Have you recently noticed water leaking out of your AC air handler or pooling on the floor around it? This is a fairly common issue that often results from not having your AC system serviced often enough. In some cases, you can fix the problem yourself fairly easily. There are also times when you’ll need to hire an AC technician to handle the issue. This article will explain the different reasons why an AC system can start leaking water and what options you have for fixing each one.
An Overview of AC Condensate Drains
The condensate drain in an AC system is responsible for capturing water and funneling it away. Any time your AC is leaking water, it means that the condensate drain isn’t doing its job properly.
Other than in extremely dry climates, water always forms inside an AC system. Air conditioners use extremely cold refrigerant to absorb heat from the warm air flowing through them and lower the temperature of the air. When the warm air hits the refrigerant-filled evaporator coil, it results in some of the water vapor in the air getting cooled to its dew point and condensing into liquid.
The water initially drips off the evaporator coil into a plastic or metal drain pan underneath. It then flows through a series of PVC pipes that typically connect directly to the home’s plumbing. However, the pipes can sometimes lead to a nearby floor drain or directly outside.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Mold and algae often grow inside the drain pan and drain lines as a result of the moist, warm environment providing them the perfect conditions to thrive. Mold and algae growth is an especially common problem in the hot, humid Florida climate. Over time, this growth can result in a thick slime building up inside the drain lines and lead to a clog forming.
If the condensate drain system is completely clogged, water will quickly start backing up and eventually lead to the drain pan overflowing. All of the water then starts leaking out of the air handler and dripping down to the floor. Even a partial clog can lead to the drain system backing up and the drain pan overflowing if the house is overly humid and/or the AC has to run for a long time.
If your condensate drain lines lead to a floor drain or outside, you can often use a wet/dry shop vacuum to clear the blockage so that the water again drains away as it should. All you need to do is use tape to secure the hose to the end of the drain pipe to ensure that the vacuum creates sufficient pressure and sucks the clog out.
If the condensate drain system connects to your plumbing, the only way to unclog it is by disconnecting the drain lines. In this case, it’s better to hire a professional to avoid accidentally damaging one of the pipes.
Annual AC maintenance helps to avoid drain line clogs, as one part of this service involves flushing and cleaning the condensate drain system. If there’s an access panel on your AC air handler, occasionally pouring vinegar into the drain pan can help prevent clogs. There are also tablets that you can put in the drain pan to prevent mold and algae growth and lessen the chances of clogs.
Cracked Drain Line or Loose Connection
A leak can also indicate that one of the drain lines is cracked or that one of the connections or pipe fittings has started to come loose. While this type of issue is rarer, it can happen if someone bumps into the drain line. Loose pipe fittings can result from improper installation as well.
If you’re somewhat handy, you may be able to fix this type of problem yourself by replacing the cracked piece of pipe or taking the pipes apart and regluing the loose fitting. However, there’s still the chance of making things worse and costing yourself more money if you’re not extra careful.
Leaky Drain Pan
Older plastic or metal drain pans can each develop issues that lead to them starting to leak. Plastic drain pans can become overly brittle over time and end up cracking. Holes can eventually develop in metal drain pans as a result of the metal rusting through.
If a plastic drain pan only has minor cracks, you may be able to stop it from leaking by sealing the cracks with silicone. You can sometimes also use silicone or some other type of sealant to seal up small holes in a metal drain pan. Otherwise, a leaky drain pan is generally something you should hire a professional to take care of just to ensure the problem is fixed properly.
In case of more major damage, the only effective solution is to replace the drain pan. This is somewhat complicated, as you usually need to slightly lift the evaporator coil to slide the old pan out and put the new one in. The concern here is that it’s quite easy to damage the coil or the refrigerant lines, causing the AC system to leak.
A refrigerant leak is something you want to avoid at all costs due to how expensive it can be to fix the leak. If the leak isn’t fixed promptly, your AC system’s performance will quickly start to suffer due to it no longer having enough refrigerant. At some point, the refrigerant level will get so low that the system no longer cools at all. If your AC is low on refrigerant, it can also result in the evaporator coil frequently freezing and the system not being able to cool until the coil thaws out.
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible for a technician to replace a metal drain pan. On some AC systems, the drain pan is welded onto the evaporator coil and can’t be removed. That means the only way to stop the leak is to replace the evaporator coil, which is quite costly. As such, it’s often not worth doing if your AC is already 10+ years old and may not last for more than a few years.
What Causes Water to Leak From an Outdoor AC Unit?
Water leaking from the AC condenser unit outside the house usually isn’t anything to be concerned about, as condensation can also form within the unit and drip out the bottom. However, you should check that the refrigerant lines are still fully wrapped in insulation. If the cold supply line isn’t fully insulated, lots of moisture will continually condense on it. While the moisture isn’t an issue, hot air coming into contact with this line results in the refrigerant absorbing heat before it flows inside. That means the AC system won’t cool as well and will use more energy than it normally should.
The other time you need to be concerned is if the moisture leaking out of the unit feels greasy and doesn’t quickly evaporate. In this case, it means there’s a refrigerant leak that you’ll want to get fixed as soon as possible.
Contact the HVAC Pros for Fast AC Repair
Reliance Air Services offers reliable cooling services in Sarasota and the surrounding areas, and our team can properly manage your maintenance, repair and installation needs. Whether your AC is leaking or has any other problems, you can trust us to correctly fix the issue for a fair price. We offer same-day AC repair services and will quickly get you the help you need. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.
