What causes water to drip from the indoor unit of an air conditioner? When can water leakage from the air conditioner be fixed on your own and how? When does water leakage from the air conditioner require a technician?
One of the common problems with air conditioners is water dripping from the indoor unit. This issue can be very unpleasant as water can easily stain walls, soak parquet flooring, or come into contact with electrical devices or installations.
This potentially significant problem is often due to irregular maintenance of the air conditioner and can usually be resolved quickly without investment. However, sometimes water leakage from the indoor unit can also be the result of a malfunction that requires investment.
When You Can Fix Water Leakage from the Air Conditioner on Your Own
Usually, it’s a problem that most people can fix on their own. Namely, water condensation always occurs on the unit that is cold. This means in the summer, when the air conditioner cools, water condenses in the indoor unit, and during the winter months when the air conditioner heats, water condenses on the outdoor unit because it is significantly colder than the outside air.
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When the air conditioner cools the room, the pipes inside the unit are very cold, causing water to condense on them. The amount of water that will condense depends on the temperature and humidity of the air.
However, the air conditioner is designed to drain that water outside. Overflowing water from the indoor unit and dripping into the house can happen for several reasons.
Irregular Maintenance: The Main Cause of Water Dripping from the Air Conditioner
The first and most common reason is a dirty drip tray at the bottom of the unit, which collects water, preventing it from draining freely.
Also, check if the air conditioner is level. If it is installed at an unfavorable angle, water from the tray will flow to the “wrong” side, finding another way to drain.
Poor positioning of the air conditioner can result from improper installation, which is less likely, but more often, after servicing, not all plastic components fit back into place, preventing water from draining.
Check the Drain Hose
Another cause of condensation reaching your apartment is that the hose that drains water from the air conditioner outside is bent or clogged somewhere. Sometimes insects nest inside the hose before the season starts, blocking it. If you have access to the hose, you can easily check its passability by blowing into it.
Additionally, water drainage problems occur if the hose is placed in a bottle with water, submerging its tip, which also prevents water from draining. In short, check if the hose is passable and if it always has a free fall so water can drain.
Sometimes, in an attempt to direct water to a specific place (for example, a gutter), people overlook that water from the hose can only drain freely.
When to Call a Technician
Of course, before undertaking any DIY air conditioner servicing activities, take all precautionary measures. The air conditioner must be turned off and unplugged, and if the outdoor unit is at a height and not easily accessible, it might be better to leave the job to professional technicians.
If you have addressed all the mentioned causes and water is still leaking from the indoor unit, there might be a possibility that the air conditioner is running low on refrigerant, leading to excessive evaporator freezing, and the drainage system simply can’t keep up with draining the water. In that case, hiring a professional technician is necessary.
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