Noticed water around your air conditioner? If you live in St. Catharines, you’re not alone. A leaking AC is one of those things that catches many homeowners by surprise, especially during peak cooling seasons. It usually starts small — maybe a couple of drops beneath the unit or a slightly musty smell — but it can quickly turn into something more frustrating. The good news is, it’s a fixable problem. Leaks don’t mean the whole air conditioner is failing, but they do mean your system needs attention.
Ignoring it can lead to water damage, mould growth, and poor cooling. St. Catharines summers can get muggy, and when your air conditioning starts leaking, you’re not just losing comfort, you’re also risking damage to your walls, floors, and ceilings. Getting ahead of it means spotting the warning signs and knowing what to do next.
Signs Your AC Unit Is Leaking Water
Sometimes, the signs are harder to catch than you’d think. A small drip today can lead to a bigger issue before long. Whether it’s from condensation buildup or something more complicated, here are a few clear warning signs homeowners in St. Catharines should watch for:
– Puddles or damp spots: Water might collect around the base of your indoor unit. This often shows up as a small puddle on the floor or dampness on nearby carpet or tile.
– Wet walls or ceiling stains: If your unit is mounted near or above living spaces, you may notice water stains or soft spots on the drywall.
– Higher humidity: Your AC is supposed to pull moisture from the air, not add more. A leaking system can leave your rooms feeling humid and sticky.
– Musty smells: Water where it doesn’t belong creates the perfect environment for mould or mildew. A musty odour near the unit is worth paying attention to.
These signs can appear slowly or come on fast, depending on the source of the leak. One homeowner in St. Catharines noticed damp socks every time they walked past the unit in their hallway. A closer look revealed a trickle of water running from the AC’s base, puddling along the trim. Catching it early saved them from removing a water-soaked section of the wall.
Staying on top of small symptoms now helps prevent major repairs later. That’s why spotting these problems early is an important step.
Common Causes Of Water Leaks In Your AC
Once you’ve confirmed the AC is leaking, the next part is figuring out why. There isn’t one single cause for this issue. Several things might be going on inside your system. Knowing what these are makes it easier to understand how the leak started and what steps to take.
1. Clogged drain line: The most common cause of an AC leak. Over time, dust, dirt and debris can clog the condensate line. When this pipe is blocked, the water that should drain out ends up backing into the unit or dripping in unexpected spots.
2. Frozen evaporator coil: If there’s not enough airflow or refrigerant, the coil can freeze. Once it begins to thaw, the melting ice can overwhelm the drainage system, creating water buildup around your system.
3. Broken or tilted drain pan: Older systems often have rusted or cracked pans. If the pan that collects water from the unit is damaged, it won’t be able to hold and drain water properly.
4. Low refrigerant: When refrigerant is low, your system strains to keep cool, sometimes freezing up the coil. This eventually leads to more condensation and water leakage once the ice melts.
5. Poor installation: If your unit isn’t level or the drainage system wasn’t installed correctly, water might flow the wrong way or collect where it shouldn’t.
Each of these problems might look the same at first glance — wet floor, weird smell, or poor cooling — but they have different fixes. That’s why diagnosing the exact cause is important before any proper repair can begin. If more than one issue is going on, the leak can grow faster, making it harder to control.
Getting to the root of the problem early means less mess for your home and fewer long-term headaches. The next step is knowing how to respond before the damage spreads.
Immediate Steps To Take When You Notice A Leak
Once you see signs of water around your AC system, don’t ignore it. Even a small amount of moisture can turn into a bigger headache if left alone — especially when summer is heating up in St. Catharines. The first few steps you take can help stop the damage from spreading while you figure out the next move.
Here’s what to do right away:
– Turn off the system: Start by switching off your air conditioner at the thermostat. This helps stop more water from building up while keeping things safe during inspection.
– Check for a clogged drain line: If you can safely access the drain line and it looks blocked, gently see if anything obvious is clogging it. Sometimes dust and dirt back up and lead to leaks.
– Let frozen components thaw: If you suspect the coil is frozen, let the system sit off for a few hours. Trying to run the unit while it’s frozen can make the leak worse.
– Mop up or vacuum the water: Use a towel or wet/dry vacuum to clean up any puddles around or underneath the unit. This lowers the risk of water damage and helps keep mould away.
These simple steps help buy time before a bigger issue shows up. Just be mindful — if you’ve had more than one leak or you’re unsure what caused it, you’ll want to have it inspected. AC systems are more complex than they look, and poking around too much can sometimes make things worse.
When To Call A Professional
There are times when a leaking AC is more than a quick fix. If the same leak pops up again or water keeps showing in different areas, it’s likely something deeper is going on. It might be tempting to troubleshoot every little detail on your own, but you could end up damaging the system or misdiagnosing the source of the problem.
Call in a trained technician when:
– You’ve tried clearing the drain line but it’s still leaking.
– Water damage is showing up on floors, carpets, or walls.
– Strange sounds like hissing, gurgling, or loud buzzing are coming from the unit.
– There’s a musty smell that won’t go away even after drying the area.
– Your air feels warm or takes longer than usual to cool the space.
Some homeowners in St. Catharines wait until their AC completely stops working before calling someone in. But by then, they may be facing water-damaged drywall, a soaked floorboard, or worse. Getting someone to look at it earlier can help avoid those risks and keep the cooling running smoothly through the summer.
Even if it seems like a small puddle, repeated leaks point to problems deeper inside the system — things like low refrigerant, worn parts, or installation errors that need more than a quick wipe and restart.
Keeping Your St. Catharines Home Cool And Dry
Dealing with a leaky air conditioner isn’t how anyone wants to spend their summer, but it’s a common issue that can be managed if handled quickly and properly. Watching out for puddles under your unit, rising humidity, or musty smells helps you catch the warning signs early. And once you know what to look out for, it’s easier to decide when it’s a minor fix and when it’s time to bring in expert help.
Being proactive can save you a lot of hassle down the road. Whether it’s a clogged drain, frozen coil, or a more hidden issue, leaks left untreated usually don’t just go away. Regular AC checks during warmer months are a simple way to stay ahead of any problems and keep the air in your home clean, cool, and dry through every St. Catharines heatwave.
If leaky AC issues are slowing you down, consider taking steps now to keep your system in great shape and prevent more damage later. At Niagara Home Heating, we understand how disruptions in comfort can throw off your day, so maintaining a well-installed unit matters. Regular care helps keep your home cool and dry, which is why staying on top of proper setup and service is important for air conditioning in St. Catharines. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.
