Why Is My AC Leaking Water?

Modern air conditioner unit service cleaning the filter to prevent respiratory disease.

Is there water next to your condensate drain line? Are you worried because you noticed water near your evaporator coils? 

If your AC is leaking water, the best air conditioner repair services in Fort Collins can help. Leaks can stem from many causes, so it’s important to diagnose the underlying reason so that you can get it repaired.

What Causes an AC to Leak Water? 

There are many different issues that can cause an air conditioner to leak water. If your AC breaks down during hot weather, 24-hour emergency repair help can get your AC working again. 

Dirty Air Filters

When your air filter gets dirty or clogged, it decreases the airflow that travels over the evaporator coils. Eventually, a lack of airflow can cause the coils to freeze. If the ice starts to melt, you may notice puddles of water. Additionally, the air conditioner will only blow warm air. 

Fortunately, there is an easy solution. If the underlying problem is a dirty air filter, you simply need to clean or replace the filter. Typically, you should do this every 30 to 90 days. Each filter manufacturer has different guidelines, so you should check to find out how often your air filters need to be replaced.

After the air filters have been cleaned, you’ll need to wait for your AC to unfreeze. Then, you can turn it back on. 

Low Refrigerant Levels 

Low refrigerant levels generally happen when there is some type of leak in the refrigerant system. Often, these leaks are due to a faulty valve, fitting, or the evaporator coil. 

No matter what the cause is, low refrigerant levels will make your system work harder. It can also cause water vapor to freeze on the evaporator coil. When the ice eventually melts, it can cause puddles of water. 

To solve this problem, you need to call a professional HVAC technician. In order to recharge refrigerants, an individual must have a professional certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Once the technician arrives for Air Conditioning services, they can find and fix any refrigerant leaks. Then, they can recharge the refrigerant so that your AC unit doesn’t freeze in the future. 

Faulty Drain Lines

If you have a faulty drain line, it could be causing a water leak. The condensate drain line can become blocked or clogged by debris.

Normally, the condensate drain line is responsible for draining excess moisture from your home. If the drain line is too clogged to do this, it can end up leaking water and causing puddles to form. 

Fortunately, a qualified technician can easily fix this issue. After your repair work is done, make sure to schedule an annual AC tune-up. During your air conditioning maintenance appointment, the HVAC technician will clean the drain line and remove blockages, so you are less likely to have a clog in the future.

Damaged Drain Pan 

Over time, the drain pan can become damaged. This is more common in older air conditioners because the drain pan can rust if it is exposed to water for long enough.

Normally, the drain pan collects the condensation that is created when warm air circulates around the evaporator coils. The pan is designed with holes in the walls or bottom so that it can slowly empty some of the water into the drain line. 

If the drain pan rusts or develops a crack, the water can end up spilling out. You can see this in action when you open the AC panel to check out your system’s drain pan. 

To handle a damaged drain pan, an HVAC technician will typically clean up the liquid and replace the drain pan. They may also inspect the condensate drain line because clogged lines can cause the drain pan to flood. 

Until you talk to the HVAC technician during your emergency AC repair, you should generally turn your AC off. If the condensate drain line is clogged, the flooding will continue until the clog is removed. 

Ways to Maintain Your Air Conditioner 

Ductless System Maintenance

Between AC tune-ups, you can do the following to keep your air conditioner in optimal condition.

  • Clean or change your filters according to the manufacturer’s specifications. 
  • Get rid of dirt and plants around your outdoor AC unit. 
  • Pay attention to smells, sounds, or other unusual symptoms. 
  • Get routine AC maintenance every year. 
  • Clean evaporator and condenser coils. 
  • Make sure your home’s insulation is well-maintained. 

Proper maintenance can help your air conditioner have a longer lifespan. Plus, it can help you save money. Maintenance is more affordable than getting an AC replacement and repairs. Each tune-up is also an opportunity for the HVAC technician to spot problems before they spiral into major repair costs.

Diagnose and Repair Your AC Problems

Through the top air conditioner repair Fort Collins residents can get, you can quickly diagnose the cause of your water leaks. You can also discuss the best course of action for repairing your air conditioner. Afterward, you can schedule annual AC maintenance to prevent this problem from happening again.

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Contact the experts at Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

Call us at 970-345-3361!