Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Draining Water?

Air conditioners strip excess moisture from indoor air to produce more comfortable air inside the house. The excess moisture will go into the drain line and end up leaving the home. But certain problems may result in your air conditioner not draining water correctly.

Here are some possible reasons:

Disconnected Drain Line

The first thing you need to check when your air conditioner is not draining water is the drain line itself. Some connections might get loose due to vibration or improper installation. Once you’ve tightened it up, your AC might drain normally again.

Clogged Drain Line

Another possibility is that there is a clog in the drain line caused by dust or debris from the condensate. To unclog it, you can try flushing the line with bleach or sucking the clog using a wet/dry vacuum. If those tricks don’t work, try poking the clog out using a thin wire brush.

Rust in Drain Pan

If your AC unit is old, there is a chance that your drain pan has been worn out. See if there is any rust or damage because that can prevent water from flowing to the drain line. In this case, you need to replace the pan.

Malfunctioning Condensate Pump

A condensate pump is an element that pushes the moisture from condensation to the drain line. If your indoor AC unit is located in the basement, it most likely has a condensate pump. If the water isn’t draining properly, there is a possibility that your condensate pump isn’t working properly.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Evaporator coils can freeze for many possible reasons. Frozen coils lead to water damage, causing the water to leak instead of flowing through the drain line. If you have this problem, you need to take immediate action to prevent more serious damage because the leaking water might damage your walls and furniture.

Dirty or Damaged Coil

Dirt buildup in the coil might block the water from flowing to the drain line. A broken coil could cause the same problem. The water will stay in the coil. Eventually, the coil will not be able to contain the accumulating water, causing the water to leak and fall through uncontrollably.

The most effective way to prevent this problem is by giving your AC regular maintenance. This service should include cleaning and inspecting all the parts. That means all of the problems mentioned above will be less likely to happen, so your AC will drain water properly. If your AC unit has never had a maintenance check, it is time to contact an HVAC contractor to schedule a service.

When you find that your drain line does not send out water from your AC, you need to turn off the whole system first. Then, inspect the drain line, drain pan, and the coil to see if you can identify the culprit. If you are not sure what is causing the issue or how to resolve it, contact a professional technician to finish the job.