AC leaking water indoors

Cooling pulls moisture out of the air. In a humid Naples summer, a typical home system can produce many gallons of water a day, which drain away through a small PVC line. When that line clogs with algae and sludge, the water has to go somewhere. That's why condensate leaks are one of the most common AC calls in Southwest Florida.

What you might notice

• Water in or overflowing the drain pan under the air handler
• Water stains or drips on a ceiling below an attic air handler
• Wet floor or baseboard near the AC closet
• The system shut off on its own (a float switch may have tripped)
• Musty smell near the air handler

Common causes

Clogged condensate drain line

Algae and debris build up in the line, especially in summer. The most common cause by far.

Rusted or cracked drain pan

Older metal pans corrode, and water leaks through the pan instead of draining.

Disconnected or poorly sloped line

Lines that sag, separate or were never properly trapped and sloped.

Frozen coil melting

Ice from an airflow or refrigerant problem melts faster than the drain can handle. See frozen AC coil.

Failed condensate pump

Some air handlers pump water out; when the pump fails, water overflows.

Safe checks you can make first

• Turn the system off at the thermostat to stop producing water
• Soak up standing water and move belongings
• If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people away and call right away
• Photograph the damage for your insurer
• If you know where the drain cleanout is, check it, but don't use a wet-vac on a line connected to a pump

How a Uniform technician diagnoses it

We find where the water is coming from, clear and flush the drain line from the air handler to the termination, check the trap and slope, inspect the pan and test the float switch so it will shut the system off next time before water overflows. If a frozen coil caused it, we diagnose that too.

Repair options

You get a written estimate after diagnosis and before any work starts. See what changes a quote in our Naples AC repair cost guide.

Why homeowners choose Uniform

The technician who comes to your home has passed a guaranteed background check and works for a licensed, insured air conditioning contractor. Florida license number posted at launch. Verify any Florida A/C contractor at DBPR.