It’s a dreaded scenario. You crank up the air conditioner, only to realise that it leaks water! How do you go about fixing a leaking air conditioner and what on earth could be causing the issue? Are you putting anyone in danger by ignoring the issue?
We break down the possible causes and solutions to make troubleshooting as easy as possible for you. It’s important to note that the same problem can be caused a range of issues, so determining the cause first and foremost is of the utmost importance.
We also explore whether it’s dangerous and whether you can still operate it when it is leaking water.
Always remember that, when at all in doubt, it’s better to call in the experts – before you do any further or permanent damage – whether it’s the building, others’ health or the air conditioner itself.
Problem 1: My Air Conditioner is Leaking Inside
Probable Cause
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How to Fix It
Itaparica Turn off your air conditioner immediately! This will avoid any permanent damage to your home . If you want to attempt to fix it yourself, you can try a vacuum to suck up what’s blocking it. If you still can’t fix it, it might be caused by a rusty drain pan or the condensate pump might be faulty. In this case, you will more than likely need an expert to come in and fix it.
Problem 2: My Air Conditioner is Leaking Outside
Probable Cause
When this is the cause of the issue, you will most likely see some water pooling right under your condenser unit. If this is happening on a very hot and humid day or very cold day, it should not be an issue. When it’s happening under any normal circumstances, it could be a problem.
How to Fix It
This could point to faulty or old air filters. It could also potentially be caused by a blocked drainpipe and broken condensate pan. You should replace or clean these. If you are unsure, rather get an expert to take a look at it.
Problem 3: My Air Conditioner Leaks Water When Turned Off
Probable Cause
Your air conditioner could be low on refrigerant. Another cause could be that the filter has to be cleaned. This causes the ice to melt and water to pool as soon as you switch of the air conditioner.
How to Fix It
You don’t want to take a chance with this one. Leaving it could cause water to leak throughout your home, business, or office, causing permanent damage to both your ceiling and floor. An easy fix is to try and clean the filter to see if that helps. If that is unsuccessful, you should leave your air conditioner switched off until you’ve called in an expert to determine exactly what could be causing the problem. Similar to the above problem when your air conditioner leaks water, the issue could potentially also be caused by a damaged condensate pan or a blocked drainpipe.
Is Water Leaking from AC Dangerous?
You might go into immediate panic mode when you see that your air conditioner leaks water, but don’t fret. It could be harmless to those in the building. Although it’s always a good idea to get it fixed immediately to avoid causing permanent damage to the building or to the air conditioner itself.
In short, if your air conditioner is leaking water there is no immediate need to be concerned. However, when your air conditioner is leaking liquid it could also be the refrigerant. This in fact can be dangerous as it converts to a gas when it eventually evaporates.
How do I know if my AC is leaking refrigerant?
Here are some indicators you can look out for when you are unsure whether your air conditioner leaks water or refrigerant.
- This month’s electricity bill is abnormally high
- Your air conditioner is blowing hot instead of cool air
- It feels like your house takes forever to cool down
- You might see some ice gathering on the copper lines or evaporator coils
When you note that any of the above is true, you should rather seek the help of a trained professional to be safe.
You might be suffering from symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, headaches, nausea, skin- and eye irritations when you have been exposed to refrigerant liquid. These symptoms can in turn cause more severe health issues such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, and many more life-threatening health concerns. Always consult a doctor as soon as you suspect you might have refrigerant poisoning.
Can we use AC when water is leaking?
Although you technically can still use your air conditioner when it leaks water, it is much safer to rather switch it off immediately and pinpoint, first of all, whether it is, in fact, leaking water or if it’s refrigerant. Then you should determine what could be causing the issues.
As with all potentially dangerous air conditioner issues, you should opt for ringing an expert instead. It is such a weight off your shoulders when you are certain that you are not putting anyone – or yourself in danger. It also ensures that don’t accidentally cause permanent damage to your conditioner or the building.
At All Air Services, we understand that a working air conditioner is vital to keep everyone in the office or at home happy. That’s why we provide first air-conditioner repairs and service in Perth. Call us next time things go awry and you’ll look like the hero when it’s all fixed in a flash.
