drain Line

Another reason why there is water leaking out of the AC is a clogged drain line. It is all too easy for the drain line to jam up with debris and fungus. After all, water flows through it constantly.

Once other outside contaminants mix in with the liquid, it is a breeding ground for algae. When it comes to cleaning the drain line, it is up to your whether you want to tackle it on your own or call AC repair.

You first want to locate the pip near the drain pan. Once you find that, take the cap off so you can pour a cleaning solution down the line. One of the best household cleaning mixtures is vinegar.

Since it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, it won’t eat through the drain lines. Once you do this, wait to see if the leaking stops. There is always the chance that clog is more severe than you realized.

When this happens, the vinegar won’t be enough to dissolve the debris clogging our system. We do not advise to pour any other chemical down your drain line without the consultation of a professional. At this point, it is to your benefit to call up a repair service and have them handle the rest.

AC Is Leaking Water? Hire a Service

As you can tell, there are several reasons why your AC is leaking water. It could be something simple like an overflowing drain pan or frozen evaporator coils.

If it isn’t either of those two, always remember to check the drain line. If you think you cannot DIY the situation, it may be time to call in the professionals.

At Guys AC, we employ some of the most trained air conditioning professionals in the area. If you need AC repair services, do not hesitate to contact us today.