On this job, the AC was leaking water because the unit was packed with dirt and the condensate drain line was clogged. Water that should have drained outside backed up inside the unit and ran out onto the floor. Clearing the line, replacing a damaged section of it, and cleaning the unit stopped the leak.
A customer called about water coming out from under his air conditioner. That symptom almost always means the condensate has nowhere to go, and this case was no exception. If you’re seeing an AC leaking water indoors, the drain system is the first thing to check.
Why was the AC leaking water?
The drain line was blocked, and the unit itself was heavily fouled with dirt. Every air conditioner pulls moisture out of the air as it cools. That water collects in a pan and flows out through a drain line. When dirt builds up inside the unit, it washes down into that line and eventually plugs it. The water kept collecting with no way out, so it overflowed and started running out of the unit.
How did I fix it?
Three things: I cleared the clogged tubing, replaced a section of the drain line that wasn’t worth saving, and cleaned the dirt out of the unit itself. Cleaning the unit matters as much as clearing the line. If you flush the tubing but leave the dirt inside, the same debris washes back down and clogs it again within a season. The customer was happy with the result, and the leak stopped.
What can you safely check yourself?
You can look at where the drain line exits the unit and see whether any water is coming out while the AC runs. If the system is cooling and nothing is dripping from the drain outlet, the line is likely blocked. You can also check and replace your air filter, since a dirty filter lets more dust into the unit, and that dust is exactly what ends up in the drain.
What you shouldn’t do is start disassembling the unit or forcing anything through the line without knowing where it runs. And if the leak comes with electrical smells, ice on the unit, or no cooling at all, turn it off and call a professional. Refrigerant and electrical work is not a DIY job.
FAQ
Why is my air conditioner dripping water inside the house?
Most often the condensate drain line is clogged, so the water your AC pulls from the air backs up and spills indoors instead of draining outside. Other possibilities include a frozen coil that melts and overflows the pan, or a pan that has cracked with age. A drain clog is the most common of these and the cheapest to fix, which is why it’s checked first.
Can I just pour something down the drain line to unclog it?
Sometimes a mild flush helps with a light blockage, but it won’t fix the underlying problem if the unit itself is dirty. On the job described here, the tubing was fully blocked and part of the line had to be replaced, which no flush would have solved. If a home flush doesn’t restore flow quickly, forcing it further can push the clog deeper or damage the line.
How do I stop my AC drain line from clogging again?
Keep the unit clean. Replace or wash the air filter regularly, since dust that gets past the filter is what ends up washing into the drain. Having the unit professionally cleaned before each cooling season removes buildup before it reaches the line. A unit that’s kept clean rarely clogs its drain, while a dirty one will clog repeatedly no matter how often the line is cleared.
Leaking AC? Get it fixed before the water damage spreads
Water from a leaking air conditioner ruins floors and walls fast. If your AC is leaking water, give us a call and we’ll diagnose it, clear the drain, and clean the unit so it doesn’t come back.
