Water pooling under the indoor unit, dripping from a ceiling, or staining the drywall — an air conditioner makes gallons of condensate on a humid Stuart day, and all of it has to drain somewhere. When the drain clogs, the water goes wherever gravity takes it.
This is urgent if water is actively dripping through a ceiling. Otherwise, work the checks below, then call us to clear and treat the line.
Why It Happens
Algae and biofilm grow inside the condensate drain line — dark, damp, and fed by Florida humidity — until the line chokes shut. The drain pan fills, the float switch trips (killing the system to prevent a flood), or the pan overflows where no switch was installed.
Less common causes: a cracked drain pan, a frozen coil thawing all at once, or a drain line that was never pitched correctly and holds standing water. We determine which on the visit.
What You Can Do Right Now
Turn the system off if water is actively leaking — running it makes more condensate. If you can see the drain line's outdoor termination, check whether it's visibly clogged with algae or mulch. A wet/dry vacuum on the outdoor drain opening can pull a soft clog in a pinch.
Put a towel down, and if water is coming through a ceiling, put a bucket under it and call us at (561) 786-1337 — ceiling water does not wait.
The Real Fix and Prevention
We clear the line, flush and treat it to kill the algae, verify the pitch, check the pan and the float switch, and confirm drainage with the system running. If the pan is cracked or the line is improperly routed, we quote that repair honestly.
Prevention is a maintenance item: drain treatment on every tune-up keeps the algae from rebuilding. Ask for it on your next maintenance visit — it is the cheapest flood insurance in the house.
Common questions
Is a leaking AC an emergency?
If water is dripping through a ceiling or pooling on floors, treat it as urgent — water damage compounds fast. Turn the system off and call (561) 786-1337.
Why does my AC keep shutting off?
Probably the float switch doing its job: the drain clogged, the pan filled, and the switch killed the system to prevent flooding. Clearing the drain brings it back.
Can I pour bleach in the drain line?
A small amount of vinegar is the gentler DIY option; harsh chemicals can damage the pan and line. We treat drains professionally on maintenance visits, which lasts longer.
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(561) 786-1337