Why Is My AC Leaking Water in Brilliant, OH?

Quick Answer

If your AC is leaking water in Brilliant, the most common causes are a clogged or failed condensate drain, a system freezing up and then thawing, or excess condensation caused by airflow and insulation problems. Older homes, long duct and drain runs, and basement installations common in Brilliant make all three more likely. AC water leaks should never be ignored because they often signal drainage failure or system imbalance.

What To Do Immediately If You See Water Leaking

Turn the cooling OFF immediately.

Do not continue running the system and do not restart cooling until the source of the water is identified.

Do NOT:

• Pour chemicals or bleach into the drain
• Shop-vac water without diagnosing the cause
• Tape hoses or redirect dripping water
• Restart cooling after the leak appears to stop

Water problems escalate quickly in older mechanical systems.

Why You Can Trust This Explanation

I’m Scott Merritt, and I’ve been working in residential HVAC since 1994.

Over the last 30+ years, I’ve diagnosed, repaired, and replaced thousands of systems and trained hundreds of technicians across Ohio, including throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.

This article reflects repeat AC water-leak patterns we see every summer in real Brilliant homes, not generic HVAC advice.

Why AC Water Leaks Are So Common in Brilliant Homes

Brilliant homes often operate AC systems with less margin than newer builds.

We commonly see:

• Older homes built before modern HVAC standards
• Long duct and condensate drain runs
• Air handlers installed in basements or utility rooms
• Aging drain piping and fittings
• Insulation that has deteriorated over time

When drainage, airflow, or insulation slips slightly, water often shows up fast.

The Three Real Reasons an AC Leaks Water

1. Clogged or Failed Condensate Drain

This is the most common cause of AC water leaks in Brilliant.

As your AC removes humidity, water must drain away safely.

Problems occur when:

• Sludge or algae clogs the drain
• Older PVC or metal drain lines crack
• Drain slope degrades over time
• Long horizontal or vertical runs back up

Longer drain runs in older homes clog more easily and drain more slowly.

2. A Frozen AC That Thaws

Many Brilliant water leaks are actually the result of a freeze-up that already occurred.

Freeze-ups are caused by:

• Restricted airflow from aging ductwork
• Dirty evaporator coils
• Low refrigerant from older line sets

When ice melts, water overwhelms the drain pan and spills into the surrounding area.

3. Excess Condensation (Not a Drain Failure)

Sometimes the system isn’t leaking — it’s sweating.

This happens when:

• Cold ductwork runs through humid basements
• Insulation is missing or deteriorated
• Airflow is uneven across long duct runs

Condensation dripping from ducts or the cabinet can look identical to a drain failure.

Drain Pans and Safety Switches Matter

Most systems include:

• A primary drain pan inside the unit
• Sometimes a secondary or emergency pan

If the primary drain clogs:

• Water spills into the cabinet or onto the floor

If the secondary pan fills:

• The issue has already progressed

Many older Brilliant systems do not include condensate safety switches, allowing water damage before shutdown.

Leak Location Tells You the Likely Cause

• Water under the air handler: Drain clog or pan overflow
• Large puddle after cooling shuts off: Thawed freeze-up
• Water on duct insulation: Condensation issue
• Ceiling stains below the unit: Drain or pan failure

Leak location is one of the fastest ways to narrow the cause.

Why Water Leaks Get Worse Fast

Water problems rarely stay minor.

A common progression looks like this:

Water buildup → insulation damage → airflow loss → freeze-up → compressor risk

Early diagnosis prevents secondary damage.

How Maintenance Prevents AC Water Leaks

Most water leaks develop gradually as:

• Drain lines collect buildup
• Coils accumulate dirt
• Filters restrict airflow
• Minor refrigerant issues worsen

Routine maintenance keeps drains clear and airflow balanced. Documented yearly maintenance is also required to keep repair and installation guarantees active.

A Real Brilliant Home Example

We worked on a 1950s Brilliant home with a basement air handler and long drain run that repeatedly leaked water near the furnace.

The causes included:

• A partially clogged condensate drain
• A prior freeze-up from restricted airflow
• Duct insulation that had broken down over time

Once drainage, airflow, and insulation were corrected together, the water problem stopped.

The Most Common Mistake Homeowners Make Here

Assuming water leaks are just part of owning an older home.

They aren’t. Leaks indicate imbalance. Restarting the system without diagnosis often leads to repeat damage.

Who This Article Is (And Is Not) For

This is for you if:

• You see water around your AC or furnace
• Leaks appear during hot weather
• Your home has older ductwork or drain piping

This may not apply if:

• Water is coming from plumbing lines
• You use ductless mini-splits
• The leak only occurs during heavy rain

What Guarantees Apply If Your AC Needs Repair

Honest Fix Service Trust Guardian (Repairs & Diagnostics)

AC water-leak repairs are protected by our Service Trust Guardian, which includes:

• A 5-year labor warranty on covered repairs
• A 60-day satisfaction guarantee
• No overtime or after-hours charges
• On-time arrival and clean-work commitments

These guarantees remain active with documented yearly maintenance, consistent with manufacturer requirements.

If Water Leaks Lead to System Replacement

Honest Fix Lifetime Trust Shield (New Installations)

If replacement becomes the right decision, new systems are protected by our Lifetime Trust Shield, which includes:

• Long-term labor coverage
• A full money-back satisfaction period
• A no-lemon replacement guarantee
• Energy performance accountability
• Apples-to-apples price protection

These protections are written and designed for homeowners in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Other Ohio Valley Communities Where AC Water Leaks Are Common

We see similar AC water-leak issues in nearby towns, including:

• Steubenville, OH
• Wintersville, OH
• Toronto, OH
• Mingo Junction, OH
• Weirton, WV
• Follansbee, WV
• Wellsburg, WV
• New Cumberland, WV
• Colliers, WV
• Hooverson Heights, WV

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I keep running my AC if it’s leaking water?

No. Continued operation can cause water and electrical damage.

Is an AC water leak always a drain problem?

No. Freeze-ups and condensation are very common causes.

What guarantees do you offer?

Repairs are protected by the Service Trust Guardian.

New installations are protected by the Lifetime Trust Shield.

What To Do Next

An AC water leak is a warning sign that drainage, airflow, or system balance is off. Addressing it early prevents structural damage and larger system failures.

Call Honest Fix today for a free exact quote.

You can also learn about our guarantees before you decide.