
Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water Inside
- Rusted Or Damaged Drain Pan. The drain pan is located underneath the AC’s evaporator coils or in the air handler to catch condensation as it drips, and the water ...
- Disconnected Drain Line. If the drain line is not correctly attached or installed, it will disconnect and cause your AC unit to leak water.
- Clogged Condensate Drain Line. ...
Why is my air conditioner leaking water?
Through a clogged drain line- Your air conditioning system needs to drain the majority of water it produces, so if the water comes across a clogged drain line, then water will collect inside. This, in turn, cause your air conditioner to leak water.
Why is my RV AC dripping water inside?
Why is My RV AC Dripping Inside? The RV air conditioning system starts to leak inside due to the malfunctioning of its component. The blockage of the drain pan, evaporator coils, and pipeline because of dust and debris build-up. The clogged filters and tight gaskets will block the route of water and air that will result in dripping.
Why is there water in the drain pan on my AC?
Evaporator coils are generally part of your indoor unit, and due to a refrigerant leak, they can freeze, which leads to moisture building up, causing the drain pan to overflow. 6. Dirty Air Filters Having dirty air filters will certainly block airflow over the evaporator coil, causing water in the unit to lead to AC leaks.
Why is my window AC unit spilling water inside?
Puncture in the condensate pan can cause window AC unit to spill water inside or outside the house. Cause of window air conditioner leakage: Condensate pan has to be intact. If you have a hole in it or any small dent, the water will start leaking from that hole.

How do I stop my AC unit from leaking water inside?
How to Fix Air Conditioner Leaking Water from The Unit?Change Your Air Filters. ... Clean the Condensate Drain Line. ... Make Sure Your Drain Pan Is the Right Fit for Your Unit. ... Pour Bleach into Your Drain Line Every 6 Months. ... Don't Overwork Your Air Conditioner When It's Hot Outside.
Is it normal for AC to drip water inside?
If your AC is leaking inside the home, it's most likely due to a clogged condensate drain line. Over time, this line can become clogged with debris like dirt, dust, or mold. When your condensate drain line gets clogged, water can't escape and drain to the outside of the home.
Can I run AC if water is leaking?
As soon as you notice that your air conditioner is leaking, go ahead and turn it off. This is important even if the air in your home doesn't feel any different, because it will stop the flow of water. The more water leaks out of your air conditioner, the more susceptible it becomes to further damage.
What causes AC to leak water?
The condensation collected by your air conditioner carries the dust and debris into your drain line and your drip pan. Eventually, the drain line can clog, causing water to back up and eventually leak. The same thing can happen in the drain pan: dust can clog the drain, causing the pan to overflow.
How do I unclog my air conditioner drain line?
0:298:10How to UNCLOG your AC DRAIN Condensate line FAST - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a very simple easy way to fix. This is to just take a rag or some tissues like I'm using hereMoreSo a very simple easy way to fix. This is to just take a rag or some tissues like I'm using here wrap. Them around the pipe. And what we're trying to do is just kind of close the gap with the vacuum.
How do I clear my AC drain line?
How to Unclog Your AC Condensate Drain LineTurn off your air conditioner. ... Remove the cap from the pipe. ... Check to see if there is any debris stuck in the drain. ... Remove any visible debris and retest for proper drainage. ... Pour in Vinegar. ... Replace the drain cap. ... Remove the drain cap.More items...•
Why is water dripping from evaporator coil?
Problems in the Drainage. The most common causes of evaporator coil leaks are a clogged drain line or a rusted condensation pan. The drain line can get clogged with all sorts of things, like insects, mold or dirt, which then means the water coming off the condensation coil has nowhere to go.
Why Does Water Form in My Air Conditioner?
Your AC’s inside unit contains the evaporator coil (pictured on the right) that cools the warm air blown over it. This causes condensation (moistur...
Cause 1: Clogged Condensate Drain Line
A clogged condensate drain line is the most common cause of water leaking from your AC into your home.If the drain line gets clogged with dust, dir...
