Air conditioners are essential household appliances that help keep us cool and comfortable during the summer. Unfortunately, clogged drain lines can result in a very inconvenient AC outage. Clogged drains can occur from several sources; however, the most common cause is a build-up of dirt, debris, and mold in the drain line.
Why Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water
Finding out what causes condensation in your air conditioning system boils down to a few common problems. These are some of the most common reasons why you’ll start noticing water coming out of your air conditioner.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line Can Make The Air Conditioner Leaking Water
The most common cause of AC leaking water outside or inside at home is because your unit has a clogged condensate drain line. Often, the condensate line gets clogged with dirt and dust that passes through it. Over time, it mixes with the moisture of the air conditioning unit and sticks to the sides of the drain line.
This causes it to gunk up the line and prevent the condensation from getting drained to where it should be going. This results in the drain line backing up and overflowing out of the air conditioner.
Your Air Conditioner Doesn’t Have Enough Refrigerant
Having little to no refrigerant in your air conditioner may lower the pressure in your unit & can cause refrigerant leaks. When this begins to happen, you’ll notice it first from the temperature of the air getting expelled. It won’t be as cold as it was before.
Also, having low refrigerant causes your evaporator coils to freeze up. Evaporator coils are responsible for converting the liquid from your AC unit into vapor. This is the vapor the unit expels and cools down the area around it.
Not having enough refrigerant means there’s nothing to power up the coils to do its job. This causes the coils to begin to freeze over time. This won’t pose a problem at first, but once it starts to heat up again, what’s frozen will melt and cause a leak in the air conditioning unit.
Having little to no refrigerant in your air conditioner may lower the pressure in your unit & can cause refrigerant leaks. When this begins to happen, you’ll notice it first from the temperature of the air getting expelled. It won’t be as cold as it was before.
Also, having low refrigerant causes your evaporator coils to freeze up. Evaporator coils are responsible for converting the liquid from your AC unit into vapor. This is the vapor the unit expels and cools down the area around it.
Not having enough refrigerant means there’s nothing to power up the coils to do its job. This causes the coils to begin to freeze over time. This won’t pose a problem at first, but once it starts to heat up again, what’s frozen will melt and cause a leak in the air conditioning unit.
The Air Filter Accumulated a Lot of Dirt
Another common reason why your Air Conditioner is dripping water is because of the air filter. Accumulated dirt can stop the filter from doing its job and prevent it from supplying power to another vital part of the air conditioning unit, the evaporator coils.
Similar to the effect of not having enough refrigerant, a dirty air filter can cause the coils to freeze over. This time around, though, it’s because no proper airflow reaches the coils. Without air flowing through it, it gets too cold and freezes up once again.
It’s best not to let the evaporator coils freeze up in either case though. Freezing can cause some damage to itself along with other parts of the unit. The damage it causes can sometimes be irreparable and lead to buying a new air conditioning unit instead.
Another common reason why your Air Conditioner is dripping water is because of the air filter. Accumulated dirt can stop the filter from doing its job and prevent it from supplying power to another vital part of the air conditioning unit, the evaporator coils.
Similar to the effect of not having enough refrigerant, a dirty air filter can cause the coils to freeze over. This time around, though, it’s because no proper airflow reaches the coils. Without air flowing through it, it gets too cold and freezes up once again.
It’s best not to let the evaporator coils freeze up in either case though. Freezing can cause some damage to itself along with other parts of the unit. The damage it causes can sometimes be irreparable and lead to buying a new air conditioning unit instead.
Drain Pan Got Rusted or Damaged
Damaged or rusted drain pans are a common case for old air conditioning units. If you’re faced with one that’s cracked, then you’re fortunate. It’s easier to fix than a rusted one, as you can use sealants to solve the problem.
A rusted drain pan is a bit trickier, though. It means the rust ate through the metal, and there’s not much to work with anymore. Often, drain pans with this kind of problem have a lot of holes for water to fall through
Damaged or rusted drain pans are a common case for old air conditioning units. If you’re faced with one that’s cracked, then you’re fortunate. It’s easier to fix than a rusted one, as you can use sealants to solve the problem.
A rusted drain pan is a bit trickier, though. It means the rust ate through the metal, and there’s not much to work with anymore. Often, drain pans with this kind of problem have a lot of holes for water to fall through
What You Can Do To Fix The Air Conditioner From Leaking
Every home has drain lines that are connected to the AC unit. When these pipes become clogged, water can’t flow through and leaves excess water in the AC unit for an extended period. This water can then cause the AC unit to short-circuit and malfunction. The best way to prevent this is by setting up a regular maintenance schedule for your drain lines. To avoid this issue, follow these steps to unclog your drains and keep your air conditioner running smoothly!
1. Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
The first step in unclogging drain lines is to turn off the AC unit. This will allow the water currently being dispersed throughout your home to stop flowing through your drain lines. It is also to prevent electrical shock and damage to your unit.
