Reasons For Water Leaking From AC And Possible Solutions

Imagine returning home from a long day of work, turning on the air conditioning to unwind, only to find a puddle of water in front of you. It might be quite terrifying to see water dripping from your air conditioning machine. You don't want a sloppy pool of water inside, let alone the dreaded expense of AC servicing!

This situation is unusual even though your air conditioner eliminates moisture from the air. On the contrary, a water leak from an AC could indicate a serious issue. As soon as you discover a leak, turn off your air conditioner and contact assistance as soon as you can.

If you continue to use your air conditioner, water buildup could lead to problems. Therefore, before taking any action to address the issue, you must first be aware of the causes of the AC's water leak and potential fixes. 

Stay Dry and Cool: A Guide to Preventing AC Water Leaks

Bangladesh's summer heat has made air conditioners a staple of every household. One can't survive a day without it! So, if you ever notice water trickling from your air conditioner, you start to worry and get anxious about it. This article focuses on the causes of AC water leaks and potential fixes. 

Reasons For Water Leaking From AC

In normal circumstances, the water released by an air conditioner is properly evacuated without leakage, but various factors might lead to this water leaking. Following are 8 potential causes of AC water leakage. 

• Full or Damaged Drain Pan

A clogged drain pan is the most frequent cause of an AC system leak. A drain pan is situated beneath your air conditioner's evaporator coils or in the air handler to catch moisture when it drips. The water then goes into the drain line and outside. If the air is humid and there is a lot of moisture building up in the drain pan, it could overflow. Your AC unit starts to leak water as a result of this overflow.

Now, if the drain pan is corroded or damaged, the water will begin to leak rather than go down the drain line. Your air conditioner will begin to age when it is about 15-20 years old, and one common indicator of aging is a rusty drain. Over time, the drain pan could become rusty, allowing water to seep from your air conditioner.

• Not Enough Refrigerant 

Low to no refrigerant levels may reduce the pressure inside your air conditioner and lead to refrigerant leakage. The temperature of the air being exhaled will be the first sign when this starts to happen. It won't be as chilly as it was previously. Additionally, frozen evaporator coils are another consequence of low refrigerant levels. Your air conditioner's evaporator coils are what turn the liquid it produces into vapor. 

This is the vapor that the device releases to cool the region around it. Insufficient refrigerant prevents the coils from being powered up to perform their function. The coils eventually start to freeze as a result of this. At first, this won't be a problem, but as it begins to warm up once more, the frozen material will melt and result in an air conditioner leak.

• Clogged Condensate Drain Line
  

This is one of the most frequent causes of an AC leak. During the dehumidifying process, your unit collects moisture, which includes dirt and debris.  If the condensate drain line is not maintained regularly, this might build up and result in a blockage over time.

Over time, water will begin to accumulate in your unit, eventually building up to the point where it overflows the drain pan inside your home. A cutoff valve on some contemporary air conditioners causes the unit to shut off if it notices a congested drain line. 

This is a fantastic choice for safeguarding your home against water damage. You will need to take action on your own, though, if your unit lacks this feature.

• Damaged Condensate Pump or Float Switch

It's not always very simple for water to get out of your drain line if your central unit is located in a position like a basement or far-off attic. Here, draining water from the system is made possible by the condensate pump. The float switch on the pump is activated when the water level within the condensate pump tank increases.

After that, water is drained outside of your house by the condensate pump. It won't pump water outside the unit if the condensate pump is damaged or the float switch isn't working properly. Due to the accumulation of water, your air conditioner will start to leak water.

• Condensation Build-Up

Condensation is a frequent result of your air conditioner's dehumidifying activity. However, an excessive buildup of moisture can cause an air conditioner to spill water from air ducts or vents. Your home's insulation may become saturated and become damaged. Additionally, it may worsen your indoor air quality by facilitating the growth of mold in air ducts.

There are several causes for condensation buildup. Insufficient insulation allows warm air to condense on the chilly surface of air ducts. The same issue can arise if your ducting runs through an attic that is inadequately or inadequately insulated.

Other factors that contribute to water leaking from air ducts include clogged ducts, unclean air filters, and a jammed drain pump. It will get colder within the ducts when there is a restriction in the airflow through your system, which increases the likelihood of condensation. Condensation accumulation is more likely to occur during summer months of high humidity. Humidity levels can be further elevated by roof leaks and poor ventilation. 

Furthermore, these issues usually skyrockets your electricity bills, which is why you should opt for an inverter AC for your space to minimize the utility bills.

• Frozen Evaporator Coil

A dirty evaporator coil can cause the components of your air conditioner to freeze. As the ice thaws, water leaks may occur, especially when the unit is turned off. If you notice your air conditioner leaking water inside your home, it is a sign that it has frozen. To prevent further damage, wait for the ice to melt before cleaning the evaporator coil.

• Dirty Air Filter

Your air filter is another frequently occurring source of water pouring from your air conditioner. Since the evaporator coils are another essential component of the air conditioner, accumulated dirt might prohibit the air filter from doing its job and giving power to them.

