Is Your AC Leaking Water?

Troubleshooting Steps For a Leak from your Air Conditioner

Over a hot Kansas summer, your home’s AC works hard to cool your home. We want it cool and comfortable inside, no matter how hot it gets outside. It can be a busy time for us at 3D Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air with our techs working overtime to make sure Wichita area homes stay cool and safe from the heat.

As long as you handle regular maintenance for your home’s system, your air conditioner shouldn’t have much problem keeping up with your cooling demands. Basic maintenance steps like regularly changing your air filter are vital to your system working well every year. But even with good maintenance, problems can still arise, especially if you have an older AC.

Finding leaking water on your basement floor is one such potential AC problem. It’s not one you can easily miss, which is good because an AC leaking water is a problem you should not ignore.

Water leaking from an AC can cause damage to a home. But beyond that, the actual cause of the leak may be another problem that will only get worse (and harder and more costly to fix) if ignored.

Once you notice a water leak, you may think you need a plumber. However, if the water issue is coming from your home’s heating and cooling system, then an HVAC technician is the one to call

How can you tell if it’s a plumbing issue or a leaking air conditioning system?

The first thing to look for is where you see the leaking water.

• Is the water in your basement?
• Do you have a leak coming down from your attic?

If the water is in one of these places, you are likely dealing with a leaky AC system. Fortunately, here at 3D Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air, we have experienced plumbers and AC repair technicians to handle whatever water leak problem you are having!

Why Water is in Your AC

Did you know that your AC creates water naturally? As your air conditioner cools and dehumidifies your house, moisture is pulled from the air. That moisture gathers inside your system and collects into a large drain pan. This water is then directed from your air conditioner to go down a drain line.

You may think the problem is with your furnace. However, the problem isn’t with the furnace but what is likely right next to it, the indoor unit of your air conditioning system. Water from your air conditioner often shows up right next to your furnace.

Is the water coming from your ceiling? If your heating and cooling system is in your attic, that drip could be coming from your AC.

What To Do When Finding an AC Leak

You can try troubleshooting potential problems that are causing the leak. Some issues are simple enough for some homeowners to fix themselves.

But in order to fix the leak, you need to determine what is causing it. Water dripping from an AC could be happening for a few different reasons.

1. Dirty Air Filter
   Check your air filter. If it is dirty, replace it with a clean one. This step alone may resolve the problem. And you may want to consider increasing the frequency of how often you change it in the future to prevent problems like a leak.
   
2. Broken Condensate Pump
   Most AC systems have a condensate pump moving water to a floor drain or sink. If it becomes clogged, a condensate pump will stop pumping that water out of your home, which can cause a leak.
   
   You can try troubleshooting this problem by disconnecting the drain line and emptying the water out. Remove the check valve and then plug the pump back in. If it’s still not working after that, you may need to replace the condensate pump. You may be able to purchase one from a local hardware store. If the condensate pump does start working after removing the check valve, then the problem is likely with that valve. You can try cleaning it before reattaching it, or you can replace it.
   
3. Damaged Drain Pan
   Check if your drain pan is rusted or damaged. Depending on your system, the pan may need to be replaced. Unfortunately, this probably will not be easy as the pan is usually hard to reach. Contact 3D Heating & Air for AC repair service anywhere in or around the Wichita area.
   
4. Clogged Condensate Drain Line
   Clearing out a condensate drain line is not a particularly easy task for homeowners. While you can try to unclog the line with a wet/dry vac, an AC repair pro will have the necessary tools designed to clear out the line.
   
5. Low Refrigerant Level
   An air conditioner running low on refrigerant can create a variety of problems. The evaporator coil could freeze, which can then melt and overflow the drain pan. Call 3D at (316) 744-2326 to check your system and evaluate your refrigerant level. We will replace any if that is needed.

When in doubt, call 3D out. Our trained team of AC technicians and plumbers know how to detect the source of a leak and fix it.

Preventing an AC Water Leak

Many causes of an AC water leak can be prevented. By ensuring regular maintenance and tune-ups of your air conditioning system, any signs of problems will likely be caught early on. Catching and solving issues early can prevent your home’s system from breaking down or having issues like water leaks.

Contact 3D Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air for the service you need on your air conditioning. We provide AC maintenance and tune-up service, repair, and new AC installation.