Cause 2: Damaged/Rusted Drain Pan
Got an old air conditioner (12-15 years)? The drain pan may be damaged or rusted through, so water just falls right through. You’ll need to replace...
Cause 3: Broken Condensate Pump
Is your furnace and indoor AC unit installed in the basement? If so then there is a condensate pump that pumps the water outside. But if the pump b...
Cause 4: Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the evaporator coil. When that happens, the evaporator coil gets too cold and freezes over. When it melts, i...
Cause 5: Low Refrigerant
Similar to a dirty air filter, low refrigerant will lower pressure in the AC system, causing the evaporator coil to freeze over. When the coil melt...
Is My Air Conditioner Supposed To Leak Water?
Well, it is pretty standard for your air conditioning unit to leak water a small amount of water during routine functioning since it produces condensation while it works. However, if the AC leaks do not stop in the day or the leakage is frequent and consistent, your AC has a problem that needs to be fixed.
Can We Use AC When Water Is Leaking?
Using AC when water is leaking depends on the type of problem causing the AC to leak, so you will need to first determine what type of problem you are dealing with.
How Do I Stop My AC From Dripping Water In The Future?
One of the highest priorities on your maintenance to-do list is swapping your old, dirty air filters with new (correctly sized) ones. (See our blog on changing air filter)
What happens if your AC coil freezes?
But if the coil is frozen and you’ve shut the AC off like you’re supposed to, the melting block of ice will overwhelm the drain pan and line, and water will begin leaking out.
What is the drain line on an air conditioner?
As we’ve already discussed, the drain line is connected to the drain pan and carries the condensate (water) from your air conditioner outside.
Why does my AC leak water?
AC Unit Leaking Water Due To Failed Condensate Pump. Condensate pumps exist because gravity cannot always carry the water from the drain pan outside. Your air conditioner may be below ground in a basement, or in a townhome attic with an elongated condensate line.
Why does my evaporator coil freeze?
There are two things that will cause your evaporator coil to freeze – 1) reduced airflow and 2) a refrigerant leak. When there is no warm air to get absorbed by the refrigerant in the coil, the chemical liquid does not get warm and turn into a gas. Instead, it freezes.
How does a filtered return vent work?
A filtered return vent sucks the warm humid indoor air from the living areas and blows it over the evaporator coil. The heat is absorbed by the cold refrigerant in the coil which turns it into hot gas. The air, which is now cool, is blown back into the living areas through the supply vents by a fan.
Why do polymer drain pans last longer?
Polymer drain pans – la crème de la crème. They cost less than steel and last longer. This is because they don’t rust and microbes have a hard time sticking to them, which often happens with stagnate water in a clogged drain pan (more on that later).
What causes water to leak in a condensate drain?
A clogged condensate drain line is the most common cause of water leakage. Sometimes dust and debris get lodged into the drain and stop it up , which makes water overflow into the drain pan and around your indoor unit.
Why is my air conditioner leaking water?
Your air conditioner could be leaking water because of several reasons, but here are 6 of the most common: Leaky drain pan. Filthy air filter. Clogged condensate drain line. Disconnected drain line. Lack of refrigerant. Broken condensate pump. We’ll go into more detail about each of these problems.
What causes a water leak in an air conditioner?
Once you do that, it’s time to diagnose the water problem. Your air conditioner could be leaking water because of several reasons, but here are 6 of the most common: 1 Leaky drain pan 2 Filthy air filter 3 Clogged condensate drain line 4 Disconnected drain line 5 Lack of refrigerant 6 Broken condensate pump
What does it mean when your AC drain pan is rusted?
If your drain pan (sometimes called overflow pan) is rusted and cracked, it’ll start to leak water around your indoor unit. Leaky drain pans are especially common if your AC is 12+ years old. Go to a home improvement store and ask for a drain/overflow pan. Make sure you know your AC model number.
