Reasons and Solutions If Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water Outside
Inland Empire Comfort
September 17, 2021
Some water leaking from your air conditioner is normal, but how do you know what is normal and what type of leak is a cause for concern? When you notice the air conditioner leaking water outside, you need the expertise of an HVAC professional.
There are several reasons why you may see water leaking from the unit, but you should never ignore water coming out of the AC unit. The last thing you need is for the air conditioner to quit working on a hot day.
The trained technicians at Inland Empire Comfort will evaluate your AC unit to determine the problem. Learn more about air conditioning repairs that can bring your HVAC system back to excellent working order.
What Are the Causes of Water Leaking from My AC Unit?
Some water leaking is regular, but how much is too much? When you see a small amount of water leaking near the outside drain line, that is a sign that your HVAC system is working hard. If you see a puddle underneath the unit itself, this is not a good sign.
Here are some possible causes of water leaking from the air conditioner:
- Drain Pipe blockage: Water circulates throughout your AC unit and drains through a designated pipe. If this pipe is blocked, the water will find another way out – a problem that needs a professional solution.
- Dirty air filter: Regularly replacing the air filters is essential to maintaining a well-performing HVAC system. A dirty air filter can lead to a blockage or the evaporator coils freezing up. Excess water will overflow from the drain pan and leave a puddle beneath the unit.
- Refrigerant is low: Another cause of the evaporator coils freezing up is when the refrigerant is too low in your HVAC system. The lowered pressure causes the coils to freeze, which results in water overflowing the drain pan.
- Cracked drain pan: When your air conditioning system is older, the drain pan might rust and crack. When this happens, water leaks from the pan.
- Clogged condensation line: When your AC unit removes humidity from the air, it drains into the condensation line. If the condensation line is clogged, the water will find a way to get out and leave you with a water leak problem.
What You Can Do While Waiting for Service
Having an AC unit that is leaking water is stressful, but there are some actions you can take while you wait for professional service. First, turn off the AC unit.
You can also go to the indoor unit of your home and look at the evaporator coils. If there is ice covering the coils, you’ll need service from a professional. Make the area accessible for the technician and ensure the space around the unit is clear of dirt and debris.
What Will Technicians Do During AC Service
The first thing our Inland Empire Comfort technician will do is inspect for the air conditioner leaking water outside, a clear indicator that the system is not working correctly and needs maintenance.
When they find a puddle of water beneath the unit, they must evaluate the following places to determine the actual problem for an accurate fix:
- Air Filter Check: Our trained technician will check the air filter for replacement. When it is dirty or clogged with dust and gunk, this can be a culprit for leaks.
- Drain Pan Check: If the drain pan is old or missing, the condensation line is not connected to the drain line that removes the water from the HVAC unit.
- Refrigerant Check: Low refrigerant leads to low pressures inside the coils, which causes them to freeze.
- Drain Line Check: A drain line can clog with dust, dirt, and mold, preventing the water from draining out as it should.
- Outside Unit Check: When the water is leaking outside, our technician will check to see where the water is coming from and investigate from there. Water leaking and puddling under the outside unit is a problem that can turn into something costly to repair.
- Condensate Drain Check: The condensate drain is the way humidity is removed from the air in your home. The evidence of a clogged condensate drain is clear:
- Newer systems shut off when the condensate line is clogged. This protects your home from water leaking and ruining walls and floors.
- The condensate line flows to the outside of the house. If the weather is humid and you don’t see dripping, this is a sign that you need professional service.
- If you notice water stains or leaking on the floor or ceiling below the AC unit, this is a sign of trouble.
Should I Wait to Get My Unit Serviced?
Your heating and air conditioning system is a critical part of your home. Waiting to have your leaking air conditioning unit checked by a professional is risky and can lead to an expensive fix or possible AC unit replacement.
You might try to save money by making minor DIY fixes to stop the water leaking, but this only delays service. Don’t put off service that can prolong the life of your HVAC system because you are worried about the cost of repairs. Taking care of a simple repair will cost significantly less than a brand new HVAC system.
Air Conditioning Repair Services
Discovering your air conditioner leaking water outside is never a welcome sight, but Inland Empire Comfort has technicians standing by to repair your ac unit. When you need a professional who can diagnose the problem and recommend a repair that will get your air conditioning up and running again, Inland Empire Comfort offers Riverside air conditioning repair.
Our technicians know the difference between normal water leaking from the correct drains and a serious problem that needs repair. Count on
Inland Empire Comfort to return your home to the cool and comfortable place you need when the weather is hot by calling
(951) 336-8709.
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