Should I Turn Off My AC if It Is Leaking?
Yes. A running AC keeps pulling water out of the air and sending it toward the leak, so set the thermostat to off right away. In summer the house will warm up, but a few hours without AC costs far less than soaked drywall. Once the leak is fixed, turn it back on; cooling and dehumidifying actually helps the house dry.
Do This Now, in This Order
- Turn the system off at the thermostat.
- Soak up the water around the air handler with towels, and put a pan or bucket under any drip.
- Move anything stored in the AC closet and check the walls and floor of the rooms on each side.
- Before touching the unit, cut its power at the breaker or the disconnect switch beside the air handler.
- Look at the drain pan under the unit. If it is full of water, the drain line is probably clogged.
- Check for ice on the coil or the copper lines. If you see ice, leave the AC off until it melts and call your HVAC company.
- Take photos of the unit, the water and any wet walls or ceiling.
AC Leaking Water on the Floor: Common Causes
| What you see | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drain pan full of water | Clogged condensate drain line |
| Water dripping from the bottom of the pan | Rusted or cracked pan |
| Ice on the coil or copper lines | Dirty air filter or low refrigerant; the ice melts and overflows |
| Water from the ceiling under an attic unit | Overflowing primary or secondary pan, or a disconnected drain line |
| Water around a ceiling vent | Ductwork sweating in the hot attic |
| AC keeps running while water overflows | Missing or stuck float safety switch |
Clearing a Clogged AC Drain Line
If the pan is full and there is no ice, a clogged condensate line is the usual culprit. Many homeowners can clear a simple clog:
- Keep the power to the AC off.
- Find where the condensate line ends outside, usually a small white PVC pipe near the outdoor unit or the foundation.
- Hold a wet/dry vacuum hose tightly over the end of the pipe and run it for a minute or two to pull the clog out.
- Empty the drain pan with a wet/dry vac or towels.
- Turn the AC back on and watch the pan for 15 to 20 minutes to make sure it drains.
If the pan fills again, the line is cracked or disconnected, or there is ice, call an HVAC technician.
Is AC Leak Water Dangerous?
Not dangerous to touch in small amounts, but it is not clean. Condensate sits in a pan and drain line where algae, bacteria and dust grow, so restoration crews treat it as grey water. The bigger risk is what it does to your home: AC closets are small and have little airflow, so wet drywall there can start growing mold within a day or two if it is not dried properly.
When to Call a Professional
- Water has reached the drywall, baseboards, carpet or ceiling
- The ceiling below an attic unit is stained, sagging or dripping
- The leak happened while you were away and ran for a while
- You smell mustiness in the AC closet or nearby rooms
An HVAC technician fixes the unit; we dry the closet, walls and ceiling. See how we handle AC overflow damage in closets and ceilings.
What It Usually Costs
AC overflow is usually grey water, which nationally runs about $4 to $6.50 per square foot to clean and dry. A leak caught in one closet costs far less than one that spread into bedrooms and a ceiling.
AC Leaking Questions
My AC is leaking water on the floor. What do I do?
Turn the AC off, soak up the water, cut power to the unit and check the drain pan. A full pan usually means a clogged drain line. If walls or the ceiling got wet, call (239) 356-5803.
Should I turn off my AC if it is leaking?
Yes. Turn it off at the thermostat right away and leave it off until the drain is cleared or the HVAC technician says it is safe.
Is AC leak water dangerous?
It is grey water from a pan and drain line, so avoid drinking or soaking in it. The real risk is mold in the wet closet and walls if they are not dried quickly.
AC Water Got Into the Walls?
Call (239) 356-5803. We answer 24/7 to dry AC closets, walls and ceilings across Cape Coral, plus North Fort Myers and Fort Myers.