Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Draining Water?

If your air conditioning unit is not properly draining water, that could be a very bad sign. Whatever is going on, it’s important to address it quickly to make sure that your system continues to work properly and doesn’t break down when you need it most. 
Potential Causes
With an air conditioner condenser not draining the way it’s supposed to, you know there is most likely something going on between the system and the drain pan. Possibly the most common reason for this kind of problem is going to be a clog in the drain line. 
When the water builds up in the drain line, it creates an ideal environment for mold to grow. Mats of bacteria will develop and block the whole line from draining properly. If left unfixed, the drainage pan may start to overflow with water and the mold may eventually get into the air ducts or cut off the airflow to the system. These issues can spiral into other challenges including poor air quality and a frozen A/C unit. 
Leaks are also a frequent issue when you’re not seeing the condensate drain properly. An overflowing drainage pan will likely create a leak, and you may see other leaks when the drain pan or line starts to corrode or form cracks from age and stress. 
Resolving Problems in the Drain
Regular drainage is essential for your air conditioning system to stay effective and efficient for a long time. Some units also use the condensate that drains out to stop the unit from overheating, so a problem there can escalate quickly. 
Your best strategy to get your unit working well again will depend on the issue. If the problem has progressed far enough that you have substantial leaks or structural issues, you may need to call upon a professional.
Otherwise, there are many things you can do to help your air conditioner condenser drain better and fix whatever clogs you find in the line. Physically moving your unit or angling it so that it can drain more easily can be a quick and easy fix for a big build-up if you have the kind of unit you can adjust like this. 
Manually opening and draining the system and using a wire or brush to scrub the pan and any part of the line you can reach may be enough to fix a lot of minor clogs as well. A shop vacuum can help you extract large amounts of water. If the clog continues or you discover significant cracks and defects while doing your cleaning, this will alert you to the need for an appointment with a technician.  
Keeping it Clean
Hopefully, with just a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be able to get your AC unit working properly without any horrible mess or expensive fixes. Keeping your air conditioner in great shape can help you save money on your AC unit. You might also want to schedule your system for preventive maintenance in the future to handle any issues that arise. 
You can also make cleaning your drain pan and line a regular part of your home maintenance routine. You can do it yourself with boiling water or other common household supplies. Keeping your AC running is a straightforward but absolutely essential part of being a responsible homeowner. [save money on your AC unit]
Photo by Mak on Unsplash

If your air conditioning unit is not properly draining water, that could be a very bad sign. Whatever is going on, it’s important to address it quickly to make sure that your system continues to work properly and doesn’t break down when you need it most. 

Potential Causes

With an air conditioner condenser not draining the way it’s supposed to, you know there is most likely something going on between the system and the drain pan. Possibly the most common reason for this kind of problem is going to be a clog in the drain line. 

When the water builds up in the drain line, it creates an ideal environment for mold to grow. Mats of bacteria will develop and block the whole line from draining properly. If left unfixed, the drainage pan may start to overflow with water and the mold may eventually get into the air ducts or cut off the airflow to the system. These issues can spiral into other challenges including poor air quality and a frozen A/C unit. 

Leaks are also a frequent issue when you’re not seeing the condensate drain properly. An overflowing drainage pan will likely create a leak, and you may see other leaks when the drain pan or line starts to corrode or form cracks from age and stress. 

Resolving Problems in the Drain

Regular drainage is essential for your air conditioning system to stay effective and efficient for a long time. Some units also use the condensate that drains out to stop the unit from overheating, so a problem there can escalate quickly. 

Your best strategy to get your unit working well again will depend on the issue. If the problem has progressed far enough that you have substantial leaks or structural issues, you may need to call upon a professional.

Otherwise, there are many things you can do to help your air conditioner condenser drain better and fix whatever clogs you find in the line. Physically moving your unit or angling it so that it can drain more easily can be a quick and easy fix for a big build-up if you have the kind of unit you can adjust like this. 

Manually opening and draining the system and using a wire or brush to scrub the pan and any part of the line you can reach may be enough to fix a lot of minor clogs as well. A shop vacuum can help you extract large amounts of water. If the clog continues or you discover significant cracks and defects while doing your cleaning, this will alert you to the need for an appointment with a technician.  

Keeping it Clean

Hopefully, with just a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be able to get your AC unit working properly without any horrible mess or expensive fixes. Keeping your air conditioner in great shape can help you save money on your AC unit. You might also want to schedule your system for preventive maintenance in the future to handle any issues that arise. 

You can also make cleaning your drain pan and line a regular part of your home maintenance routine. You can do it yourself with boiling water or other common household supplies. Keeping your AC running is a straightforward but absolutely essential part of being a responsible homeowner. [save money on your AC unit]