A clogged air filter might result in coils freezing over, which is a similar effect to not having enough refrigerant. But this time, the coils aren't getting enough airflow, thus it's a problem. It becomes too cold and freezes up once more in the absence of airflow.

• Incorrect AC Installation

Leakage from your air conditioner can be caused by faulty installation. If the AC and drain pipes are not proportionate, the water flow from the drain pan can be disrupted, resulting in water leakage.

Similarly, a central air conditioner that is not leveled can also cause water leakage into the home. If a window unit is placed completely flat, water will also start to drip inside, causing a big mess.

Here are 5 possible solutions to fix the issue 

01. Seal or Replace the Drain Pan

A damaged drain pan must be meticulously and firmly sealed. After thoroughly cleaning the drain pan, find the cracks with a torch and some water. Fill up the cracks with a high-quality water-resistant sealer, then pour some more water on top to see how well it holds up. A rusty drain pan should ideally be replaced. For your AC to function effectively, any kind of drain pan won't do; it must be the proper size.

02. Clean the Drain Line

Additionally, you must regularly clear your drain pipe. 

1. Find the drain pan and turn off your appliance to check for any standing water. To stop the growth of mold, empty and thoroughly clean the drain pan.

2. Find the drain line and assess its clogging. The pipe should then be thoroughly scrubbed with an extended wire bristle to eliminate any filth. Depending on how badly clogged it is, a specialized pump can be needed. Pour some water into it to ensure it comes out the other end smoothly to see whether it is clean. 

3. Run bleach down the drain pipe to clean the condensate drain line as an aspect of your maintenance schedule every six months. Additionally, it will help keep mold from growing and eradicate pathogens. Do not, however, raise your routine as doing so can make rust more likely.

03. Fix Condensation Build-Up

Condensation build-up can cause water leaks from the AC. For this, your ducting should first be insulated. Warm air won't be able to penetrate insulated ductwork and enter the cold ducts. If your ductwork is already sealed, look for any defects and make any necessary repairs right away. To stop outside air from leaking in, the insulation needs to be installed around the ducts. Especially if the ducting runs through your attic, be sure to insulate it. Contact a roofing professional to fix the leaky roof and reduce the likelihood of condensation. As it clears out particles and dirt from your system, keeping up with your AC cleaning can also help avoid problems with water leaks.  

04. Clean the Air Filter

The answer to filthy air filters and frozen evaporator coils is to clean your air filter. Examine the air filters, return vents, ducts, fin coils, and other components if there is an obstruction in the airflow. Cleaning them improves airflow, addresses freezing, and may stop your air conditioner from dripping water.

Your air conditioner's refrigerant level may be low if cleaning the filters doesn't fix the issue. The evaporator coils get too cold when there is insufficient refrigerant, which causes ice to form. Water begins to drip from your device as it melts. Unfortunately, you can't take care of this problem yourself; a professional will have to find the source of the leak, stop it, and replace the refrigerant.

05. Correct Installation

If none of the solutions works, your AC is probably not properly installed. You need a flat platform for the central air conditioner. Applying an AC pad will help with this issue if it is on an uneven surface. The front of a window air conditioner should be slanted upward from the front so that water drains outside rather than pouring inside. Always make sure a qualified expert is performing the work while installing a new device. Maintaining your air conditioner regularly is also important. 

Sometimes, the problem may lie with the AC itself. This issue may come up if the quality of the AC is not up to the market. To ensure you are getting a quality AC that will leave you greatly satisfied, choose Haier. 

Summary

Air conditioners that leak water typically have an underlying issue, which makes them problematic in more ways than one. The most frequent causes include an overflowing or damaged drain pan, insufficient refrigerant, a blocked condensate drain line, a broken condensate pump or float switch, condensation buildup, a frozen evaporator coil, clogged air filters, and improper air installation.

Fixing the condensation buildup, sealing or replacing the drain pan, cleaning the drain line, and replacing the air filter are a few potential remedies. If nothing works, your AC may not be installed correctly. Therefore, you must install it properly and often do servicing to keep the AC in mint condition for lower electricity bills.

Haier, one of the most prominent brands, manufactures high-quality, high-end air conditioners that will keep you cool in hot and humid conditions. Also, Haier brings the affordability in AC prices in Bangladesh. So, what are you waiting for, visit your nearest Haier outlet or call us for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• If I see a small water leak coming from my air conditioner, should I call a service right away?

A small amount of water dripping from an AC unit while it is operating is typical. How much your air conditioner drips depends on a few things, including the season, humidity, and temperature. 

• When is dripping AC water regarded as a leak?

So, even while it's off, your air conditioner shouldn't ever leak water. That is a very clear warning flag that must not be disregarded.

• What are the main reasons for AC water leakage? 

The most common reasons for water leaking from air conditioners include damaged drain pans, clogged drain lines, problems with the air filter, frozen evaporator coils, and faulty condensate pumps.

• What are the potential remedies for water leaks from air conditioners? 

The majority of the time, water leaks from air conditioners are not a sign of more serious issues. However, the remedies that might work depend on what caused the water leak. You shouldn't have any issues, though, if your AC is set up and maintained correctly.