What Should I Do If My AC Is Leaking Water?

Our humid Birmingham summers are fast approaching and the most important key we have to combat them is our trusted AC unit. The first thing you want to do when you get home from a long sweaty day is crank on the AC, but what happens when you find water markings around your system or discover that your unit is leaking water?

We at Skelton’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing are AC experts and know a thing or two about water leaks. Read below for some common causes of leaks and what to do if your AC is leaking water into or around your home!

Are AC Leaks Dangerous?

A leaking AC is a tricky situation. It could be something minor or possibly a major component. It could be that your AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant, which is an easy fix, or it could be something seriously broken in your unit.

Typically, the warning signs that something is wrong that needs immediate attention include the following:

• High electricity bills
• Long cooling cycles
• Hissing noises
• AC not cooling at all

It’s especially important to pay attention to the noises coming from your AC. If you hear hissing, bubbling or gurgling, you could have a refrigerant leak on your hands that can be especially dangerous to the health of you or your family.

What Are the Common Causes of AC Leaks?

Some common causes of AC leaks include having a clogged condensate drain line, a frozen evaporator coil or a broken condensate pump. But what do all of these long words mean, and how can they cause water leaks?

Clogged Condensate Drain Line

The condensate line is a very important component of your HVAC system. During heavy periods of heating or cooling, the condensate line is hard at work draining the condensation that is produced when air is heated or cooled by your system.

If this vital drain line is clogged by dirt or other debris, water will have nowhere to go and will spill onto the floor around your system.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Your evaporator coil functions to absorb the heat from the air inside your home and works with the condenser coil to create cool air in your home. You can find this component inside your furnace or inside of your air handler.

Even when it’s warm outside, evaporator coils can sometimes freeze, causing water leakage. This usually happens because not enough refrigerant is present and the temperature has dropped inside your unit.

Broken Condensate Drain Pump

A condensate pump is used to collect and distribute hot water and liquid produced by the condensation from your system. When water levels in the pump’s reservoir rise, a float switch on the pump gets turned on. This is what signals it to drain water out of your home.

If the pump is broken or the float switch is faulty, it won’t pump water out of your unit. This could be the answer to your leaky troubles. If your condensate pump is broken, it may be time for a replacement. To know for sure, you’ll need to call a technician to come out and take a look.

What Should I Do if I Find a Leak?

In the unfortunate event that you find an AC leak in your home or outside around your unit, it’s best to have a professional come check it out. While it’s true that not all AC leaks will be fatal, it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with these watery messes.

Call Skelton’s Today!

AC leaks can be frustrating, but fortunately, there is a solution! At Skelton’s Heating and Cooling, we’ve proudly served Birmingham for years and we are experts at finding and resolving AC repairs and leaks.

Whether you’re ready to put your watery troubles behind you or you’ve got questions about any of our services, we’ve got you covered. Call us today to schedule!