2. Locate the Drain Line Pipe
Next, locate the drain pipe. It is usually located outside of your home near the condenser unit. You can generally identify it as a PVC pipe coming out of the inside of your home. If you are unsure of where it is located, check your owners’ manual or ask someone you trust with home repairs for assistance. You will need to remove this cap to access your drain line.
3. Remove the Cap From the Pipe
With gloves on, remove the cap and place it somewhere safe. You won’t need tools for this step; the cap should be removed quite easily by hand.
4. Inspect the Drain Line Pipe
Now that the cap is removed inspect the pipe for debris, a clog, or other damage. If you see anything that would cause a clog in the drain line, use a snake to clear it out. You can use a flashlight to illuminate the pipe if you have trouble seeing it.
5. Unclog the Drain Line Pipe
You may find several different blockages in your drain lines, including leaves or even paper towels. We will be cleaning out a clogged drain line with a drain snake for this step. This tool is designed to clear out any debris from the pipe quickly.
Using a snake or another tool to clear out any debris in the drain line pipe is essential in preventing future clogs and drainage issues. Test the line for proper drainage after removing the clog. A drain line snake is a long, flexible metal or plastic cable attached to a power drill. The cable is what will unclog your drain lines. If you don’t have one, you can use a wire brush.
6. Pour in Vinegar
Pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain line pipe to exterminate any remaining bacteria. This will help keep your drain lines free and clear from any clogs. This is to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
1. Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
The first step in unclogging drain lines is to turn off the AC unit. This will allow the water currently being dispersed throughout your home to stop flowing through your drain lines. It is also to prevent electrical shock and damage to your unit.
2. Locate the Drain Line Pipe
Next, locate the drain pipe. It is usually located outside of your home near the condenser unit. You can generally identify it as a PVC pipe coming out of the inside of your home. If you are unsure of where it is located, check your owners’ manual or ask someone you trust with home repairs for assistance. You will need to remove this cap to access your drain line.
3. Remove the Cap From the Pipe
With gloves on, remove the cap and place it somewhere safe. You won’t need tools for this step; the cap should be removed quite easily by hand.
4. Inspect the Drain Line Pipe
Now that the cap is removed inspect the pipe for debris, a clog, or other damage. If you see anything that would cause a clog in the drain line, use a snake to clear it out. You can use a flashlight to illuminate the pipe if you have trouble seeing it.
5. Unclog the Drain Line Pipe
You may find several different blockages in your drain lines, including leaves or even paper towels. We will be cleaning out a clogged drain line with a drain snake for this step. This tool is designed to clear out any debris from the pipe quickly.
Using a snake or another tool to clear out any debris in the drain line pipe is essential in preventing future clogs and drainage issues. Test the line for proper drainage after removing the clog. A drain line snake is a long, flexible metal or plastic cable attached to a power drill. The cable is what will unclog your drain lines. If you don’t have one, you can use a wire brush.
6. Pour in Vinegar
Pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain line pipe to exterminate any remaining bacteria. This will help keep your drain lines free and clear from any clogs. This is to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
7. Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
If the clog is still not cleared out, you can use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to remove the debris in the drain line pipe. Vacuum out any remaining debris and water trapped. A clog can be challenging to remove if it’s been long since the last maintenance.
You can use duct tape to seal the vacuum hose at the end of the drain line pipe. This will allow you to vacuum out the debris easily.
8. Reconnect the Cap to the Drain Line Pipe
After completing all of the steps above, replace the cap on top of the drain line pipe again. This will prevent debris from getting into your drain line pipe and make future clogs more difficult to remove. Be sure that you put on gloves before doing so.
9. Turn on Your Air Conditioner
Once the repair has been made, turn your air conditioner back on and check for proper drainage to ensure that your drains are clear and in proper working order. HB Home Service Team will assist you in maintaining, repairing, or even installing your air conditioning system.
In conclusion, these steps will help you unclog drain lines in your AC unit. You should follow these easy steps regularly to help keep your drain lines free and clear from debris and other clogging materials. Maintaining your air conditioner can help prevent an unannounced AC outage caused by drainage issues with a clogged drain line. We offer heating, cooling, and plumbing services in Central PA and the Baltimore area. Contact the HB Home Service Team for more information.
If the clog is still not cleared out, you can use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to remove the debris in the drain line pipe. Vacuum out any remaining debris and water trapped. A clog can be challenging to remove if it’s been long since the last maintenance.
You can use duct tape to seal the vacuum hose at the end of the drain line pipe. This will allow you to vacuum out the debris easily.
8. Reconnect the Cap to the Drain Line Pipe
After completing all of the steps above, replace the cap on top of the drain line pipe again. This will prevent debris from getting into your drain line pipe and make future clogs more difficult to remove. Be sure that you put on gloves before doing so.
9. Turn on Your Air Conditioner
Once the repair has been made, turn your air conditioner back on and check for proper drainage to ensure that your drains are clear and in proper working order. HB Home Service Team will assist you in maintaining, repairing, or even installing your air conditioning system.
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