Pools of Water: Not for Swimming

The only good kind of pool is the one you can swim in. If you find a pool of water by your AC unit, your system may be in trouble, so it’s important to address the issue right away.

An Inside Leak

If you detect light moisture or a small pool of water around the compressor or condenser of your outdoor AC unit, there’s no need to panic –– this little puddle indicates your AC is working hard in hot weather, and it should dry within a day. If instead you notice ice forming, you may be dealing with a larger issue involving your system.

Here are some reasons for an AC water leak inside your home (one or more could be to blame):

Clogged condensate drain line

If your condensate drain line clogs with dirt, dust, or debris, it will allow water back up into your indoor evaporator coil. This will create a puddle around your indoor unit, and it’s a common cause for an AC water leak.

Dirty air filters

Likewise, if your AC’s air filters get dirty enough, they can cause your evaporator coil to freeze over.

Frozen evaporator coils

If your evaporator coil is frozen due to dirty air filters, water will drip from it and overflow the condensate drain pan.

Damaged drain pan

If your condensate drain pan is old or damaged, water will leak through it and create a puddle.

Broken condensate pump

If your condensate pump is damaged or broken, it won’t be able to pump water outside.

Low refrigerant

If your AC is low on refrigerant, your evaporator coil will freeze over and drip too much water for your drain pan to handle (just like it would with dirty air filters).

You’ll want to handle any AC leaks with caution. If you’re noticing consistent puddles near your indoor unit, contact an HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue before it has the chance to evolve into a larger, system-wide problem.