If you recently activated your central air conditioning system and discovered a leak near your indoor air handler, this may cause unnecessary stress. To prevent damage to your home, it’s vital to get to the source of the issue.
Fixing a leak in your air conditioner may be an easy task for an individual that is familiar with the heating and cooling equipment in their home. On the other hand, most people will require assistance from a certified technician to fix an air conditioner leak. To help you diagnose the problem, we’ve outlined the top causes of air conditioner leaks and how to fix them.
Leaking or Full Drain Pan
The first thing you should do when an air conditioner is leaking water in your house is navigate to your electrical panel to deactivate the system. If there is water near your furnace while the air conditioner is activated, this may be caused by a fracture in the drain pan. Grab a flashlight to inspect the drainage pan for cracks or holes. Once you find the damaged area of the pan, utilize a water adhesive to temporarily fix the fracture.
This will allow you to use your central air conditioning system for a couple of days while you wait for your replacement drain pan to come in the mail. If you’re replacing the drainage pan that is located underneath the furnace, you will need special tools to remove it. Since this pan is intended to be permanent, it is not easy to disassemble. Contact a professional technician in your area to receive emergency help with fixing an air conditioner that is leaking water.
You may also notice water near your indoor air handling unit due to a moderate to severe crack in the drain lines that are connected to the drainage pan. To resolve this problem, the drain pipe may need to be replaced. Since it is not easy to replace a drainage pipe, this problem should be handled by a certified contractor.
Blockage in Drainage Pipes
Another common culprit of a leaking air conditioner is a clogged drainage line. This pipe is connected to the drain pan underneath your furnace and is designed to push excess moisture from the air conditioning system outside. As the drainage pipe reaches the middle or end of its lifespan, it may become clogged by materials such as sludge, minerals, or algae.
If this pipe becomes clogged, the water from your system will be unable to be pushed outside and will begin to overflow from the drain pan. To unclog the pipe, grab your vacuum cleaner and walk to your outdoor air conditioner unit. Disconnect the drainage line and connect your vacuum hose to it. If you don’t have an adapter to connect your vacuum hose to the air conditioner drainage line, you will need to order one online. Finding and fixing a blockage in your drainage line is not an easy task. We recommend contacting a licensed technician to restore the flow of water in the drainage pipe.
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Ice on Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coil of a central air conditioning system relies on continuous airflow to provide cold air to your home. When an air filter becomes clogged with dirt and dust, it may prevent the air in your ductwork from reaching the indoor air handling system. This will cause a layer of frost to form on the evaporator coils in your home. If you notice your air conditioner is leaking water onto the flooring, this may be caused by excess moisture on your evaporator coils.
To prevent further damage to your floors and walls, keep the air conditioner off for an hour to allow the ice to melt on the evaporator coils. Prematurely activating the system may cause extensive damage to the compressor. Once the frost has melted, activate your air conditioner to confirm it’s operating properly. To avoid the negative consequences of an air conditioner that is leaking water, we recommend replacing your fiberglass air filters once a month. Premium pleated air filters should be replaced twice a year to prevent air conditioner issues.
Broken Condensate Pump
Condensate pumps are engineered to remove water from the drainage pan of a central air conditioning system. This type of pump is utilized with horizontal furnace configurations in condos, apartments, and town homes. Furnaces that are installed in attics will require a longer drainage pipe to push excess moisture from the air conditioning system outside. To ensure the excess water is able to be pushed outside the home, a condensate pump is used to force water from the drip pans to the drainage lines.
As the condensate pump reaches the end of its lifespan, its pipes may crack. Other types of problems may also prevent the pump from working properly. If the condensate pump is not replaced or fixed quickly, excess water in the drainage pan from the system will overflow and cause damage to your ceiling, roof, drywall, and furniture. If your air conditioner is leaking due to a malfunctioning condensate pump, call technician to receive assistance with an air conditioner repair or tune-up.
Air Conditioner Repair, Tune-Up, & Installation Services in Pennsylvania
The staff at WM Henderson have the skills, equipment, tools, and resources required to fix all types of air conditioner water leaks. Give us a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 or book an appointment online to receive help. We provide air conditioner repair, tune-up, replacement, and installation services to homes in Pennsylvania. Our licensed technicians have the tools and skills to resolve the problem with your air conditioner. Our team also provides other HVAC services including furnace repair, heat pump installation, and ductless mini-split system replacement. WM Henderson provides HVAC solutions in areas of Pennsylvania including Coatesville, West Chester, Conshohocken, and Broomall.
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