Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Reasons Why

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by removing heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically sent to a drain pan and sent through piping into your home’s drain system.

As a side effect, a malfunction or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water floods the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, municipal codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Most of the time, 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 spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely an indication the primary drain is clogged and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most general explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes may also use a safety device that can automatically shut off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you spot water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to stop any additional water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely require professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We happily deliver Expert air conditioning repair across North America, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air runs along the evaporator coil, water appears on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil within the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan fills up.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris might clog the drain. This keeps the water from draining away correctly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for the peace of mind it’s handled properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will quickly turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged again later on, thus avoiding water damage within your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhindered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This can happen if someone is working nearby the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Check your AC to determine if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue immediately. Schedule an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, determine that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Cracked

If you see tiny drips rather than a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil rather than properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation best approach to stop 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 insufficient because of a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it looked at regularly during seasonal maintenance is highly important for the health of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to some expectations, your AC does not need to be replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak appears inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as you can to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to encourage proper airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—sometimes starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem sticks around, further repairs will sometimes be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are designed to provide enough cooling for 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 manufactured to last, but nothing lasts forever. If you own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could 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 properly.

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 as soon as possible.

Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide quality 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 advise signing up for a worry-free membership plan. This can help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

Contact us at to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!