Is your air handler leaking water into your home? Any kind of home water leak is bad, and, unfortunately, your HVAC unit is one place where this issue could crop up. If you find unexpected water damage and you think the air handler is responsible, this is a problem you need to solve quickly. Not only should you be concerned about water damage, but a leaky air handler might be a sign of larger problems elsewhere. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to figure out what's going on. You might even be able to solve the problem yourself. So, when you find an air handler leaking water, it might be because....

Clogged Condensate Drain

The air handling unit might be leaking due to a simple as a clogged drain pipe. Every air handler will have one to exhaust condensation outside your home. Check the pipe. If it's clogged, clean it out. You don't need any special tools, and that should solve your problem. It's an easy fix, but too many times it's something anxious homeowners overlook.

Extreme Humidity

An air handler installed in a space with exceptionally high humidity could see water form on the cabinet or other surfaces before dripping down the sides. This isn't as common, but it can happen. The simplest fix is to put a portable dehumidifier in the space to reduce the humidity level.

Dirty, Filthy Coil

A dirty evaporator coil can reduce both energy efficiency at the same time it blocks water trying to move to the drain pan. The water is still going to go somewhere. So, instead of hitting the drain pan, it goes other places, and those other places are usually not places you want water collecting. Get a professional coil cleaning to solve this problem.

Not One of the Above?

If you've ruled out all the above and still have a water problem, the source maybe more complicated than the average homeowner can handle.  We recommend you contact a professional to diagnose the problem. Have you successfully solved an air handler problem at your home? If so, let us know in the comments.