Why does my AC leak?
How can a dirty air filter could be causing your A/C to leak, you ask? Well, it’s because a dirty filter blocks air from your AC’s evaporator coil, which makes it freeze over. When the ice melts off of the coils, the drain pan fills up with water and overflows.
Why does my AC make a hissing noise?
Lack of refrigerant. Low refrigerant levels in your AC cause the evaporator coil to freeze over (similar to dirty air filters). When the coil melts, it drips into the drain pan and makes it overflow. If you hear a hissing or bubbling noise coming from your air conditioner, it could point to a refrigerant leak. ...
Why does my AC leak water?
Sometimes a drain line can loosen over time and cause the pipe to disconnect from your air conditioner. When the drain line becomes disconnected, it leaks water into your home. Contact an AC expert to reconnect your drain line.
Why Does an AC Collect Water?
As the warm air from your home is drawn in your HVAC unit, it is blown over the cold evaporator coils, which causes it to condense, thus making it less humid.
Why does my air duct leak water?
When air cannot circulate freely throughout your system because of blockage, it will become colder inside the ducts, increasing the chances of ductwork sweating (condensation in your ducts).
What is the line that drains water outside?
The resulting moisture drips into a drain pan that leads to a condensate drain line. This line leads out of your home and drains the water outside.
Why do air conditioners have a cutoff switch?
Some modern air conditioners have a cutoff switch that shuts down the unit if it detects a clogged condensate line. This is a great option to protect your house from water damage. However, if your unit doesn’t have this option, you will have to take action yourself.
Why won't my air conditioner pump water?
If the condensate pump is broken or the float switch has malfunctioned , it won’t pump water outside the unit. As a result, the water will accumulate and start spilling from your air conditioner.
How does an HVAC system affect humidity?
The indoor AC unit consists of evaporator coils. As the warm air from your home is drawn in your HVAC unit, it is blown over the cold evaporator coils, which causes it to condense, thus making it less humid.
Where is the drain pan located?
A drain pan is located underneath your AC’s evaporator coils or in the air handler to catch condensation as it drips . From here, the water flows into the drain line and outdoors. Now, if the drain pan is damaged or rusted, the water will start to leak instead of traveling into the drain line.
Why is my air conditioner leaking?
Another common culprit of a leaking air conditioner is a clogged drainage line. This pipe is connected to the drain pan underneath your furnace and is designed to push excess moisture from the air conditioning system outside. As the drainage pipe reaches the middle or end of its lifespan, it may become clogged by materials such as sludge, minerals, or algae.
What is a condensate pump?
Condensate pumps are engineered to remove water from the drainage pan of a central air conditioning system. This type of pump is utilized with horizontal furnace configurations in condos, apartments, and town homes. Furnaces that are installed in attics will require a longer drainage pipe to push excess moisture from the air conditioning system outside. To ensure the excess water is able to be pushed outside the home, a condensate pump is used to force water from the drip pans to the drainage lines.
What happens if you have a leak in your air conditioner?
If you recently activated your central air conditioning system and discovered a leak near your indoor air handler, this may cause unnecessary stress. To prevent damage to your home, it’s vital to get to the source of the issue.
Why does my AC unit droop?
Several reasons can cause a dripping split AC indoor unit, including a blocked condensation drain pipe or disconnected drain line. Other potential causes you could handle yourself are dirty air filters or a cracked or damaged drip pan.
Why does my evaporator freeze?
If the refrigerant in the unit is low, it can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. When the coils freeze, it can lead to leaks in the indoor unit. You should never top off the refrigerant in your unit.
What to do if your drain line is not working?
This is a relatively simple fix. All you need to do is ensure that the drain line is connected to the drip pan correctly. If this does not solve the issue, the drain line might be damaged, in which case you must replace it.
Why does my split AC leak water?
