Why is my air conditioner leaking water?

You come home after a long day at work and go to put your air conditioner on to cool down your room… and it’s leaking. You are sure it wasn’t leaking water when you turned it on yesterday, and now a puddle is forming and you aren’t sure why. Is it broken? Does it need replacing or repairing? What should you do?

We all know how irritating a leaking air con can be, so we have put together some information about dripping units and what you should do and who you should call. Remember, this is a guide only and you should always call a local professional if you are unsure, or the water is pooling around electrical wiring. This can be very dangerous, so get the experts in to help!

A bit about air conditioning

So, we have to start with the technical bit to ensure the rest makes sense. On a split system air conditioner, there is a drain from the head air conditioning unit that directs the water that is evaporating on the indoor unit coil to an external drain point. When an air con is leaking, it is generally relating to the drain component of the system.

Why is my air con leaking water?

There’s a few reasons why an air conditioner can leak:

The most common cause is a blockage in the drain from dust, dirt or mould
The drain can become disconnected from the head unit
The manufacturers drain may, over time, become brittle and crack
There may be dirt or other obstructions at the end of the drain. For example, the drain is in the garden and is blocked by a plant or garden
There was an installation error when the unit was installed, where there isn’t enough downward ‘fall’ on the head unit for the water being drained to flow properly
There is a failure of the drain pump. In some cases, a drain pump may be used in some air con systems to help pump the water away in situations where there is no general ‘fall’

How do I stop my air conditioner leaking?

It’s important to have your system cleaned by a professional to prevent dirt and mould from building up, which is one of the most causes of a leaking air con.

A suitably qualified technician will remove the head cover and complete a maintenance which includes a high pressure wash of the indoor units’ coil and also the drain pipe. A chemical will be flushed down the drain to ensure it is clean and a wet vac will remove any built up blockages and dirt.

How often should my air conditioner be serviced to stop it leaking water?

In most cases a yearly premium air conditioner maintenance is highly recommended, as this will ensure the system operates at its best all your round. In some cases it may be required more frequently - for example, if your system has a drain pump it is recommended that you arrange a service every six months, as they are prone to blockages and often cause water leaks.

When is comes to commercial spaces such as cafes, restaurants and commercial office spaces, they generally have a more frequent service (some as regularly as once a month!) depending on the amount of use.

If my air conditioner is leaking water, do I need a new one?

In most cases, a premium service will fix the water leak and get the system running properly again. Once your system is serviced, the drain should be able to flow freely and allow the air conditioner to perform correctly again.

Your local air conditioning repair specialists

If you are still unsure about your air conditioning unit, or think it may be time for a service, give Static Electrics a call on 1300 139 004 or complete an online job booking form today. One of our qualified technicians can fix your air conditioner water leak quickly and efficiently, so your system will be back up and running before you know it. Get in contact today!