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AC Leaking Water Inside
in Tallahassee, FL
Your AC pulls moisture out of the air and that water has to go somewhere. It drains through a condensate line to the outside or to a floor drain. In Tallahassee's high humidity, that drain line handles a lot of water every day, and when it clogs, water backs up and spills inside. Water damage to drywall, insulation, and framing can start within 24 to 48 hours.
Quick Answer
Water leaking from your indoor AC unit is almost always a clogged drain line or a cracked drain pan. In Tallahassee's humidity, drain lines clog with algae and mold faster than in drier states. The fix is usually cleaning the drain line or replacing the pan. Call (850) 907-7205 soon. Water damage to ceilings and walls can show up within days if this keeps going.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Water pooling on the floor around the indoor air handler
- Water stains on the ceiling below a second-floor air handler
- Mold or mildew smell near the indoor unit
- The AC shuts itself off even though the house isn't cool yet
- Rust stains or water marks around the base of the air handler cabinet
Root Causes
What Causes AC Leaking Water Inside?
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The condensate drain line is a small PVC pipe that carries water from the air handler to the outside. In Tallahassee's year-round heat and humidity, algae and mold grow inside that pipe and eventually block it completely. When water can't drain, it backs up into the drain pan and overflows onto your ceiling or floor.
The Fix
Condensate Drain Line Cleaning
A technician flushes the drain line with a wet vacuum and a cleaning solution to clear the blockage. Flushing the line once a year prevents most clogs before they cause water damage.
Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan
Beneath the evaporator coil sits a drain pan that catches condensation before it flows into the drain line. Over time, especially on systems that are 15 or more years old, that pan develops cracks or rusts through. Water then leaks straight out of the bottom of the unit instead of going down the drain.
The Fix
Drain Pan Replacement
A technician replaces the drain pan with a new one matched to the unit. Trying to seal cracks with sealant works temporarily but the pan usually fails again within a season.
Frozen Coil Thawing Indoors
When the evaporator coil freezes and then the unit is shut off, all that ice melts at once. The drain pan fills faster than the drain line can handle, and the overflow ends up on the floor or ceiling. This is common in Tallahassee homes where the AC has been struggling with low refrigerant or a dirty filter for weeks.
The Fix
Coil Freeze Diagnosis and Repair
A technician finds the cause of the freeze, whether it's a dirty filter, blocked vent, or low refrigerant, and fixes it. Stopping the freeze stops the overflow.
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 | Frozen Coil Thawing Indoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water leak happens slowly and consistently every day | |||
| Large amount of water suddenly appears after the AC was off for a while | |||
| Overflow shutoff switch has tripped and turned off the AC | |||
| Rust stains visible under the air handler cabinet | |||
| Ice was visible on the unit before the leak started |
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