Another possibility for your split AC unit’s dripping problem is a damaged or cracked drip pan. Over time, the drip pan can develop holes or other issues, either from rust, corrosion, or other wear. When this happens, the water will simply leak through these compromised areas.
How to fill a drip pan with epoxy?
Once the drip pan is empty, examine it closely with the flashlight. Ensure you locate every hole and crack, and use the epoxy glue to fill all of these areas. Follow the directions on the particular glue that you use, and allow the glue to dry for the recommended time.
Why is my AC drain line blocked?
How to Fix a Blocked Condensation Drain Line. As your AC runs, over time, water accumulates inside from condensation, which is normal. This is why the unit has a condensation drain line. However, sometimes, the buildup of various materials, like mold, sludge, algae, and other debris can block the AC’s drain line.
What happens when your AC drips?
When your AC sucks the humidity out of the air, it collects in the drip pan. The water that collects in the drain pan then flows out through the drain line. But, if the drain line gets disconnected or is connected wrong, then the drip pan will eventually overflow. This overflow turns into a leak inside of your home.
How does an evaporator work?
The evaporator converts hot air into moist air or water, then transports it to the drain pan from where it collects by drainpipes and moves it towards the roof.
Why do you have to go on the roof of a camper?
As a result, more water leaks from the air conditioning. You must go on the roof of the camper because the evaporator coils are present there. You can clean by removing all the screws and bolts that held the shroud in its place. There is another covering attach with the drain pan unscrew it and remove it.
How does a camper coil work?
They absorb heat from the hot air and pass it to the cold evaporator coils. The coil converts them into cool air and sends them inside the camper.
Why does my RV water dripping inside?
There are drain holes present in the water collecting tray. The blockage of these holes also affects the air conditioning work , and it starts dripping inside the RV.
Why does my camper have a dripping system?
It will start the dripping process inside the camper make it prone to water damages. The system also pushes the cold refreshing air in the interior compartment with the help of air vents.
Why does my AC drip?
The problem that increases the dripping of your AC is the gasket being too loose or too tight. Your gasket must have approximately a distance of one-inch space. This space between the gasket and air conditioning will help to expel the water out.
How does a gasket compress?
The gasket compresses easily with the help of bolts. The manufacturer decides to make this gasket tight or loose.
Why is my window AC leaking?
Condensation drain obstruction is the most common cause of window air conditioner leaking outside the house. Cause of window AC leakage: Condensation drain is partially or permanently blocked. Everything from dirt, mold, leaves, or even dead animals like bees can clog the condensation drain.
How to fix condensation drain?
How to fix condensation drain blockage: Simple. You have to remove the blockage. Open the backside of the window AC unit and try locating the condensation drain. If you see that it’s blocked, use something thin – a needle, toothpick, thin screwdriver – and release the blockage by basically inserting the thin object into the drain and wiggling it around.
Why is water leaking from my AC unit?
In 1 out of every 3 or even 2 cases, the water is leaking from the front of the window AC unit due to blocked condensation drain. Luckily, this is the easiest leakage cause to solve.
How to fix a damaged condensate pan?
But if you want to stop the window air conditioner leakage yourself, you can use water-resistant glue or resin to close that gap in the bottom of the window AC unit.
What is the worst thing about a window AC?
The window air conditioner leaking water seems to be one of the worst window AC problems. While you’re thinking about where the water is coming from and how to stop the leakage, the water is dripping and destroying your inside wall, carpet, and furniture. Don’t panic.
How to stop a window AC unit from leaking?
But if you want to stop the window air conditioner leakage yourself, you can use water-resistant glue or resin to close that gap in the bottom of the window AC unit. If you have an older unit and the cause of the condensate pan is due to corrosion, you might have to close more than one gas in the pan.
Where is the refrigerant coil located?
When they melt, you will see the window air conditioner leaking water inside the house (refrigerant coil is located near the indoor side of window AC). How to fix the low refrigerant levels: This may sound a daunting task but with some technical skills you can put the freon in the refrigerant lines yourself.
