A puddle under your indoor unit is one of the most common AC calls in Palm Beach County. Your air conditioner removes gallons of moisture from humid air every day, and when that water cannot leave the system properly, it ends up on your floor, in your ceiling or in the drain pan under the air handler.
1. A clogged condensate drain line
Algae and sludge build up inside the drain line and block the flow. This is the most common cause in Florida. Many systems have a safety switch that shuts the AC off when the drain backs up, so a system that suddenly stops cooling may be telling you the drain is clogged.
2. A cracked or rusted drain pan
The pan under the coil catches water and sends it to the drain. Older metal pans corrode and crack, and the water then drips where it should not.
3. A frozen evaporator coil
When ice on the coil melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. Low airflow or low refrigerant are the usual causes of freezing.
4. A dirty air filter
A clogged filter restricts airflow, which can freeze the coil and lead to leaks. It is the cheapest cause to prevent.
5. Low refrigerant
Air conditioners do not use up refrigerant. If the level is low, there is a leak, and the low pressure can make the coil freeze.
6. A disconnected or damaged drain line
Drain lines can come loose, crack or get knocked out of place, especially in attics and tight closets.
7. A failed condensate pump
Systems that cannot drain by gravity use a small pump. When it fails, water backs up.
What to do right now
- Turn the AC off at the thermostat, so it stops making more water.
- Soak up standing water to protect floors, baseboards and drywall.
- Check the filter and replace it if it is dirty.
- If you can see ice, leave the cooling off and run the fan until it melts.
- If the leak comes back, or you cannot find the cause, call a technician.
If water is coming through a ceiling, turn off the system and, if you can do so safely, the power to that area. Water and electrical wiring are a dangerous combination.
How to prevent it
Regular drain flushes and twice-a-year tune-ups prevent most leaks. This is exactly what the Kennedy Comfort Club is designed to do.