Indoor AC Unit Leaking Water? 7 Common Causes & How to Can Fix Them

There might not be anything more annoying than a leak that you can’t source. But if that leak is coming from your air conditioner, we can help. Keep reading to find 7 of the most common causes of an air conditioner leaking and solutions for each of them.

1. Clogged Condensate Drain Line

Clogged drain lines typically occur as a result of the dehumidification process. While this happens, dirt and debris accumulate. Over time, if you don’t clean the drain line, it will clog because of this.

The solution is to:

• Turn off the system and empty the drain pan
• Use a long wire scrub brush to remove blockages from the drain line
• Check to make sure it worked by putting a small amount of water through the line and making sure it flows

2. Rusted or Damaged Drain Pan

Your AC leak could also be the result of a rusted or damaged drain pan. This problem is most common in air conditioning units that are between 15 and 20 years old. When drain pans get old, they can corrode. And that can lead to an air conditioner leak.

The solution is to:

• Identify any cracks in your drain pan
• Apply sealant to them
• Test with water to make sure that the sealant holds

Alternatively, you can just buy a new drain pan. But make sure it’s the right size for your AC system.

3. Drain Line Disconnect

Your drain line also needs to be connected properly to your AC system. When it gets loose or disconnects, water will pool in that area.

The solution for this is to get in touch with an HVAC professional who can check the line and either reconnect or tighten it for you without negatively impacting the rest of your system.

4. Broken Condensate Pump or Float Switch

Some systems rely heavily on the condensate pump to remove excess water through the drain line. The float switch plays an integral role in this process.

But sometimes one or both of these things can break or malfunction. When that happens, you need to contact a technician to repair or replace them.

5. Condensation Build-up

Condensation builds up naturally as your air conditioner dehumidifies your home. But excess condensation may accrue if you have clogged ducts, dirty air filters, or a blocked pump. It can also build up because of high humidity levels in the summer.

The solution to this problem is to work on your insulation. You can do that by adding insulating material to your ductwork and making sure that your attic is insulated.

You may also be able to avoid this problem in the future by being more proactive about AC maintenance.

6. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils can freeze when you have a refrigerant leak or a partially blocked airflow somewhere in your system. When this happens, moisture builds up and the drain pan overflows.

The fix will depend on the problem. You may either need to clear away airflow blockage or clean your filter. If neither of those solutions works, you might have to replace or refill your unit’s refrigerant because of a leak.

7. Debris Filled Air Filters

Dirty air filters can cause a lot of problems in your system, including a leak. That’s why experts recommend that you clean them every two weeks and replace them every 3 to 4 months.

If you haven’t been doing that, then it’s possible that your air filters need to be replaced and that doing so will fix your leak.

ABE Heating and Cooling Can Fix Your AC Leak

Clearly, there are many different potential causes for an air conditioner leak. Instead of worrying about pinpointing the exact cause and solution on your own, consider letting ABE Heating and Cooling do the job for you.

We are located in Brighton, Colorado, and serve the entire Denver Metro Area. No matter what’s causing your leak, we’ll track it down quickly and resolve the problem so you can get back to enjoying your home.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.