Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

Is your air conditioner leaking water inside your home? This is a common problem reported to our AC service in St. Louis, MO. If you’ve discovered water where it shouldn’t be, this can be caused by one of several issues.

Use the following guide to better understand what’s happening with your AC unit and how a professional can repair it. No matter what the cause may be, you should shut down your unit until it can be repaired to avoid further damage to your HVAC system and your home:

  • Clog: Your AC unit includes a drain line that is designed to take the condensation that forms on your air conditioner out of the home. If this line gets clogged, the water will back up into your home. The line can become clogged with dust, sludge, mold or other debris. You may be able to unclog the line with a wet/dry vacuum. However, the most effective method is to call your AC service in St. Louis, MO to use a specialized vacuum to remove the blockage.
  • Damage: The AC drain line is designed to bring the moisture to a drain pan. Over time, these drain pans can wear out. It may become damaged or it may rust. If this is the case, the pan will no longer effectively hold water, and you will find moisture in your home instead of in the pan. You will need to replace the drain pan to repair the issue.
  • Break: Some AC units are located inside and feature a condensate pump that pumps the water to the exterior of the home. In some cases, these pumps fail and stop pumping water out of the home. If this happens, you’ll experience moisture in the basement around the unit, and you will need to replace or repair the pump to solve the problem.
  • Dirt: If your air conditioner is leaking, you should check the air filter. If this is dirty, the airflow can’t get to the evaporator coil, and the coil can freeze. When it melts, the moisture often overflows from the unit into your home. Remember to change your filter every one to three months to maintain healthy airflow and prevent leaks.
  • Leak: Another common reason for AC leaks is low refrigerant levels. If your unit doesn’t have enough coolant, the evaporator coil will freeze over. Similar to a dirty air filter, this situation causes the coil to freeze, then melt, sending excess moisture overflowing from your unit into your home. If the coolant is leaking, you’ll need to repair it right away or possibly replace the AC unit.

Get Answers Today

A leaky air conditioner is not something that can be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these issues, contact your AC service in St. Louis, MO right away. The professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling are ready to assist you. Since 1999, Ashley Brothers has been the go-to source for residential and commercial AC services in the St. Louis and Jefferson County area.

We specialize in the installation of new equipment, heating and cooling repair and furnace cleaning. Reach out to us today to learn more!