Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home, especially during the scorching Dallas summer. To keep your AC unit healthy and reliable, you need to be proactive about having it repaired when something goes wrong. One of the most common symptoms displayed by ailing air conditioners is leaking water.
This issue occurs frequently, but because it can have a variety of causes, it’s not always easy to tell what needs to be repaired, replaced, or adjusted. That’s why it’s important to immediately give us a call at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric when you notice that your cooling system is leaking water. Our skilled HVAC technicians will promptly determine the root cause of the leak and employ the appropriate fix.
Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the most common reasons why your air conditioner may be leaking water. Some of these issues are minor and require only simple fixes, while others are very serious and require major repairs.
1. Clogged Condensate Drain Line
If your AC unit is leaking water, it could indicate that the system’s condensate drain line is clogged or obstructed. When your air conditioner dehumidifies your home, it does so by removing moisture from the air. This collected moisture is then drained from the appliance through the condensate drain line. However, because the water in the air can often contain dirt, debris, and other particles, the drain line can commonly become blocked over time. As a result, the water that builds up won’t have anywhere to go, which will cause it to overflow the drain pan and spill into your house.
While it is possible to unclog the condensate drain line yourself, it’s not something you should attempt unless you have significant experience working with air conditioners. In most cases, it’s best to let trained HVAC professionals handle the job.
2. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Frozen evaporator coils are another potential cause of your air conditioner leaking water. Your AC unit’s evaporator coils are responsible for absorbing the heat from your home’s air, allowing the system to cool down your living space. However, several issues can cause these coils to become frozen, such as leaking refrigerant or an airflow blockage. When this occurs, the ice will gradually start to melt, which will result in moisture overflowing the appliance’s drain pan.
If frozen evaporator coils are causing your AC unit to leak water, it’s important to address the actual root of the problem. The best solution is to have trained HVAC technicians inspect the unit so that they can fix whatever issue is causing the coils to become frozen. This should naturally stop your cooling system from leaking water.
3. Dirty AC Air Filter
Sometimes, the cause of a leaky AC unit can be as simple as a dirty or clogged air filter. Over time, it’s normal for various airborne contaminants to accumulate on your air filter, which will eventually obstruct it. When the AC air filter becomes too dirty, it will become harder and harder for the air conditioner to pull air through. This will make it more difficult for the refrigerant within the system to absorb heat, which can cause the evaporator coils to become frozen.
One way to reduce the likelihood of a leaking air conditioner is to simply replace the air filter regularly. Depending on what type of filter your AC unit uses, you should switch it out at least once every two or three months. This will not only prevent the evaporator coils from becoming frozen, but it will also benefit the overall performance, energy efficiency, and health of the system.
4. Damaged Drain Pan
Located beneath the evaporator coils, your air conditioner’s drain pan has the important job of catching and temporarily containing condensation as it’s collected. The accumulated water then remains in the drain pan until it exits through the condensate drain line. However, if your cooling system’s drain pan becomes cracked, rusted, or otherwise damaged, it won’t be able to hold all of the moisture. Instead, the water will begin to leak into your home.
This AC problem is quite common with air conditioners that are more than 15 years old. Often, the drain pan will gradually become corroded, which will eventually cause a significant leak. If you’re experiencing this issue, you can have your local HVAC technicians replace the drain pan. Alternatively, if the appliance is approaching the end of its productive life, it may be time to invest in a brand-new air conditioner instead.
5. Low Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant in your air conditioner is a vital part of the cooling process. If the system’s refrigerant level becomes too low, it can cause a number of issues, including a water leak. If your AC unit loses too much of its refrigerant, it will cause the evaporator coils to become much colder and eventually freeze. That will cause the drain pan to overflow and the appliance to start leaking water.
One of the best ways to avoid this problem is by staying on top of regular AC maintenance. If you schedule a professional air conditioner tune-up every year, your hired technicians will be able to ensure that the unit always has plenty of refrigerant. Additionally, our team at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric can always inspect your cooling system to assess the current refrigerant levels. If they find that the levels are too low, they can add refrigerant as necessary. This should ensure that the evaporator coils don’t freeze again, greatly reducing the likelihood of any future water leaks.
Other Signs That You Need AC Repair
In addition to leaking water, there are several other common warning signs that your air conditioner needs professional repairs. As soon as you observe that your AC unit is behaving strangely or having trouble keeping your home comfortable, you should take immediate action. Ideally, you should shut off the appliance and give us a call at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric. Our skilled team will evaluate the symptoms you’ve noticed and closely examine the cooling unit to determine what repairs are needed.
Listed below are a few of the most common indicators that an air conditioner needs professional attention.
- Unusual noises or odors
- Increased humidity levels in your home
- Poor, uneven, or inconsistent cooling performance
- Inexplicably rising cooling costs
- Worsening indoor air quality
Our technicians at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric have experience in diagnosing and fixing a wide variety of AC problems. Regardless of what’s wrong with your AC unit, they’ll be able to determine an effective, long-term solution.
If you’d like to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently for the long haul, there’s nothing more effective than scheduling yearly AC maintenance. This essential service is an excellent way to ensure that your home remains comfortable and energy-efficient, especially during the hot Texas summer.
AC Professionals You Can Trust
When you need expert air conditioning services in the greater Dallas area, our team at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric is always available to assist you. We are a family-owned and operated company, and we make a point to treat our customers like part of our family. In addition to top-tier AC services, we offer expert heating, plumbing, indoor air quality, and electrical services. Because your comfort and well-being are important to us, we also offer 24/7 emergency repair services. If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, simply give us a call at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric today!
