Posted by: Chris Laney on September 6, 2019

Why is My AC Unit Leaking Water?

Summers in Fort Wayne can be brutal, and air conditioning is a must! If you notice that there's water leaking from your air conditioning unit when you start to run it during the summer months, it's time to take a deeper look into the cause of the problem to prevent the issue from escalating into something larger.

Places To Check For Leaking Air Conditioning

A great way to stop problems before they start is by keeping your HVAC system maintained and serviced by a professional yearly. Here are some other tips to help with a leaky air conditioner.

1. Check the drain pan. Start by checking the drain pan. Noticing leaks in the basement of your home may be due to a cracked or missing drain pan. This piece of your air conditioning unit is typically found under the evaporator coil. The purpose of the drain pan is to collect the condensation that collects from your indoor unit. If this is rusted, cracked, or otherwise destroyed, it will not be able to perform its job properly, resulting in a puddle on the floor.
2. Clogged Drain Line. The air condition unit is not just built to keep your home cool. It also regulates the humidity in your home, which means it pulls away the excess water – creating condensation. If the condensation accumulates in the air vent, the drain line can become clogged. This tends to happen if the AC unit is in your attic or upper level of your home. Check your drain pan – if it's overflowing, it is a sign of a clogged drain line.
3. Water Dripping from the Ceiling. If you notice leaks in your ceiling, this could be from condensation around the air vents. This is caused from air escaping around the vents instead of through them as they typically should. If air escapes around the grates, condensation can form and start to drip down the wall and onto the ceiling.
4. Check the Air Filter. Another reason for ceiling leaks could be a dirty air filter. The AC will free up if the filter is dirty, again, caused by condensation.
5. Speaking of Freezing. Check the evaporator coils. When you notice water pooling around your AC unit, ice on the evaporator coils could be the culprit. As you run the unit, the coils will freeze, causing the unit to stop blowing cold air. When you turn the unit off, the ice will melt – and voila – instant leak.

Dealing with Water Damage from a Leaky AC Unit

Once you notice the AC Unit has been leaking for a while, it's time to dig deeper and see how much damage the leak has caused. It only takes a few hours for mold to start forming on water logged areas of your home, and if you've gone for days without noticing the water from your AC leak, you could be experiencing a mold problem without realizing it.

Water Out Fort Wayne specializes in water damage restoration, and will quickly begin the dry out process of your home. We will handle the clean up and recovery, and even work with your insurance company if necessary.

Our team is ready to go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since water damage doesn't fit into your schedule. We are ready to go when you need us – call us now to begin water damage clean up right away.