Part of how your air conditioner works is by pulling humidity from your home’s indoor air, which results in condensation being created. If everything with the appliance is working smoothly, that moisture simply accumulates in the drain pan and exits through your household drainage system. However, there are times when something within the unit malfunctions and causes some or all of that water to leak out into your home. The AC unit leaking issue has a variety of potential causes, and some are more serious than others.
The Condensate Drain Line is Clogged
When your AC unit produces moisture through the dehumidification process, the condensation exits the system by flowing through the condensate drain line. However, because the moisture it collects from your household air contains particles of dirt, dust, and other contaminants, the drain line can eventually become clogged. When the water has nowhere to go it ends up spilling out of the drain pan and into your home. If you have the experience, you can clean out the condensate drain line yourself with a long wire brush. Alternatively, you can contact Campbell Comfort Systems to handle it for you.
The Drain Pan is Damaged
Your cooling system’s drain pan has the important task of catching the unit’s condensation as it drips. However, if it gets damaged or becomes corroded over time, it won’t be able to effectively catch the moisture, and the water will end up leaking from the appliance. This problem is especially common with air conditioners that are more than a decade old. If you encounter this situation, you can have our technicians at Campbell Comfort Systems replace the drain pan with a perfectly sized new one.
The Condensate Drain Line is Disconnected
Another possible reason for your leaking AC unit is that the drain line has become disconnected. If you first noticed the leaking shortly after having the appliance repaired or tuned up, there’s a good chance that this is the cause. Sometimes, when an air conditioner is being worked on, the drain line will inadvertently get knocked loose. That leads to the moisture from condensation spilling out of the unit and either pooling onto your floor or leaking through your ceiling. To fix this, it should be a simple job for your local cooling professionals to reconnect the line.
The Condensate Pump is Broken
Some air conditioners require the help of a condensate pump to consistently drain moisture out of the house. With these units, the pump automatically activates when the water level in its reservoir reaches a certain level. At that point, the float switch turns on, and the pump pushes the water through your home’s drainage system. However, it’s possible for these pumps or float switches to malfunction or break. When that happens, the water will continue to pool up in the reservoir without ever draining. Eventually, the reservoir will flood, and water will start spilling out into your household. This is not a problem you should attempt to remedy yourself, but our skilled technicians would be happy to promptly handle it for you.
The Air Filter Is Dirty
Believe it or not, having an overly dirty or clogged air filter can potentially lead to your AC unit leaking water. When too many contaminants are packed into the air filter, it decreases the amount of airflow that the system can create. That means that the air conditioner’s evaporator coils don’t receive as much warmth from the air. This may eventually lead to them getting too cold and becoming frozen. When the coils begin to thaw, that extra water may overflow the drainage pan and leak into your home.
If you notice a puddle appearing in your house, a dirty or clogged air filter could be the cause. Try swapping it out for a new, clean one. If the problem persists, that’s when you should call in your trusted local cooling experts.
Contact Campbell Comfort Systems
You can always rely on Campbell Comfort Systems for your heating, cooling, and indoor air quality needs. Our expert services include maintenance, repair, and installation for all kinds of heating and cooling appliances. We can also handle duct repairs, home energy audits, water heater replacements, and a wide variety of other top-notch services. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact us today if your AC indoor unit is leaking water!