✓ SAME-DAY SERVICE ✓ AFTER-HOURS & WEEKENDS ✓ LICENSED & INSURED
Why Is My AC Leaking Water Inside My House?
Finding water around your AC can be concerning, especially when the leak is inside your home. An air conditioner can leak water for several reasons, including a clogged condensate drain, a dirty air filter, a frozen coil, or another system issue. Here are some things you can safely check and what to do if the leak continues.
The 5 Real Causes
What's Actually Causing the Leak
1
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The most common cause by far. Algae, dust, and mold build up inside the drain line over time, backing water up until it overflows into your home instead of draining outside.
2
Cracked or Rusted Drain Pan
The pan under the indoor coil catches condensation, but it wears out with age. Once it cracks or rusts through, water drips straight past it and onto the floor below.
3
A Frozen Coil That's Thawing
If the coil froze from a dirty filter or low refrigerant, all that ice turns into water as it melts, often more than the drain pan or line can handle at once.
4
Disconnected or Damaged Drain Line
A loose fitting, a cracked PVC line, or a line knocked apart during other work lets condensation empty out wherever the gap is, often inside a wall or attic first.
5
Unit Not Level
Indoor air handlers and window units need to sit level (or with a slight tilt toward the drain) to channel water where it belongs. A shifted unit sends it the wrong way.
6
Failed or Clogged Condensate Pump
Systems in attics or basements often rely on a small pump to move water out. When it clogs or burns out, condensation has nowhere to go but down.
Do this before we arrive
​What to Do Right Now
Turn the system off completely
Switch off at the thermostat, and flip the breaker if you can. Don't just set it to "off" and walk away leave it fully powered down.
Protect the floor and ceiling
Towels, a shallow pan, or a wet/dry vac under the drip point limit water damage while you wait for a tech.
Check for the shut-off float switch
Many systems auto-shut-off when the pan fills. If yours already did, that's confirmation leave it off until it's fixed.
Look for the drain line outside
It's usually a white PVC pipe near the outdoor unit. If nothing is dripping from it, that supports a clog.
Don't pour anything down the line yourself
Vinegar or bleach can help occasionally, but the wrong mix or pressure can push the clog further in. Let a tech clear it properly.
Photograph any ceiling or wall staining
Useful for your records and for insurance if the leak has been going on for a while.
Why homeowners call us first
Frozen AC Repair You Can Actually Get Today
Same-Day Service
Call before end of day and we'll do everything we can to get a technician to you today.
After-Hours & Weekends
AC problems don't wait for business hours — neither do we. Nights and weekends included.
Upfront, Flat-Rate Pricing
You'll know the cost before we start. No surprise fees for showing up after hours.
Licensed Local Technicians
Florida-licensed HVAC pros (CAC1821934) based right here in St. Petersburg.
Know when to stop mopping and call it in
Signs This Isn't a One-Time Drip
-
The leak keeps coming back after you clean it up
-
Water is stained or discolored (mold, rust, or dirt)
-
A musty smell near the vents or air handler
-
The system shuts off on its own repeatedly
-
Ceiling stains or sagging drywall below the unit
-
Water pooling even right after the filter was changed
-
The air handler or attic unit is more than 8-10 years old
-
You can hear gurgling in the drain line
Don't Let It Damage Your Ceiling or Floors
One call gets a licensed tech on the way, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Serving St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Area
Local & ready
Based at 1700 4th St S in St. Petersburg, our team responds throughout Pinellas County and beyond. Not in St. Pete? We also cover: