- a/c leaking water
Air conditioners create significant condensation, which usually exits through a drain tube. This drain tube should go into a floor drain or be carried away by a small “condensate pump.” If water is pooling at the base of the air conditioner, something may be blocking the water’s flow, or leaking, or the pump may not be working.
1) Look to see if one of the tubes is leaking. If it is, replace it.
2) Test the condensate pump by pouring water into its pan. If the pump doesn’t start, either it isn’t receiving power or it is broken. Be sure that it’s plugged in and test the circuit. If it’s broken, call an air conditioning repair service to get it repaired or replaced.
3) If the pump runs but doesn’t empty the pan, the ball-like check valve just before the discharge tube is probably stuck. Unscrew the check valve, loosen the ball inside, and look for an obstruction. (If this is pushing the envelope on your handyman skills call an air conditioning repair service.)
If it appears that a drain tube is clogged with algae, remove it if possible (you may have to cut it and replace it later with a coupling). Run a wire through it to clear it. To kill the algae, pour a dilute solution of bleach (1 part bleach to 16 parts water) through the pipe.
4) Ice may be blocking the tube. If this is the case, be sure the filter isn’t dirty. If the filter appears to be fine, the air conditioner’s refrigerant supply is probably low. This is when it’s time to call an air-conditioning technician.
