Why Is My AC Leaking Water in Colliers, WV?

Quick Answer

If your AC is leaking water in Colliers, 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. Larger homes, longer duct and drain runs, and higher cooling demand common in Colliers make all three more likely. AC water leaks should never be ignored because they often signal a 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 bleach or chemicals into the drain
• Vacuum or redirect water without diagnosing the cause
• Tape hoses or create temporary drain paths
• Restart cooling after the leak appears to stop

Water problems escalate quickly in larger, higher-demand 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 Colliers homes, not generic HVAC advice.

Why AC Water Leaks Are So Common in Colliers Homes

Colliers homes often place higher demands on AC systems than nearby towns.

We commonly see:

• Larger square footage homes
• Long duct and condensate drain runs
• Multi-level layouts
• Added rooms or garages tied into existing systems
• Air handlers located far from conditioned spaces

Longer runs reduce drainage margin and make airflow issues more likely to show up as water leaks.

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 Colliers.

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

Problems occur when:

• Sludge or algae clogs the drain
• Long drain runs collect buildup
• Drain slope degrades over time
• Vertical basement drains back up

Longer drain lines clog more easily and drain more slowly.

2. A Frozen AC That Thaws

Many Colliers leaks are actually the after-effect of a freeze-up.

Freeze-ups are caused by:

• Restricted airflow over long duct runs
• Dirty evaporator coils
• Low refrigerant from aging line sets

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

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 compressed
• Airflow is uneven across larger homes

Condensation dripping from ducts or cabinets often looks 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

Some older Colliers 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 diagnostic clues.

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 expensive 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 Colliers Home Example

We worked on a large two-story Colliers home with long duct runs and a basement air handler that repeatedly leaked water during extended heat.

The causes included:

• A partially clogged condensate drain
• A prior freeze-up from airflow imbalance
• Duct insulation deteriorating over time

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

The Most Common Mistake Homeowners Make Here

Closing vents to force air to certain rooms.

In larger homes, this reduces total airflow and often causes freeze-ups that lead to water leaks.

Who This Article Is (And Is Not) For

This is for you if:

• You see water around your AC or furnace
• Leaks appear during long cooling cycles
• Your home is larger or multi-level

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

• Steubenville, OH
• Wintersville, OH
• Toronto, OH
• Mingo Junction, OH
• Brilliant, OH
• Weirton, WV
• Follansbee, WV
• Wellsburg, WV
• New Cumberland, 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.