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AC Leaking Water Inside
in Garland, TX
Your AC pulls moisture out of the air and drains it away through a small pipe called the condensate drain line. In Garland's humid summers, that line handles a lot of water and algae grows in it fast. When the line clogs and the drain pan overflows, water ends up on your floor, in your ceiling, or on the air handler itself.
Quick Answer
Water leaking from the indoor AC unit in Garland is almost always a clogged condensate drain line or a frozen coil that thawed. The drain line gets clogged with algae because of the humidity here, and water backs up into the drain pan and overflows. Call (361) 338-5229 when you see standing water, because it can damage ceilings, walls, and the air handler itself.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Water pooling on the floor around the indoor air handler
- Water stains on the ceiling below the attic air handler
- Musty or mildew smell near the indoor unit
- The safety float switch shut the system off and it won't restart
- Rust stains on the outside of the air handler cabinet
Root Causes
What Causes AC Leaking Water Inside?
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Algae and slime build up inside the condensate drain line over the summer. Once the line clogs, water fills the drain pan and spills out. Garland's humidity from June through September means the drain line stays wet and warm, which is exactly where algae grows fastest.
The Fix
Drain Line Flush and Treatment
The technician clears the clog using a wet vacuum or pressurized flush, then treats the line with an algae-inhibiting tablet. Doing this once a year before summer prevents most drain overflows.
Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan
The drain pan sits under the evaporator coil and catches condensation. In systems that are 15 or more years old, the metal pan rusts through or the plastic pan cracks. Garland homes built in the late 1990s and early 2000s are hitting that age range now, and pan failures are becoming common.
The Fix
Drain Pan Replacement
A cracked plastic pan gets replaced with a new one. A rusted metal pan gets replaced and the area is inspected for any mold that formed underneath.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Clogged Condensate Drain Line | Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan |
|---|---|---|
| System shut off on its own and won't turn back on | ||
| Water dripping even after drain line was recently cleared | ||
| Visible rust or crack on the pan under the coil | ||
| Musty smell but no visible standing water | ||
| Water stain on ceiling below attic air handler |
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