Why Is your AC Leaking Water?

It can be scary to see water drip down your air conditioner. The last thing you want is a puddle inside that makes a mess and costs a lot to fix. Even though your AC unit takes water out of the air, this is not normal. Instead, a leaky AC can be a sign of a serious problem. It is best to look for Professional Air Conditioning Services In San Francisco CA as soon as you see that your AC is leaking water. If you keep using your AC, water can build up and cause it to break. This blog post will discuss the possible reasons why AC starts leaking water.

Professional Air Conditioning Services in San Francisco CA and Reasons why AC Collects Water

Your HVAC system does more than keep the temperature stable; it also affects the humidity in your home. Evaporator coils make up the AC unit inside. As the warm air from your home is sucked into your HVAC unit, it is blown over the cold evaporator coils, which causes it to condense and make the air less humid.

The problem happens when your air conditioner has difficulty getting rid of the extra water because there is too much of it. This can cause your air conditioner to leak water into your home.

Common Causes AC Leaking Water Inside your House

Many things, like clogged drain lines or dirty air filters, can make it so that your AC can’t get rid of moisture correctly. No matter the reason, it is important to look for Professional Air Conditioning Services In San Francisco CA as soon as the problem is noticed. Let’s look at some common problems with air conditioners that can cause them to leak water:

Clogged Condensate Drain Line

One of the most common reasons an AC leaks water is this. Dirt and other things are in the water that your unit collects when it dehumidifies.  If you don’t clean it out of the condensate drain line over time, it can build up and cause a blockage. At some point, water will start to build up in your unit, which will cause it to leak through the drain pan and into your house.

Some modern air conditioners have a switch that turns them off if there is clogging in condensate line. This is a great way to stop water damage to your house. But if your unit doesn’t have this feature, you’ll have to do it yourself.

Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan

Under the AC’s evaporator coils or in the air handler, there is a drain pan to catch condensation as it drips. From here, the water goes outside through the drain line. Now, if the drain pan is broken or rusted, the water will start to leak instead of going into the drain line.

When your air conditioner is 15 years old, it will show signs of wear and tear. One of these is a rusted drain. Look for Professional Air Conditioning Services In San Francisco CA to hire experts who can repair or replace your AC. Otherwise, the drain pan can rust over time and break down, which can cause your AC to leak water.

Drain Line Disconnect

If your drain line is not properly attached, it will come loose, which will cause your AC to leak water. The drain line can break off due to wrong installation, or if it was fixed wrong, or if it has become loose over time.

Water can collect on the floor or leak through the ceiling if a drain line is not connected. Depending on where your AC unit is, the leak source may differ. 

Float Switch or Broken Condensate Pump 

If your central HVAC unit is in a basement or a far-away attic, it’s not always easy for water to flow out of your drain line. In this case, the condensate pump is a key part of getting water out of the system.

The float switch on the pump turns on when the water level in the condensate pump reservoir rises. The condensate pump then drains the water outside your house.

If the condensate pump is broken or the float switch isn’t working right, it won’t pump water out of the unit. Because of this, the water will start to build up and leak out of your air conditioner.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils are a part of your indoor unit. They can freeze up if there is a leak of refrigerant or if air can’t get to them. This can cause moisture to build up, leading to the drain pan overflowing and water leaking.

You can’t fix this problem on your own, though. You’ll have to look for Professional Air Conditioning Services In San Francisco CA to call a technician to find the source of the leak. A professional can quickly identify it, fix it, and will add more refrigerant.

Debris Filled Air Filter

Dirty air filters can also cause evaporator coils to freeze, which can cause your air conditioner to leak water. The filters make sure that the air flows well. They keep dirty air out of your house and let clean air in. But over time, these particles and dust can build up in the filters and stop them from working. When they get in the way, it’s bad for the air quality inside and can also hurt your unit. It also makes it hard for the HVAC to move air.

Also, when there is clogging in air filters, it is hard for warm air to get through. So, the refrigerant won’t be able to soak up the heat so the evaporator coils will freeze up after a while.

If your AC needs repair or you want to replace it, contact Rashid Kaddoura Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning LLC. We have the best technicians with years of experience in the field.