Ac Leaking Water? Here's How You Can Fix It!

Introduction

Everyone knows how frustrating it is to wake up and find a pool of water on the floor of your garage. We've all experienced this at some point, but not everyone knows what's causing it. If you're wondering why your AC is leaking water, we're here to help! Here are some common causes of an AC leak and how to fix them:

A leaking air conditioner can cause a variety of problems.

If you live in a hot climate, the last thing you want to deal with is a leaking air conditioner. Not only can it be expensive, but it can also cause a variety of other problems. Here’s why:

Uncomfortable humidity levels- A leaking air conditioner will cause higher humidity levels inside your home, which can make you feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Poor indoor air quality- Higher humidity levels also mean that there’s more moisture in the air, which creates an environment where airborne bacteria thrive. This can lead to poor indoor air quality which makes it hard for people with respiratory issues like allergies or asthma to breathe comfortably.

Damage to the unit itself- Refrigerant is what keeps your air conditioner running smoothly — without enough of it, your AC won’t work properly. A leaky unit will lose refrigerant at an alarming rate, putting stress on other parts of the system and causing them to fail prematurely — meaning you have to replace the entire system sooner than expected. The most common problem caused by leaks is frost buildup on coils.

Increased energy costs- If water is leaking into your home, this will cause your utility bills to increase due to the higher use of electricity or natural gas.

Damaged flooring- If water leaks through the ducts or vent cover and drips onto the floor, then there may be not only damage to the surface but also structural damage to your home.

Mold growth- Mold growth is one of the most common side effects of a leaking air conditioning system because it can start growing inside of your ductwork and other places where there is moisture present. Mold spores are very small, so they are easy to inhale when they are mixed with dust particles in the air. If you have allergies or asthma, then this could lead to an allergic reaction or worse yet pneumonia if mold spores get deep into your lungs.

Odor in the room- A strong odor coming from your air conditioner could be because of internal corrosion caused by condensation forming inside of the unit itself when it's running but not cooling properly due to a leaky evaporator coil.

Common causes and the fix

There are several common causes of AC Leakage, which can be solved using simple fixes.

Clogged Condensation Line

The condensation line can frequently get backed up and plugged. Clogging can occur because algae and mildew might grow in the pipe and eventually clog it. This is why, at the very least, you should pour 1/3 cup of vinegar down the condensation line every three months. This helps to keep the line free of algae and moving smoothly.

If your condensation line becomes clogged, your air conditioner may shut off due to the float switch, or you may notice water in your drain pan beneath your air handler.

The fix: Locate the condensation line on your air conditioning unit outside. Remember that it is usually white PVC. Place the hose of a wet/dry shop vac at the end of the condensation line and use your hand to create a good suction connection between the hose and the condensation line.

Then, try sucking the blockage out of your condensation line. This will clear the clog and allow water to flow freely out of the pipe, so resolving your water-leaking problem.

Dirty Air Filter

Next, we have a Dirty air filter. The air filter is found in your air handler and should be replaced every 1-3 months, depending on the size of your family.

No air passes through the air handler when your air filter is clogged. As a result, your coils may become too chilly and freeze. This freezing can cause a leak beneath your air handler.

The fix: Replace your air filter every 1-3 months! Easy peasy! Some air conditioners offer a filter cleaning reminder, which notifies the user through an APP or the front panel when the filter needs to be cleaned.

Low Freon/Refrigerant Levels

If you haven't had your air conditioner serviced in a while, you may have low freon levels. Low freon levels might cause lower pressures inside your coils, resulting in freezing.

The fix: If you think your freon could be low, call a service firm. HVAC experts are the only people in most states who can test and install freon.

Float Switch is missing/broken

On your condensation line, a float switch should be placed. If the condensation pipe becomes clogged, this switch will turn off your air conditioner. While float switches are now needed in most places, they may still be absent in certain properties.

The fix: Check to see if your float switch is still operational. Install one if you don't have one already. If your condensation line has become clogged, you should absolutely do this (listed as the first reason your AC is leaking water).

Frozen Evaporator Coil

A frozen coil is caused by one of two issues: low refrigerant or low airflow.

When a frozen coil melts, it produces a massive amount of water that could overwhelm your drainage system.

The fix: A frozen evaporator coil is best left to the experts. If you damage a coil while defrosting it, you will be left with a large repair bill. 

Replace your AC

If the fix doesn't work and your AC is still leaking water, it's time to replace it. Your home's central cooling system should last between 10-15 years with normal maintenance, but if you've had yours longer than that and are finding that it isn't cooling your home properly or is leaking fluids like water or refrigerant, then it's probably time to invest in a new one.

If you want to be proactive about keeping your system running well into its lifespan, consider scheduling regular tune-ups with a professional HVAC technician who can make sure everything is running smoothly.

Conclusion

So, what do you think? Is your AC leaking water? If you need help, give us a call at (000) 123-4567. We’re here for you!

And if you’re looking for a new AC, TCL ACs have everything you could want! 

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