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AC Leaking Water Inside
in Arlington, TX
The indoor part of your AC system pulls moisture out of the air and drains it outside through a small line. When that line gets clogged, water backs up and overflows. In Arlington, where summer humidity can sit above 70 percent for weeks at a time, that drain line has to handle a lot of water. A small clog turns into a puddle fast, and puddles near drywall and insulation become mold problems.
Quick Answer
Water leaking inside from your AC usually comes from a clogged drain line or a frozen coil that thawed out. Arlington's high humidity in June and July means the AC pulls a lot of moisture out of the air, and if the drain line is blocked, that water has nowhere to go. Shut the unit off and call (817) 670-3733 — water sitting near your air handler can damage drywall and cause mold.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Water pooling on the floor under or around the indoor air handler
- Water stains on the ceiling below a second-floor air handler
- Dripping sounds inside the unit when the AC shuts off
- A musty smell coming from the vents
- The float switch has shut the unit off and it won't restart
- Wet or stained drywall near the indoor unit closet
Root Causes
What Causes AC Leaking Water Inside?
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The drain line that carries water outside gets clogged with algae, mold, or debris over time. Arlington's warm, humid summers are perfect conditions for algae to grow inside that drain line. Once it's fully blocked, the drain pan fills up and overflows onto your floor or ceiling.
The Fix
Drain Line Cleaning and Flush
A technician clears the clog using a wet-vac or pressurized flush and treats the line with an algae-killing tablet to slow regrowth. Flushing the line once a year before summer is a simple way to avoid this problem.
Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan
The drain pan sits under the evaporator coil and catches condensation before it reaches the drain line. Over time, especially in units that are 15 or more years old, the pan can rust through or crack and leak directly. Homes in Arlington with older systems that weren't maintained regularly often have pans in bad shape.
The Fix
Drain Pan Replacement
A technician removes the old pan and installs a new one. Some pans can be patched temporarily, but a rusted pan usually needs to be replaced to hold up through a full summer season.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Clogged Condensate Drain Line | Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan |
|---|---|---|
| Water is overflowing from the drain pan but the pan looks intact | ||
| Rust stains visible around the bottom of the indoor unit | ||
| Unit shut itself off and won't restart | ||
| Musty smell from vents even when unit is working fine | ||
| Water is dripping from a crack in the bottom of the pan itself |
Free Inspection
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An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
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