AC Leaking Water in Tallahassee

Common causes of AC water leaks

• Clogged condensate drain line — biological growth builds a slimy plug, especially in humid climates with long run times.
• Full or rusted drain pan, or a secondary pan that has never been used until now.
• Disconnected or improperly sloped drain line, so water backs up instead of flowing out.
• Frozen evaporator coil that thaws and overwhelms the pan.
• Dirty coil or blower causing water to be blown off the coil past the pan edge.
• Failed condensate pump in systems where drainage requires one.
• Missing or degraded insulation on refrigerant lines, producing condensation that looks like a leak.

What to do right now

• Turn the system off at the thermostat to stop producing more condensate.
• Place towels or a container to protect flooring, and move anything valuable out of the area.
• Look for water staining on ceilings below attic-mounted equipment.
• Check the outdoor drain termination — usually a PVC stub near the condenser. No dripping during operation on a humid day is a clue.
• Do not run the system again until the cause is identified if water is near electrical components.

Why attic air handlers deserve extra attention

Many Tallahassee homes, including a lot of 1990s and 2000s construction in Killearn and Bradfordville, place the air handler in the attic. A drain problem there can go unnoticed until a ceiling stains or a light fixture fills.

Secondary drain pans and float switches exist for exactly this reason. If your system shut itself off before you saw water, that protection did its job.

Preventing repeat leaks

Drain maintenance is one of the few things that genuinely reduces summer emergency calls here. Routine service typically includes clearing and treating the line, confirming pan condition, and verifying that the float switch works.

Filter changes matter too, because a dirty coil holds water differently and sheds it in the wrong places.