What is causing your AC System to Leak Water?Why does water sometimes leak from air conditioning systems? This is a question many homeowners have asked themselves because it is a very common problem. It’s actually one of the most common reasons homeowners need urgent repairs. Having water leak into your walls or ceiling can be a scary experience and it’s an issue that needs to be fixed quickly.Fortunately, repairing water leakage isn’t too hard for a trained technician. Learn what the common causes of AC water leakage are and what most likely needs to be done to repair the system below.Clogged or Disconnected Drain LineA clogged condensate drainpipe can make your AC system’s drain pan overflow. This is probably the most frequent cause of water leakage from a central AC system, especially as summer temperatures rise. The clog can be caused by debris like dirt, rust or algae.The drainpipe could also be disconnected. If an AC system is improperly installed, drainpipe fittings may not be secure.

Over time the pipe can loosen and eventually disconnect from the AC unit, allowing the condensate to drain through the ceiling, walls or onto the floor.Drain Pan Position or CracksThe evaporator coil inside your AC system collects condensation from the cooling process. As warm and humid air passes through, the inside coil loses some of its moisture. This moisture then drips into a drain pan that has to be angled correctly so water can drain properly. It’s similar to why bathtubs are positioned at a slope so all the water can fall into the drain. If this is the case, a technician may only need to reposition the drain pan to create a more efficient slope.In some cases, however, the pan may require replacement. Cracks can form in it over time, which leads to leakage.Other potential causes of AC water leakage include: – Condensate pump problems – Clogged air filter – Condensate buildup in un-insulated ductwork – Low refrigerantHow to Avoid Water Leakage DamageThese tips will reduce the likelihood of AC water leakage: – Make sure your central AC system has a secondary drain line – Install a drain pan overflow shut off switch – Clean or change your HVAC air filter regularly – Make sure ductwork is properly insulated – Have your AC refrigerant levels checked regularly – Keep your condensate pump free

from mold and mildew by flushing it with a 50% bleach/water solution – Schedule annual HVAC maintenance to minimize AC repairsCall WG Speeks Heating and Air Conditioning Experts for Quality Air Conditioner ServiceIf you experience water leakage or other AC issues, such as Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Repair and Installation, call us at 804.276.2800 804-276-2800 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmonddoes the ac unit use water, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.how to fix your ac unitWritten There may be Two reasons for the water leakage and ice buildup.how much to service an ac unitBlocked water drain pipe.Refrigerant LeakageDirty FiltersBlocked water drain pipe.Actually there is no water in the split Ac system.

The water is produced in the internal unit because the cooling of air causes the water present in the air to condense into small water droplets (similar to water condensing on a cold bottle)This water is then drained out through the drain pipe, which in a split ac is dusted out along with the power wires and the copper tubing.Drainage problem: When hot, humid air hits the evaporator coil, it removes heat and moisture from the air before circulating it back into your home. Especially in humid climates, the A/C condenses a lot of vapor into condensation that should drain outside. However, if water builds up in the condensate drain and starts to get backed up, the coil freezes the condensation and the ice further blocks the drain, exacerbating the situation further.Source: What Causes an Air Conditioner to Ice UpRefrigerant LeakageThe Gas is leaking in your AC. So the lower pressure of refrigerant is causing evaporator coils in inner unit to Ice up, When some of the ice falls on the fan it is thrown out from the indoor unit.

When AC has Low refrigerantWhen the refrigerant in the system is low, the pressure; and therefore temperature, of the refrigerant will also be lower. In a normal system, the temperature of the refrigerant at the beginning of the evaporator will be right around the freezing temperature of water (32°F). As the indoor air moves over the cool coils, the moisture in the air will condense on the coils. This condensation will drip harmlessly off the coils, and into the condensate drain.When the refrigerant is low, the temperature of the refrigerant at the beginning of the evaporator coils will be colder than the freezing point of water (less than 32°F). Because the coils are so cold, the condensation that forms on the coils will freeze. As ice builds up on the coils, it restricts the air flow through the coils. Because of the restriction, the refrigerant can't absorb as much heat from the the indoor air moving over the coils. This causes the refrigerant to boil later in the evaporator, which causes ice to form further along the coils.

This situation continues to progress, until the whole evaporator is a block of ice. Once that happens, the refrigerant will start to boil in the suction line. This cause the temperature of the suction line to drop, and just like in the evaporator, cause the condensation to freeze.Eventually the freezing works its way all the way back to the compressor, which is where the trouble can really start. If allowed to operate in this condition for too long, liquid refrigerant can make its way back to the compressor. If this happens, the compressor can be damaged.It should also be noted. Once the refrigerant level drops too low, the system stops working. So this problem only occurs in a "sweet spot", where the refrigerant is low, but not too low.Source: Why do the evaporator and suction lines freeze when there is low refrigerant?Dirty filtersDirty filters hinder airflow and can cause icing up of the Evaporator coils. Please clean filters in your AC and see if it solves the problemThe warm air from your home needs to flow through the system fast enough that it keeps the coil above freezing.

If there isn’t enough airflow, the coil becomes too cold and freezes condensed water before it drains away. One major cause of inadequate airflow is a dirty filter. Change the filter to improve airflow.Source: What Causes an Air Conditioner to Ice UpPlease get the AC serviced by a professional ASAP.Please ask the AC repair professional to trace the source of Leakage (if any) before filling or topping up the refrigerant.Please stop running the AC till servicing is doneStay Cool… Written Written Ductless air conditioning depends on refrigerant to do its job, just like centralized systems do. It needs to be present in a specific amount in each unit, and it can’t leak or otherwise lose refrigerant. If it does, the delicate process is thrown off. Ice will form on the evaporator coils, which comes between the refrigerant at the air it’s trying to cool. Ice can also form if the coils get dirty and in a few other set circumstances too.You may be tempted to scrape the ice off the coils, but you should never do so.