5 Causes of AC Leaks

October 28, 2020

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    5 Causes of AC LeaksIf your AC starts leaking, don’t panic! Water leaks can occur even if none of the components inside your AC are broken. In order to determine whether your unit requires AC repair, you’ll need to take a look inside your AC (or have it examined by the experts in Queen Creek, Arizona).

    Read on to learn about the 5 most frequent causes of AC leakage.

    What causes AC to leak?

    An AC’s interior unit contains an evaporator coil. The purpose of this coil is to cool the warm air that’s blowing over it. This naturally causes moisture buildup. The moisture then drips down into a drain pan, at which point it’s taken out of your home via the condensate drain line.

    If any one of these components is improperly installed or gets damaged, there’s a chance that your air conditioner may start leaking. Leaks may also occur if you attempt to cool your home when it’s already very cold outside.

    Here are the top 5 reasons why your AC is leaking:

    1. The air filter is dirty

    AC filters need to be replaced or cleaned on a regular basis (once every 1-3 months). Failing to do so will gradually reduce the efficiency of your AC, cause it to blow more dust into your home, and even completely block airflow.

    This will not only prevent the AC from doing its job, it may also cause the evaporator coil to freeze over. Once it begins to melt, the excess water will likely overflow the drain pan. For this reason, you should check the air filters (or have them examined by the pros) at least once every 3 months.

    2. The drain pan is damaged or rusted

    If your air conditioning system is very old (12 years or more), it’s possible that its drain pan has become corroded or damaged. This results in the water simply seeping through the holes in the pan and into your living room. You should have the drain pan replaced ASAP to prevent further damage to your property.

    3. The condensate pump has failed

    AC units and furnaces that are installed in the basement use a condensate pump to take the water outside. If this pump breaks down, there will be no way for your AC to remove the excess water. Have the pump replaced or repair the old one (if possible).

    4. Blockage in the condensate drain line

    Dirt, dust, mold, or sludge can all accumulate inside the drain line and cause water to back up into your AC’s indoor unit. With nowhere else to go, the water starts spilling over the edges of the drain pan. Unclogging or replacing the drain line is the only way to fix this issue.

    5. The refrigerant is running low

    As with dirty air filters, low refrigerant causes the evaporator coil to cool down too much and freeze over. When the ice starts melting, it releases too much water into the drain pan and causes some of it to spill over and drip out of the indoor AC.

    You can tell your AC is running out of refrigerant if:

    • It’s not cooling properly
    • It’s letting out bubbling or hissing noises (leaking refrigerant)

    If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, consult with the experts immediately.

    Where can I find the top AC repair technicians in Queen Creek, Arizona?

    What causes AC to leak?A malfunctioning air conditioner can really ruin your day, especially if you live in Arizona. Luckily, Hughes Air is here to help. As the leading provider of HVAC repair and installation services in Queen Creek, we’re superbly qualified to deal with any AC-related problem you may have.

    Our technicians will happily fix your AC while you enjoy a hike in San Tan Mountains Regional Park with your loved ones. Give us a call today and take full advantage of our 2-year labor warranty!