11 Reasons Why Your Aircon Is Leaking Water And How To Fix It

As Singaporeans, aircon is one of the essential home appliances that you should have. However, without regular aircon servicing, you may face an aircon leaking water issue. Aircon water leaks are known to be fairly dangerous. They damage nearby furniture, risk accidents due to slippery flooring, and may even increase your electricity bills. By knowing the reasons why your aircon is leaking and how to resolve it, you don’t have to spend too much time determining the cause so you can repair your home or office aircon immediately.

Here are some reasons for aircon leaks and troubleshooting tips.

Reasons for Aircon Leaking Water

1. Dirty air filters

Most people neglect their air filters until something goes wrong with their aircon, but as a matter of fact, they greatly contribute to dripping and water leakages in the air conditioner. A dirty air filter blocks the airflow in the evaporator coil which causes it to freeze. Therefore, when it melts, the water leaks out of the aircon. When your aircon starts showing signs that it needs to undergo aircon servicing, do it before it leads to further problems with your aircon.

To prevent this from happening, the air filter should be cleaned regularly every 3 months or less. You can contact an aircon servicing company to conduct cleaning for dirty air filters.

2. Clogged drain line

Clogged drain lines are some of the common reasons why the air conditioner starts leaking. This is the pipe that receives the condensate from the drain pan and sends the excess outside. The drain pipe can be clogged with dirt due to the lack of proper aircon cleaning, and thus cause a backflow of the water collected in the drainage tray. This is commonly diagnosed if the aircon leak seems to start at the back of your aircon. As this part is inaccessible to you and requires some aircon repair, get a professional aircon service company to help you unclog it.

3. Poor maintenance

The air conditioner is like any other home appliance that requires regular aircon servicing to function optimally. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that the air conditioner is cleaned and maintained regularly because if there is poor maintenance then it will be prone to water leakages. If you want to do your own aircon servicing, take note to take care of these 3 aircon parts.

4. Improper installation

If you are having a new air conditioner unit and you notice there are some water leakages, then it is most likely due to a faulty aircon installation, not the filters and drain lines. The incorrect aircon installation is what has caused water leakage. Therefore, you should start by checking if the air-conditioner was installed on a flat surface. This is because it needs to be installed at a slight downward angle for the water to drip off easily. Additionally, you should check if the seals are properly fitted because if not then the warm air from the outside will meet with the cold air from the condenser leading to condensation which contributes to leakages.

This is a major issue that needs professional servicing. You should engage a reputable aircon service company that does aircon installations to come to have a look.

5. Air Leak

Water leaks can occur as a result of an air leak. This is when warm air entering the installed aircon fails to pass through the vent. As a result, moisture condenses on the refrigerant coils which leads to water seeping out of the unit.

In some cases, an air leak can occur as a result of loose seals. Engage an air conditioning service to repair or replace them if that is the case.

6. Low Levels of Refrigerant

Refrigerant coolants help to cool the warm air and blow it out for your comfort. If there is not enough gas, then the aircon will not blow cold air, and the air might fail to condense on the evaporator coil, leading to your aircon leaking water. You might also hear some bubbling noise or hissing sound which indicates that there is a likelihood that the aircon coolant is leaking and you need an aircon repair immediately.

You will simply need an aircon gas top up, but if you suspect that the aircon leaking water may be leaking refrigerant instead, you need to contact us quickly, as it is harmful to you and the environment.

7. Broken Condenser Pump

A damaged condenser pump is one common reason why aircon leaks water. This component is located below the cooling oil and pumps out all the water from the condenser pan. In certain cases, this can malfunction due to dirt buildup. But if the inside of your Daikin or Mitsubishi aircon’s condenser pump appears to be clean, then it’s possible that one or more of its components might be damaged. Otherwise, check if the power supply connected to the pump might have been cut off.

To confirm if your pump is working properly, you should see water being released into the condenser pan. If the condenser pan appears empty, have your condenser pump repaired or replaced immediately.

8. Damaged drain pan

The drain pan helps to collect any condensate but when it overflows, your aircon may leak water as well. The pan is made of iron which makes it prone to rust. Corrosion might also cause the aircon water tray to have gaps that cause the condensate to leak from the pan.

