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5 Reasons Why Your AC is Leaking Water and How to Fix It

Written by Cameron Bates

Published on July 14, 2023

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5 Reasons Why Your AC is Leaking Water and How to Fix It

There are many reasons why your AC may be leaking water. Some common causes include clogged drain lines, low refrigerant levels, dirty air filters, and damaged drain pans. Read on to learn more about how to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

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If you have noticed that your air conditioner has been leaking water where it shouldn't, you’re probably wondering what the problem is and how to fix it.

There could be several reasons why your AC is dripping, whether it be a clogged drain line, a dirty air filter, or possibly even incorrect installation. Some of these problems will require immediate attention from a professional, while others you may be able to fix yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common reasons why your AC is leaking and provide you with some solutions.

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Dirty or damaged air filters

A dirty or clogged-up air filter is one of the most common causes of your air conditioner leaking water. Your AC’s air filter can quickly accumulate large amounts of dirt and dust, which can cause a chain of events that leads to water leaking from your AC unit.

Firstly, a dirty air filter can block the airflow moving toward the evaporator coil. When air cannot reach the evaporator coil, it becomes extremely cold and even starts to freeze. As the temperature inevitably rises around the evaporator coil, it will begin to melt, and the excess water can become too much for the unit to handle.

How to fix it

In most cases, the way to fix a dirty or clogged air filter is simply to replace it with a new one. Filter placement can vary by model, so refer to your operator’s manual to find your unit’s filter. You will also find that most HVAC companies will recommend that your AC’s air filter be replaced every three months

If your air filters are reusable, you can forget about buying new ones and instead just remove the filters, give them a thorough clean, and they will be as good as new ones.

Leaking refrigerant

Without getting into the fine details of how your air conditioning unit works, as the level of your refrigerant gets lower, so will the pressure inside your AC. This can cause your evaporator coils to reach below-freezing temperatures and freeze over. Once it starts to heat up again, the ice will melt, and your unit can begin to leak.

The refrigerant in your AC is also responsible for transferring the hot air inside of your home to the outside. So, if you notice that as well as leaking water, the air being expelled from your AC starts cooling but gradually getting warmer, it’s a good sign that your refrigerant is the issue.

How to fix it 

If your AC’s refrigerant is leaking, you should first call a technician and have them fix the problem. While there are some leaks that you may be able to tend to yourself, we recommend hiring a professional, as refrigerant can be dangerous for a novice to handle. 

Time is also of the essence when it comes to a refrigerant leak, so as soon as you notice a problem, you should call a technician. Leaving the problem could lead to other serious issues or require a completely new AC unit.

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Clogged drain line

Your AC’s drain line, or the condensate drain, transfers any condensation produced by your evaporator coil from inside your AC to outside your home.

Often, your AC unit leaks water because the condensate drain line has been clogged up due to the build-up of dirt, dust, and debris. This prevents the condensation from exiting where it should and results in your AC overflowing and leaking inside your home.

How to fix it

In most cases, a clogged drain line will be a relatively easy fix, with a wet-dry vac usually being able to remove any of the dirt or debris from the drain pipe. If this does not stop your AC from leaking, it may mean further issues with your HVAC system, and you should get a technician to inspect it.

Incorrect installation

While all the potential causes we have listed so far are due to a damaged or malfunctioning part, the cause could also come down to human error. In this instance, we are talking about an incorrect installation of your AC unit.

If you have just invested in a new AC system and it has started leaking water within a few days, there is a high likelihood of an error in the installation. It may be that your AC’s drain line has not been attached correctly, or the indoor unit isn’t level, causing the water to flow in the wrong direction.

How to fix it

To rectify this issue, you will need to get in contact with an AC professional. They will either fix the presumed installation error or notify you of the actual source of the problem.

Damaged drain pan

A damaged or faulty drain pan is another common cause of a leaking AC unit. The drain pan, or drip pan, collects any excess water generated from the evaporator coil and ensures the water is safely disposed of outside.

If your drain pan has rusted or is otherwise damaged, the water it collects can easily leak into places it is not supposed to.

How to fix it

The best fix for a rusty or cracked drain pan will usually be a replacement. Drain pans can cost between $150 and $650 and, just by following the instructions, can be easily replaced yourself. Just remember that when it comes to drain pans, it is not one size fits all, so you will need to find the one that matches your AC unit.

You can also stop the drain pan from leaking by applying a sealant to the cracks. However, this is a short-term fix, and you will likely face the same issue again.

Getting your AC serviced

Depending on the type and brand of your air conditioning system, it will require either annual or biannual maintenance. A licensed AC company should perform the maintenance in order for the unit’s warranty to remain intact. However, nothing is stopping you from regularly cleaning the AC and checking the air filters for dust and debris.

During a typical AC maintenance call, the HVAC technician will inspect and cleans the inside and outdoor units, change or cleans the filter, and cleans the unit’s drains. Getting your AC serviced will cost between $227 and $422, which is well worth considering the costly AC repairs it can help you avoid down the line.

Is your AC leaking water?

If your AC is dripping water, we strongly recommend contacting an HVAC technician as soon as possible. While there are some issues that you can rectify yourself with DIY solutions, getting a professional to inspect your unit will guarantee that the problem will be identified and fixed correctly.

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Written by

Cameron Bates Content Specialist

Cameron Bates is a Content Specialist at Fixr.com.