Water where it shouldn't be
AC Leaking Water in Ocala, FL
A puddle at the closet door, a full drain pan, or an AC that switched itself off. In a humid climate this is often a blocked drain line. Call to be connected with an independent local contractor.
Speak with a local AC contractor
Call (352) 758-5011Connects you with an independent heating and cooling contractor. Calls may be recorded. How referrals work.
Why Florida air conditioners make so much water
As it cools, an air conditioner pulls moisture out of the air. On a humid Ocala day that can be gallons of water, which drips off the indoor coil into a pan and runs out through a condensate drain line.
That warm, wet line is a good place for algae and sludge to grow. When it clogs, the pan fills. Many systems have a safety (float) switch that shuts the AC off before the pan overflows; others simply leak, onto the floor, into the garage or through a ceiling if the air handler is in the attic.
A frozen coil causes leaks too: when the ice melts, it can overwhelm the pan. And a rusted or cracked pan can leak even with a clear drain.
Before you call
Five minutes of checks
- Switch the AC off at the thermostat to stop more water forming.
- Mop up and move belongings away. If water is near outlets or the air handler's wiring, turn off the breaker first.
- Look at the drain pan under or inside the unit. A full pan points to a blocked drain.
- Check the end of the drain line outside. Is it dripping, dry or clogged with algae?
- If water came through a ceiling, keep clear of a sagging ceiling and tell the person you speak to.
What fixing a leaking AC usually involves
So you know what to expect from the contractor and what to ask.
Clearing the drain
The line is vacuumed or flushed and the trap cleaned.
Safety switch
The float switch is tested or added so a future clog shuts the AC off instead of flooding.
Drain pan
A rusted or cracked pan is replaced; a secondary pan may be added under attic units.
Coil and airflow
If ice caused the leak, the cause (filter, blower, refrigerant) is found.
Condensate pump
Some units need a small pump to move water out; these can fail.
Damage check
Wet drywall, ceilings or flooring are pointed out so you can deal with them separately.
Planning figures
AC Leaking Water: typical planning ranges
Read this first. These are typical planning ranges for common jobs, not quotes, local averages or price guarantees. The contractor prices your job after seeing the system: tonnage, efficiency, refrigerant type, access and what else turns up all move the figure.
| Job | Typical planning range | Moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Clear a blocked drain line | $100 to $250 | Clog severity, access |
| Add or replace a float switch | $150 to $350 | Switch type, wiring |
| Replace a drain pan | $250 to $900 | Primary or secondary pan, access |
| Replace a condensate pump | $200 to $500 | Pump type, routing |
How it works
From your call to a contractor
AC Repair Ocala doesn't do heating and cooling work. When you call, you are connected with an independent local heating and cooling contractor that serves your address. That company looks at the system, gives you its price and does the work.
- 1
You call
Say what the system is doing and where the house is. A minute or two is enough.
- 2
You're connected
The call goes to an independent heating and cooling contractor that serves your address.
- 3
They diagnose and price
The contractor looks at the system, explains the problem and gives you a price. You decide whether to go ahead.
AC Leaking Water: common questions
Is it normal for water to drip outside from a pipe?
Yes. That pipe is the condensate drain, and dripping while the AC runs is what it is supposed to do. A dry pipe on a humid day with the AC running can mean a blockage.
Can I clear the drain line myself?
Some homeowners pour a cup of white vinegar into the drain access port every few months to slow algae growth. A full clog usually needs the line vacuumed or flushed. Turn the system off first.
My AC stopped and the pan is full. Is the AC broken?
Possibly not. Many systems have a float switch that turns the AC off when the pan fills. Clearing the drain often gets it running again.
Does it cost anything to call?
No. The call and the connection are free to you. The contractor you are connected with may pay us for the referral. Whatever you agree with them for the work is between you and that company.
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Other help for your system
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Talk to a local AC contractor
When you call, say what the system is doing and where the house is. You are connected with an independent heating and cooling contractor that works in your part of Marion County.