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Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?


While your air conditioner releases a small amount of water everyday due to condensate removal, running water coming from your air conditioner is something that should get inspected for a possible problem. Water leaks can develop in a number of places, but there are some common spots where they are known to happen more often than others. It is important to attend to water leaks immediately as water damage can become a serious problem if left unrepaired. Call Raleigh Heating & Repair for all your air conditioning repair in Raleigh, NC, including any water leaks you may be experiencing.

Common Water Leakages

If you find that your air conditioner may be leaking water, it is best to repair it as soon as possible. Here are some common places where water leaks can become a problem with your AC:

Condensate Tray & Drain

Extra moisture leaves your air conditioning system by way of the condensate tray and drain. The tray sits at the bottom of your evaporator and collects dripping condensate; the tray’s bottom is angled down so water flows into the attached condensate drain and sent outside. If there is a problem with the tray, such as a hole or crack in the bottom of the pan, the water will drip out of the pan and directly onto the floor below.

In a secondary scenario, clogs can develop in the condensate drain. If the drain pipe fills with enough water, the condensate tray will no longer be able to drain; at some point, the tray will overflow, causing water spillage onto the floor below. The overflow will continue to spill until the clog in the drain pipe is removed.

Low Refrigerant

Low refrigerant can cause the coils in the evaporator to freeze, creating an ice build-up. When the system is turned off, the ice will melt, causing water to drip off the coil and onto the surface below. This can be particularly damaging if your evaporator unit resides in the attic area of your home.

Uninsulated Ductwork

Because your ductwork is metal, it can develop condensation fairly easily when the temperature moves from warm to cool as the conditioned air passes through it. Insulating your ductwork helps to temper condensation development and also absorbs any condensation that may accumulate. If your ductwork is not insulated, condensation can form on it and drip, causing leakage.

Seeing Too Much Water? Don’t Wait – Call an Expert

You know your system well, so if you see a leak or what seems like too much water coming from the condensate tray, call Raleigh Heating & Air today. Summer is almost here, and it’s better to get your air conditioning repair in Raleigh done before the hot weather settles in for the season.

Raleigh Heating & Air