If you’ve noticed water around your indoor unit, dripping from a ceiling vent, or a damp spot near your air handler, you might be dealing with a leak in AC equipment. In Austin, this is one of the most common AC problems we see, especially during the peak cooling season when systems run hard every day.
The good news is most AC leaks are fixable. The bad news is they’re not something you want to ignore. A small leak can turn into water damage, mold growth, or a complete system shutdown if it keeps getting worse. At Solution Finders AC & Heating, we help homeowners find the real cause of the leak and repair it before it becomes a bigger problem.
What “Leak in AC” Usually Means
When homeowners say “my AC is leaking,” they’re typically talking about one of two things:
A water leak (most common)
A refrigerant leak (more serious)
Both issues can create poor cooling, high energy bills, and damage to your equipment or home. Knowing the difference helps you understand what you’re dealing with and what needs to happen next.
Water Leak in AC: The Most Common Causes
Air conditioners remove humidity from the air while they cool your home. That moisture turns into condensation, and it’s supposed to drain safely through the condensate line. When something interrupts that drainage, the water backs up and leaks where it shouldn’t.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
A clogged drain line is the #1 reason a leak in AC systems happens in Texas. Over time, algae, dirt, and debris build up in the drain pipe. When it blocks, condensation has nowhere to go, so it overflows into the drain pan and spills out around the unit.
You might notice a steady drip, puddles near the indoor unit, or even the system turning off if a safety switch is doing its job. This is one of those issues that starts small and then suddenly becomes “why is my ceiling wet?”
Overflowing or Damaged Drain Pan
Your drain pan is designed to catch moisture and guide it into the drain line. But if the pan is cracked, rusted, or overwhelmed by backup water, it can spill over.
Older systems are more likely to have pan problems, especially when the unit is installed in an attic and exposed to Austin heat and humidity year after year.
Frozen Evaporator Coil That Melts
A leak can also show up after the indoor coil freezes. When that frozen coil thaws, it creates more water than the pan and drain system can handle, leading to overflow.
Coil freezing usually happens because of airflow problems or refrigerant issues, which means the leak you see may be a symptom—not the root issue.
Dirty Air Filter Restricting Airflow
A dirty air filter can absolutely lead to a leak in AC equipment. When airflow is restricted, the evaporator coil gets too cold and can freeze. Once it melts, you get excess water and leaks around the indoor unit.
In Austin, a filter can get clogged fast because your system runs constantly. If you haven’t changed it in a while, this is an easy first thing to check.
Condensate Pump Failure (If Your System Has One)
Some HVAC setups use a condensate pump to move water out, especially when natural gravity drainage isn’t possible. If that pump fails, water backs up and you’ll get leaking around the air handler.
Condensate pumps don’t last forever, and when they go bad, the leak can appear suddenly.
Refrigerant Leak in AC: Why It’s More Serious
Refrigerant is what allows your system to absorb heat and cool your home. It doesn’t “get used up.” If it’s low, that means it’s leaking from somewhere in the sealed system.
A refrigerant leak can cause poor cooling, system strain, frozen coils, and compressor damage. It’s also not something you can fix with a DIY recharge kit. The leak has to be located and repaired, then the system has to be recharged correctly.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Not every refrigerant leak is obvious, but common signs include:
Warm air or weak cooling even when the AC is running
Longer run times and trouble holding temperature
Higher-than-normal energy bills
Ice on the copper lines or indoor coil
Occasional hissing or bubbling noises near the unit
If you notice these signs along with a leak in AC performance, it’s time to shut the system down and have it checked. Running it low on refrigerant can cause expensive damage.
What to Do Right Away If You Find a Leak in AC Equipment
If you catch it early, you can prevent a lot of damage.
First, turn the AC off at the thermostat. That stops the system from producing more condensation and gives you a chance to investigate. Then check the air filter. If it’s dirty, replace it. Sometimes that alone helps prevent the coil from freezing again.
Next, look for standing water around the unit or inside the drain pan. If you see water building up, it’s likely a drain issue. Don’t keep restarting the system to “test it.” That usually makes the problem worse and can lead to ceiling damage if the unit is in an attic.
If water is already dripping from a ceiling vent or stain is forming, stop running the system completely and protect the area below. That’s a sign the leak has progressed beyond a simple drip.
Can You Fix a Leak in AC Yourself?
Some small problems are safe to address as a homeowner, but only if you keep it simple.
Things you can do safely include replacing the air filter, making sure vents aren’t blocked, and drying up the area so you can monitor if the leak returns.
However, if the leak continues, the drain line is clogged deep, the coil is frozen, or refrigerant is involved, you’ll want a licensed HVAC tech. AC leaks are one of those problems that can look minor while hiding a bigger issue behind it.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
A leak in AC equipment isn’t just annoying. It can lead to water damage, ruined insulation, warped drywall, and mold growth—especially in humid climates. It can also trigger safety shutoffs that leave you without cooling when you need it most.
If your unit keeps leaking, keeps freezing up, or keeps shutting off, that’s your system telling you the problem isn’t going away on its own.
How Solution Finders AC & Heating Fixes AC Leaks in Austin
When you call Solution Finders AC & Heating, we don’t just mop up the water and walk away. We figure out why it’s happening and fix the root issue so it stays fixed.
Depending on what we find, we may clear and flush the drain line, inspect the drain pan, confirm proper drainage, test the safety switch, check airflow, and look for signs of refrigerant leaks or coil freezing.
No guesswork. No temporary band-aids.
Need Help With a Leak in AC? Call Solution Finders Today
If you’re dealing with a leak in AC equipment at your home in Austin, don’t wait until it becomes water damage or a breakdown. The sooner you get it inspected, the faster you’ll get your comfort back—and the less it usually costs to fix.
Call Solution Finders AC & Heating today to schedule AC leak repair in Austin, TX. We’ll find the problem, fix it right, and get your system back to running clean, dry, and cold.
