Why Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water

If you live near Oakland Park, chances are you use your AC system during most months of the year. While AC systems were built to last for years, that doesn’t mean that you won’t eventually need repairs. One of the most common problems with AC systems is leaking water. 

If you notice water leaking from your AC system, call Abraham AC right away. We provide a range of air conditioning services including top-notch AC repair. We can quickly find the source of the leak and provide the necessary repairs.

What Causes AC Leaks?

Water naturally forms inside a properly functioning AC system. The water comes from condensation that forms when hot air blows over a cool evaporator coil. The process is similar to condensation forming on a cold glass of water. 

Eventually, the build-up of condensation leads to water droplets that drip into a pan that leads to a drain line. The line pushes water outside your home, so normally you shouldn’t see any of this process happening. 

If you notice your air conditioner leaking inside your home, there is definitely an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Here are a few reasons why this could be happening. 

Clogged Air Filters

Changing the air filter in your AC unit should be a regular part of your household maintenance. Changing the filter every 30 days is a good rule of thumb, but you may need to change it more often, depending on factors like the number of people and pets in your household. 

Dirty air filters force your system to work harder, which can lead to premature wear and tear and expensive repairs in the future. 

In addition, a dirty filter can block the flow of air that is passing over the evaporator coil. When this airflow is blocked, the coil can actually freeze. Eventually, the frozen coil will melt, resulting in excess water that can leak into your home. 

We know that a working air filter is essential to your comfort and the longevity of your home’s AC. When you call Abraham AC for any air conditioning services, we’ll always check your filter and make sure that it is clean and installed correctly.

Clogged Drain Lines

Drain lines are relatively small, and when water constantly passes through them for years on end, a clog is bound to happen. Even the most well-maintained AC systems still take in dirt, dust, and other particles that can end up in the drain line. 

When the drain line is clogged, water cannot make its way to its destination: outside your home. The water has to go somewhere, so it will most likely come back inside and leak into your home. 

A professional drain-line cleaning can resolve clogs and eliminate the leaking they cause. The staff at Abraham AC will perform a thorough cleaning of the line from end to end and test it to make sure that it is free from blockage or buildup.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant, commonly known as coolant, is a chemical that helps cool the air flowing through your unit. Your air conditioning system heavily depends on the appropriate level of refrigerant. 

When the level gets low, the pressure inside your cooling equipment drops below a normal level. This can cause your evaporator coil to freeze, which will lead to water leaks inside your home. There are several underlying issues that can cause the refrigerant level to drop, including: 

• Factory defects
• Corrosion
• Damaged joints
• Damaged connections
• Routine wear and tear

It’s not always immediately obvious when your refrigerant is running low. To make sure you’re always alerted to low refrigerant levels in your air conditioner, have your system inspected regularly. 

Other Causes of AC Leaks

There are a number of other underlying issues that can lead to AC leaks. If your AC system is 10—15 years old, the drain pan may need to be replaced. Just like any other appliance, wear and tear over many years will lead to worn-out parts.

Issues with your condensation pump can also be to blame for water leaking into your home. The condensation pump works to pump water outside. If it is malfunctioning, water won’t be moved outside of the system and may end up leaking indoors.

Finally, if your AC system was installed incorrectly, the water produced by the system may not be routed properly. Incorrect routing may leave water nowhere to go but into your house. 

Is Leaking Water Dangerous?

If you notice water leaking from your AC unit, there is no need to panic. Normally, the water leaking from your equipment is not enough to cause serious damage to the system or your home. However, it is also not something to ignore. If you notice a water leak, it likely won’t resolve on its own and could get worse over time. 

Although AC water leaks are generally not immediate emergencies, there are certain safety hazards that come along with water leaks. For example, environments with excess water are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Once mold starts to develop in your home, it can spread fast and be difficult to remediate. 

In rare instances, AC leaks can also be significant enough to cause sheetrock and insulation damage in your home. When it comes to sheetrock, it doesn’t take much time for water to do significant damage. 

Lastly, AC units rely on electricity, and water and electricity should not mix. If water comes in contact with any electrical components, it could cause a short, which may damage your system. 

Invest in AC Maintenance to Avoid Repairs

Just like your car benefits from regular maintenance at the shop, your air conditioner equipment functions best when you schedule tune-ups periodically. Regular maintenance ensures that your system is running as it should, and it can add years of life to your AC unit. 

Furthermore, AC maintenance is the best way to avoid costly AC repairs. Most AC breakdowns and major repairs can be traced back to small issues that got worse over time. An AC tune-up will catch small issues early on, before they become big issues that require expensive repairs.

During a maintenance appointment, an Abraham AC technician will tune up any parts or components that are out of place. They’ll also conduct a thorough inspection of the entire system and inform you of any repairs your cooling unit needs. 

Abraham AC provides the most thorough AC maintenance inspection around. If you live near Oakland Park, the best time to schedule a maintenance visit is the springtime. When the heat of the summer hits, you’ll be glad you did.

Trust Abraham AC for Oakland Park AC Services

At Abraham AC, we provide a range of air conditioning services, including our specialty: AC repair. We have over 15 years of experience and have serviced over 10,000 units. We are fully licensed and offer a price match guarantee. There is no job too big or too small for our team. 

In addition to our unparalleled skill, we also pride ourselves on excellent service. It is our job to be available to our clients, and we strive to be transparent and dependable. We have fast response times, and we work to make your experience with us hassle free.

We know that a leak from your AC unit can be a disruptive inconvenience – or worse – a destructive issue that can put your health and home at risk. 

Give us a call today! We’ll work around your schedule to fix the leak and return your peace of mind in no time.