AC Leaking Water
Water pooling around your indoor unit or dripping from a ceiling is a problem to take seriously - it can quickly damage floors, drywall, and ceilings. In humid Houston, the cause is very often a clogged drain, and it's usually a fixable one.
Your AC naturally pulls moisture out of the air, and that condensation is supposed to drain away through the condensate line. The number one cause of a leaking indoor unit is a clogged condensate drain line - algae, dust, and sludge build up in that pipe, especially in Houston's humidity, and once it blocks, water backs up and spills out of the drain pan. This is by far the most common leak we're called out for.
A few other issues produce standing water. A rusted or cracked drain pan lets water escape even when the line is clear. On systems that sit below the drain point, a condensate pump moves the water up and out - and when that pump fails, water has nowhere to go. If your system uses a secondary drain line, water dripping from it is a deliberate warning that the primary line is blocked.
Sometimes the "leak" is actually a frozen coil thawing. When the evaporator coil ices up - from a dirty filter, low airflow, or low refrigerant - it eventually melts and overwhelms the drain pan, sending water onto the floor. In that case the water is a symptom of a deeper airflow or refrigerant problem that also needs to be addressed, not just mopped up.
Don't ignore an AC leak. Standing water feeds mold in walls and ductwork, ruins ceilings and flooring, and can short out the electrical components inside the air handler. If water is actively dripping, turn the system off at the thermostat to stop it from making more, and put a container or towels under the leak until a technician can clear the drain and find out why it clogged.
What we check on a leaking AC
- Condensate drain line for clogs, algae, and sludge
- Drain pan for rust, cracks, or overflow
- Condensate pump operation (on systems that use one)
- Air filter and airflow that can freeze the coil
- Refrigerant charge, since low charge causes icing
- Secondary/emergency drain line for warning drips
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to keep running my AC if it's leaking water?
It's best to turn it off at the thermostat. Running a leaking system produces more water, which can spread to drywall and flooring and reach the electrical parts inside the air handler. Shut it down, contain the water, and have the drain cleared before running it again.
Why is water leaking from my indoor AC unit?
The most common reason in Houston is a clogged condensate drain line - buildup blocks the pipe and water backs up out of the pan. It can also be a rusted drain pan, a failed condensate pump, or a frozen coil that thawed. A technician can quickly tell which it is.
Can I clear the clogged drain line myself?
Some homeowners have luck gently clearing the visible drain opening or using a wet/dry vacuum on the outdoor drain end. If that doesn't restore flow, or the pan keeps filling, the blockage is deeper. We flush the line completely and check why it clogged so it doesn't recur.
Could the leak mean my coil is frozen?
Yes. A coil that ices over from a dirty filter, weak airflow, or low refrigerant will drip a lot of water when it thaws - often more than the pan can handle. In that case the water is a symptom, and we address the airflow or refrigerant cause too, not just the water.
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