Air Conditioning Leaks and Water Extraction

This guide covers air conditioning leaks and water extraction, and the maintenance checks that catch them early, for homes in Ruston and Hammond alike. For the service itself, the water removal page gives a general outline. Never handle electrics in standing water.

How an air conditioner makes water

An air conditioner cools the air by passing it over a cold coil, and as the air cools, the moisture in it condenses on the coil, just as moisture condenses on a cold glass. That condensate drips into a drain pan, and from there it runs through a drain line to the outside or to a household drain. In a humid place like Louisiana, where the air holds a lot of moisture, the system produces a steady flow of condensate for as long as it runs.

The system is designed to carry that water away, and when it works, the homeowner never sees it. The water is out of sight, in a pan and a drain line, and it only becomes a problem when the path is blocked or the pan overflows. That is why an air conditioning leak is a quiet one: the water is produced continuously, and it escapes quietly, a little at a time.

An air conditioner cools the air by passing it over a cold coil, and as the air cools, the moisture in it condenses on the coil, just as moisture condenses on a cold glass. That condensate drips into a drain pan, and from there it runs through a drain line to the outside or to a household drain. In a humid place like Louisiana, where the air holds a lot of moisture, the system produces a steady flow of condensate for as long as it runs.

What goes wrong: blocked drains and overflowing pans

The most common failure is a blocked drain line. Dust, algae, and debris gather in the line over time, and the condensate backs up into the drain pan. When the pan fills, the water overflows, running across the floor of the utility space and into the rooms below. A pan that is cracked, rusted, or tilted can also let water out before it reaches the drain.

A frozen coil is another cause. When the coil freezes, the ice builds up, and when it thaws, the melt water overwhelms the drain pan and spills over the edge. A system that is low on refrigerant, or that has restricted airflow from a dirty filter, is more likely to freeze, and the thaw that follows can put a large volume of water on the floor in a short time.

The most common failure is a blocked drain line. Dust, algae, and debris gather in the line over time, and the condensate backs up into the drain pan. When the pan fills, the water overflows, running across the floor of the utility space and into the rooms below. A pan that is cracked, rusted, or tilted can also let water out before it reaches the drain.

Air Conditioning Leaks and Water Extraction — Louisiana water guide

The signs of an air conditioning leak

The signs to watch for are water on the floor around the indoor unit, a damp patch on the ceiling below the unit, a musty smell in the rooms the system serves, and water staining on the walls near the air handler. A system that cycles on and off more than usual, or that cools less well than it used to, can also point to a problem with the drain or the coil.

Note when you first noticed the signs, and whether they are getting worse. A damp patch that grows during the cooling season and fades when the system is off points to the air conditioner, and that pattern is useful information for the technician. Photographs taken over a few days show the pattern clearly.

A frozen coil is another cause. When the coil freezes, the ice builds up, and when it thaws, the melt water overwhelms the drain pan and spills over the edge. A system that is low on refrigerant, or that has restricted airflow from a dirty filter, is more likely to freeze, and the thaw that follows can put a large volume of water on the floor in a short time.

What to do when the air conditioner leaks

When you find an air conditioning leak, the first step is safety. If water has reached electrical outlets or appliances, stay out of the water and call from a dry place. Turn the system off if you can safely reach the thermostat, and do not touch the unit if it is standing in water. Shut off the water supply to the unit if there is one and you can safely reach it.

Then call a professional. The number is (877) 624-0105, and availability is confirmed on the call. Describe what happened, where the water is, and how far it has spread. The technician will assess the area, remove the water, and check the dampness left behind. The air conditioning system itself needs a separate repair, arranged separately.

The signs to watch for are water on the floor around the indoor unit, a damp patch on the ceiling below the unit, a musty smell in the rooms the system serves, and water staining on the walls near the air handler. A system that cycles on and off more than usual, or that cools less well than it used to, can also point to a problem with the drain or the coil.

Maintenance checks that catch a leak early

A few maintenance checks catch an air conditioning leak while it is still small. Change the filter regularly, because a dirty filter restricts airflow and can lead to a frozen coil. Look at the drain line and the drain pan once a season, and check that the water flows freely and the pan is sound. Keep the area around the indoor unit clear, so that a leak is seen early rather than hidden behind stored goods.

These checks take a few minutes a season, and they are worth doing, because an air conditioner that runs for much of the year produces a steady flow of condensate, and a blocked drain turns that flow into a water job. A drain that is clear is a home that stays dry.

A few maintenance checks catch an air conditioning leak while it is still small. Change the filter regularly, because a dirty filter restricts airflow and can lead to a frozen coil. Look at the drain line and the drain pan once a season, and check that the water flows freely and the pan is sound. Keep the area around the indoor unit clear, so that a leak is seen early.

Key Takeaways

An air conditioner cools the air by passing it over a cold coil, and as the air cools, the moisture in it condenses on the coil, just as moisture condenses on a cold glass.
The most common failure is a blocked drain line.
The signs to watch for are water on the floor around the indoor unit, a damp patch on the ceiling below the unit, a musty smell in the rooms the system serves, and water staining on the walls near the air handler.
When you find an air conditioning leak, the first step is safety.
A few maintenance checks catch an air conditioning leak while it is still small.

Questions About Air Conditioning Leaks and Water Extraction

How does an air conditioner leak water?

As it cools the air, it pulls moisture out of it, and that moisture gathers as condensate in a drain pan and runs away through a drain line. When the line blocks, the water backs up, the pan overflows, and the water runs across the floor.

What are the signs of an AC leak?

Water on the floor around the indoor unit, a damp patch on the ceiling below the unit, a musty smell in the rooms the system serves, and water staining on the walls near the air handler are the signs to watch for.

What should I do when the AC leaks?

Stay safe, turn the system off if you can safely reach the thermostat, and do not touch the unit if it is standing in water. Then call a professional and describe what you found.

How can I prevent an AC leak?

Change the filter regularly, look at the drain line and the drain pan once a season, and check that the water flows freely and the pan is sound. Keep the area around the indoor unit clear so a leak is seen early.

Your Next Step

If this guide matches what you found at home, the next step is a visit — not a guess. Call and describe what you found, and the visit is arranged from what you describe. The Water Removal page explains what that service covers, and the water removal page explains what that service covers when water has spread to more than one room.

Do not enter flooded rooms while you wait, and if water is leaking, turn off the shut-off valve for that fixture where you can reach it safely from dry ground.

Keep the guides on this site bookmarked: the first guide, the signs guide, and the preparation guide cover the checks worth repeating — after moving in, and after bringing used fixtures home.

Water extraction help is available across Louisiana. See water extraction in Fontainebleau, Mandeville, LA for one local example, or find your town on the service areas page.