Since the drainage tray is not easily accessible, you should contact professional aircon services to fix this problem for you.

9. Outside temperature is too cold

Another reason why your Daikin or Mitsubishi aircon leaks water is due to a drop in outdoor temperatures, typically during the rainy seasons. This can cause some parts of the aircon to freeze which leads to condensation. The time needed for the water to dry may also increase as a result. In that event, the condenser pan can fill with water and eventually overflow.

To prevent your aircon from leaking water during cold rainy weather, try to wait for warmer weather conditions before using it again.

10. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Frozen coils are usually the main culprit for your aircon leaking water. Open the front panel of your aircon and see if there is a layer of ice on your evaporator coils. When this problem continues without being rectified it can lead to further damage to the aircon compressor. Frozen coils usually occur when there is a refrigerant leak or there is a reduction of airflow on the coils which might subsequently lead to a clogged air filter.

There can be many reasons why your evaporator coils might have been frozen, and the best way to find out would be to call an aircon servicing company to check it out. If you want to find out yourself, you can read Ways to Check Why Your Aircon Is Leaking Water.

11. Leakage in the condenser coil

The condenser unit is your outdoor aircon unit and its major parts comprise the condenser coil, the compressor, and the fan motor. As it is located outside of the house, it is likely to accumulate a lot of grime and dirt which would lead to a blockage. As such, all the above factors of aircon leaking will also show up here.

If the condition is serious enough, it might require an aircon chemical overhaul service. To seek advice about your aircon’s condition, please feel free to chat with our friendly aircon customer service who can tell you more about what you might need to do!

Fixing A Leaking Aircon Yourself

However, if the issue is minimal enough to be fixed yourself, here are some tips to DIY aircon repair:

Knowing how to repair your leaking aircon yourself can help you save time and money, especially if it’s due to dirty aircon parts. It’s recommended to clean your aircon regularly to prevent such a problem.

The following are things to remember when cleaning an aircon yourself:

• Disable your aircon and disconnect it from the power supply
• Detach the aircon’s cover so you can inspect the vent where the air is being sucked in. If the vent is blocked due to dirt buildup or other reasons, the cold air might be spreading into other areas.
• Be sure to also check the seals, especially around the vent and cooling sector to see if there are any air leaks.
• Also, make sure to inspect the condenser pump and pan to see if any dirt has built up.
• Use a wire brush to remove any signs of dirt, dust, and debris from your installed aircon.
• For more stubborn dirt which may be sticking to the vent, cleaning, pan compressor, and other parts, use a cleaning solution to ensure they’re fully removed.
• Once you’re done cleaning your aircon parts, dry them properly so that no moisture remains.
• When you’re finished cleaning your installed aircon, reassemble and test it to ensure that no more water leaks are present.

Hiring A Professional Aircon Service Company

If your aircon continues to leak water even after you’ve cleaned it thoroughly, there’s a high possibility that it has some damaged components. In that case, it might be better to engage an aircon maintenance company to have your unit repaired.

• When choosing a service provider to repair your aircon, be sure to contact one which specializes in various aircon services. See to it also that the prices of such services are fair and reasonable. You can also check their previous aircon works and reviews to confirm that they conduct high-quality and excellent repairs for their customers.
• Among the best companies in Singapore to contact for aircon repairs is DW Aircon Servicing Singapore. Our professional technicians have tons of experience tending to a wide array of aircon issues. By contacting us, you’ll be able to get your unit working optimally once more.

How To Avoid Aircon Leaking Water Issues

Once you’ve gotten your aircon repaired, it’s important to maintain it properly so that it doesn’t experience issues in the future. One way to do this is by conducting repeated inspections to see if it has accumulated any dirt or if any parts have been damaged. In the case of the former, clean your aircon’s filters and their other parts regularly so that it continues to work properly for the long term. You can also install a larger condenser pan so that any water doesn’t spill out. In the event that you have to replace your aircon, Everyhome Singapore offers a wide range of aircon and provides personalized recommendations based your requirement.

DW Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands,  Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry. We have over 10 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook. WhatsApp us at +65 8241 0032 for transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!