Summer weather is here and you may discover your unit is leaking water. A small amount of water may be normal, depending on how hard your system is working. But significant leakage, or a problem that lasts longer than a day, could signal a bigger problem.
There are four main reasons a central air conditioning system leaks:
- One frequent cause of water leaking from your air conditioning unit is a clogged condensate drain line. You may have noticed a small, dripping line on the outside. It is the condensate drain, which helps remove condensation produced by the evaporator coil. The drain line may become clogged with dirt, dust, or sludge, causing the water to back up into your house. There are a few possible methods to clear a clogged line, but you may wish to contact your service professional, who will have the necessary equipment to unclog the line.
- The overflow pan catches any condensation from the air conditioning unit. The pan may be damaged and need replacement.
- A dirty or clogged filter can cause ice to form on the evaporator coils. When the ice melts, you have a leak. You should inspect the filter every month when running your air conditioner. It is also good to have a service professional clean the evaporator coils annually as part of a routine maintenance visit.
- Over time, your drain pipe fittings may loosen, and disconnect from the air conditioning unit. A service professional can determine whether the primary or secondary drain pipe is the problem and make necessary repairs.
For more information, please contact us. We are here to help.