Water dripping from your AC unit, a wet patch on the ceiling, or water pooling around the indoor air handler — these aren't minor issues. In Florida, an AC water leak can destroy drywall and flooring within hours and cause mold within days. Here's how to identify the cause and what it'll cost to fix.
🚨 Shut the AC off at the breaker NOW if water is dripping from the ceiling or pooling near the indoor unit. Continuing to run it can cause thousands in drywall, flooring, and electrical damage. Then call us — we dispatch within 60 minutes.
The drain line carries condensation from your AC outside. In Florida, it clogs with algae, mold, and biofilm within 12–18 months without flushing. Symptoms: water in the overflow pan, AC stops cooling suddenly (float switch trips), gurgling sound at indoor unit. 30-minute fix.
The pan under the indoor coil collects condensation. Plastic pans crack with age (10+ years), galvanized pans rust through. Symptoms: slow steady drip near indoor unit even when drain line is clear. We can sometimes seal small cracks; replacement is the long-term fix.
When a frozen coil melts, it dumps water beyond what the drain pan can handle. Symptoms: large amount of water all at once, then nothing, then again. Underlying cause is restricted airflow or low refrigerant — must fix that AND the leak.
If your drain line gets disconnected (common with attic units after roof work) or damaged (rodents chewing it), water dumps into the attic instead of outside. Symptoms: water staining on ceiling, no water visible at outdoor drain point.
Some installers run drain lines without proper slope or trap. Result: water backs up and overflows from day one. If you JUST had a new AC installed and it's leaking — that's the issue.
In humid Florida air, uninsulated ducts or refrigerant lines 'sweat' and drip. Symptoms: water along ducts in the attic, not near the AC unit itself. Fix: insulating wrap or replacement of damaged insulation.
Run through these in order — about 30% of calls are resolved by the homeowner with these checks.
Set thermostat to OFF or flip the breaker. Don't run it while leaking.
Most indoor AC units have a secondary 'safety' pan under them. If water is pooling there, the primary drain is clogged.
Find the drain line cleanout (white PVC pipe with cap near the indoor unit). Pour 1 cup white vinegar OR 1/4 cup bleach down it. Wait 30 minutes. This sometimes clears mild clogs.
Drain lines usually exit outside near the outdoor AC unit. Look for a small PVC pipe dripping water during operation. If it's NOT dripping when AC runs, it's clogged inside.
Wipe up standing water. In Florida humidity, mold can start growing in 24–48 hours.
Call us immediately if: (1) water is dripping from the ceiling, (2) the DIY drain flush didn't fix it within an hour, (3) the AC won't turn back on after a leak, or (4) you smell musty/moldy odor. We dispatch within 60 minutes and most leak repairs are done in 30–90 minutes for $129–$425.
📞 Get Help Now — (855) 417-8866By far the #1 cause is a clogged condensate drain line — algae, mold, and Florida humidity clog these every 12–18 months. Other causes: cracked drain pan, frozen coil thawing, disconnected drain, or sweating ducts.
Yes — Florida humidity grows mold in 24–48 hours, and water dripping into drywall can cause $1,000s in damage. Shut off the AC and call us same-day.
Most fixes run $129–$425. Drain line clearing: $129–$225. Drain pan replacement: $185–$395. Disconnected drain repair: $195–$425. Sweating ducts: $295–$795.
Sometimes — pouring vinegar or bleach down the cleanout port can clear mild clogs. But persistent clogs require shop vac suction at the outdoor end, and recurring leaks need diagnosis of the root cause (improper slope, biofilm buildup, etc.).
Sudden, accidental leaks (like a cracked pan) are usually covered. Slow leaks from poor maintenance are usually NOT covered. Document the damage with photos before cleanup and call your insurer same-day.
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