Air Conditioner Flooded Home

The last thing any homeowner expects to see is water pouring out of their air conditioning system. But there are lots of things that can go wrong within your HVAC system and cause an AC leak.

Since leaking water can cause damage to your home as well as the valuables in it, it’s important to address the problem right away. If you’re experiencing AC flooding, here are the most common causes, as well as what you can do to remedy the issue right away.

What Causes an Air Conditioner to Flood?

There are lots of factors that can cause an AC leak or significant flooding, but these are the most common.

1. Clogged Condensate Drain Line

This is one of the most common causes of leaking water from your air conditioner. Over time, the drain line can clog thanks to excess dirt, dust, mold, sludge, and other debris. When this happens, the water can’t properly drain from your AC to the outside of your home. You may notice water dripping from the area at first, but if left untreated, this problem can cause significant flooding in your home.

Luckily, if you catch it early enough and can spare yourself from water damage, a clogged condensate drain line is relatively easy to fix that can be done with a little AC know-how or a quick call to your trusted HVAC professional.

2. Damaged Drain Pan

As air conditioning systems age, certain components can get rusty. One of these components is the drain pan. After years of collecting water, rust can occur, causing the water to fall right through. All you’ll need to do in this case is replace the drain pan.

3. Improperly Installed Drain Pan

Similarly, your AC can flood if the drain pan was not improperly installed. Since the drain pan is responsible for catching excess water, if it’s not properly installed, you may experience an AC leak.

4. Broken Condensate Pump

Some homeowners have a furnace and an AC unit installed in a lower level of their home. If you’re one of these homeowners then you also have a condensate pump that pumps water outside. If this pump breaks, the water won’t be pumped outside anymore until the component is replaced.

5. Dirty Air Filter

Your air filter works hard to remove dancer, dirt, dust, and other debris from your home. But over time it will accumulate too much debris and will need to be replaced. If you go too long without replacing your air filter, the flow of air will be impeded. This can cause the evaporator to get too cold and freeze. When the ice melts, water will drip and potentially flood the drain pan.

6. Low Levels of Refrigerant

Similar to a dirty air filter, low levels of refrigerant can cause the evaporator coil to freeze and then causes excess water within your AC when the ice melts.

7. Improper AC Installation

Although this is one of the less common reasons an AC might flood a home, it does happen. Improper AC installation can cause the unit to be pitched at a bad angle, causing the unit to leak water. If you think your air conditioner may be improperly installed, you’ll need to contact your trusted HVAC professional.

How to Prevent Your AC From Flooding Your Home

You can prevent your air conditioning system from flooding your home with these steps:

• Change your air filter on a regular basis
• Place an additional drip pan underneath your AC unit to catch any water overflow
• Have your ductwork inspected and make sure it’s installed correctly
• Installed a float-tripped drain pan with an overflow shutoff switch
• Make sure your condensate pump is clear of debris; we recommend flushing it annually with a solution of 50% bleach and 50% water to dislodge any debris that has accumulated
• Schedule professional HVAC maintenance

Air Conditioning Repair Services in Central Florida

No Florida homeowner wants to come home to find their house has flooded thanks to their air conditioning system. If you’re in need of emergency air conditioning repair or another AC service, A Plus Air Conditioning can help. We offer quality HVAC services to the Central Florida area and beyond. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment with one of our trusted technicians. Call us at (352) 374-4988 or contact us online.