There’s Water on My Floor Around My Unit

It can be alarming to discover a puddle of water around your air conditioning unit, especially during the summer months when you depend on your AC to keep your home cool and comfortable. Summers in Houston can be brutal, and you’ll want to take the necessary steps to maintain your HVAC equipment before the problem gets worse.

There are many reasons why your unit may be leaking or dripping water onto the floor, ranging from improper installation to lack of routine maintenance. In some instances, the equipment itself may have surpassed its lifespan and is in need of replacement. As it can be tough to diagnose the problem on your own, it’s best to bring in a professional.

Serving Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas, The Lee Thompson Co. offers comprehensive heating, cooling, commercial HVAC, and indoor air quality services to keep the essential systems in your home or business running optimally. Let’s explore why there may be water on the floor around your unit and how to resolve these issues.

Improper Installation

Water discovered on the floor around new HVAC equipment can usually be attributed to improper installation. Your unit has many important components, and the improper placement or configuration of any part can result in a leak.

First, inspect the condensate trap to determine if it’s properly designed. An improper trap design can stop the condensate from draining, causing water to build up in the drain pan and overflow onto the floor. Hire a qualified HVAC technician to install your HVAC system to prevent this issue.

Poor Insulation

Air vents and ductwork need to be properly insulated to prevent moisture from escaping into your home. Built-up condensation in the unit can leak from poorly insulated vents and ducts, causing wet spots that may appear on walls, ceilings, and even floors. Consult an HVAC technician who will inspect the ductwork to determine if inadequate insulation is the problem.

At The Lee Thompson Co., our background-checked, licensed, and trained technicians have extensive experience handling these types of calls. The ‘Lee Guarantee’ is a combination of Performance Guarantee and Satisfaction Guarantee, ensuring that you’ll be satisfied with both our equipment and customer service.

Clogged Condensate Pipe

Dirt and dust can accumulate in condensate drain lines over time. If not regularly cleaned, these pipes can become clogged, preventing condensation from traveling from the unit to the drain pan. When the pipe is blocked, water backs up into your home.

To determine if a clogged condensate pipe may be the problem, consider the volume of the leak. Clogged condensate pipes generally result in a slow drip. If there is a constant flow of water, it could mean that the condensate pipe has been punctured or disconnected.

Dirty Air Filter

Regularly changing the air filter in your HVAC unit can help keep your unit running smoothly, lower your utility bills, and promote good air quality in the home. When you forget to replace the air filter, it can become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris.

Clogged air filters prevent proper airflow over the evaporator coils which causes them to get too cold and ice over. Ice accumulation on the evaporator coils then thaws, leading to more water than the drain pan can handle. The excess water may then overflow the drain pan onto your floor.

Ideally, air filters should be cleaned about every two weeks, especially during peak cooling and heating seasons, and replaced every three to four months. More frequent replacements may be required in homes with pets, allergy sufferers, or homes located in dusty, dry climates.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Frozen evaporator coils are generally caused by inefficient airflow. While a dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of ice accumulation on evaporator coils, ice buildup may have other underlying causes, such as backed-up drain clogs or a low fan speed.

The unit’s evaporator coil can get covered in dust, dirt, and grime which prevents it from getting enough airflow to transfer heat, causing the system to freeze over. That is why regular evaporator coil cleaning is a key component of any AC tune-up service.

The Lee Thompson Co. makes maintaining your heating and cooling systems simple by offering Home Comfort Maintenance Plans that help protect against costly breakdowns and include perks like two annual tune-ups a year, priority service, and more. Give us a call at (713)766-4846 or visit https://leethompsonac.com/home-comfort-plans/ to learn more.

Damaged Drain Pan

As your HVAC equipment ages, it will show signs of wear and tear. One of the most common signs of an old unit is a damaged or rusted drain pan. This usually occurs when the equipment reaches 12 to 15 years of age. As the drain pan is constantly exposed to moisture, it can degrade over time.

If you see rust inside the drain pan, you may spot weak spots where water is leaking onto your floor. Closely examine the drain pan for cracks or holes and decide whether it should be repaired. Minor cracks can often be patched with a quality water-resistant sealant. More extensive damage may require a drain pan replacement.

Broken Sump Pump

In a typical setup in which the furnace and indoor AC unit are located in the basement or attic, there is a condensate pump that pumps water outdoors. Once the water level in the condensate pump reservoir rises to a certain level, the float switch inside the pump is triggered, forcing the water to drain outside the home.

If this pump breaks or is malfunctioning, water can leak onto the basement floor. If you suspect that your condensate pump may be broken or malfunctioning, contact an HVAC technician to test and replace the pump if needed. At The Lee Thompson Co., we offer only quality replacement products, including those made by American Standard, Lennox, and Mitsubishi.

Low Refrigerant Levels

HVAC systems contain a chemical known as refrigerant, which helps prevent the pressure from dropping too low inside the unit. This can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. When the coils thaw, they can cause the drain pan to fill and overflow. Low refrigerant levels are usually caused by a leak.

Several signs could indicate that your refrigerant levels are low, such as hissing, bubbling, or gurgling noises that come from your refrigerant lines. In addition, you may notice that your unit is not effectively cooling your home. Low refrigerant levels require an HVAC technician to repair the leak and recharge the system.

Drain Line Disconnect

In some instances, water around the floor of an HVAC unit may be due to a disconnected drain line. When the drain line is not properly attached, water can leak from the connections. Drain line disconnect is most commonly caused by improper installation, improper repair, or a line that has become loose over time.

If the drain line is disconnected, call in an HVAC technician to inspect the condition of the drain line and reconnect it.

Problematic Humidifier

Some homes are equipped with whole-house humidifiers, which are designed to add moisture to the air to prevent dryness and irritation. These systems are often configured with furnaces and rely on water to increase the amount of moisture in the air.

However, when the lines attached to the humidifier are poorly fitted, cracked, or otherwise damaged, the excess water that is supposed to travel into the drain line can end up leaking onto the floor. Leaks can also develop when clogs form inside the drain line. Contacting an HVAC technician can stop the leak and related problems, such as water damage and mold growth.

Lack of Routine Maintenance

The best way to prevent water leaks and associated damage to your home is by having your unit regularly maintained by an HVAC professional. Regular maintenance to-do lists should include replacing dirty air filters, inspecting vents and ductwork, cleaning evaporator coils, flushing the drain line, and diagnosing potential problems with the unit.

For worry-free routine maintenance, sign up for our Home Comfort Maintenance Plan and let the professionals at The Lee Thompson Co. take care of it. Visit https://leethompsonac.com/home-comfort-plans/ or call us anytime at (713)766-4846 to learn more.

Contact The Lee Thompson Co. for Prompt Service

If you find water around your HVAC equipment, don’t panic. Oftentimes, a leaking AC unit can be resolved with the help of a trained technician. However, you’ll want to act fast, as dripping water can quickly go from being a minor nuisance to a major problem if left unchecked.

For fast and reliable service in Houston and the surrounding areas, call in the experts at The Lee Thompson Co. We now offer several deals and discounts, including a $79 AC tune-up, $250 off any heat or AC replacement, $25 off any heat or AC repair, and free estimates on equipment replacements. Call us today at (713) 766-4846 to learn more.