Why Is My Portable AC Leaking Water?

Though a portable AC is pretty affordable and flexible, this type of cooler machine gets more problems than a usual AC unit. Among all the problems, unwanted problems of a portable AC, leaking water is the most common one. That’s why most people ask exactly why the portable AC is Leaking water.

There can be several reasons why a portable AC can leak water. A faulty drain hose and a clogged drain line are the most common causes of this issue. There can be many other reasons that often bother your portable AC unit and end up leaking water.

Now, you must be thinking about how you can identify the issue and fix it, right? If yes, no worries. This article is all about this fact. You can simply go through the entire article to learn how to identify the exact reason that causes this issue and also, how to fix it. Though it is not always possible to fix the machine all by yourself, most of the tips I’ll share today work pretty effectively. So let’s dig into the facts very well.

Is It Normal for a Portable AC to Leak Water?

First, we should have a clear idea of whether it is normal for a portable AC to leak water or not. Usually, a portable AC doesn’t leak water as often as a regular working system. However, it is not so rare for a portable air conditioner unit to produce condensation and leak water. As I said before, it is one of the most common problems with portable AC units.

However, this type of machine usually functions by extracting heat and moisture from other air in the room. It results in condensing water as the byproduct of the cooling coils. This condensation is usually collected in a built-in reservoir or pan. It is intended to be evaporated or drained through a hose.

However certain factors can lead to water leakage from a portable AC, like a hole in the draining hose or a full tank issue. Indeed, it is sure that the unit doesn’t release water outside the machines without any internal issues. That’s why, you cannot completely say that it is natural or normal for a portable AC to leak water. There must be an issue that you need to salt out and fix.

Which Part of a Portable AC Does the Water Come From?

To identify the exact problem of a portable AC leaking water, you should have a clear idea of the system of this device. It is essential to understand from which part the water is coming from. It will definitely help you understand the issues quickly.

Generally, a portable air conditioner produces water as a byproduct of its cooling process. This water is condensed from the air and it is essential to drain the water away so that it can’t be stored in the unit. Most portable AC units have a built-in water collection tank to collect the water. This tank is also called the condensate drain pan. If water is leaking from a portable AC, there are a few potential sources:

Condensate Tank

Most portable AC come with a removable water tank that collects the condensed water. If the tank is not properly installed or has a crack or hole, it can cause water to leak. Also, if the water tank is full, it can leak water through the machine.

Drainage hose

Though this option is not available in most portable AC, some of them come with an additional drainage hose. It is for draining the water from the condensate tank continuously. However, if the hose is not properly connected or has a blockage it can cause water leakage.

Air Exhaust Hose

If your portable AC comes with an air exhaust hose, it can also cause unusual water leagues. It happens especially when the hose has a hole or it is damaged. Usually, this hose evaporates condensed water and ejects it to the outside.

These are the parts your portable AC can leak water from. But these are not the only causes for why the unit is behaving like this. There are several reasons why your precious movable AC unit can leak water now and then. Let’s check out the next section to acknowledge the reasons.

Common Reasons Why My Portable AC Is Leaking Water and Solutions

Yes, only the faulty parts of a portable AC can’t be the reason why it is leaking water. And leaking water doesn’t mean your AC is completely broken and you need to buy a new one. It often acts like this because of some easy-to-fix problems.

So, it is essential to learn about the reasons first. It can help you fix the issue by yourself and save a lot of money that you might have to pay for the professional’s help or for buying a new one. However, there can be different causes and some of them can be serious enough to require a professional’s help. So, I’ve divided the causes into two groups one is for issues that are easy to fix and another is for complicated issues.

Issues That Are Easy to Fix

All these issues are simple and there are no functional complications. You can fix these problems all by yourself. So, whenever you face this water leaking problem, you should check these issues. If you are lucky, there will be an issue from the mentioned ones that are easy to fix.

The Air Filter Is Dirty

The most universal reason for this issue is a clogged or dirty air filter. Usually, when an air filter is so dirty that it is completely clogged, it restricts airflow from passing through.

As a result, the evaporator coil gets frozen. When the ice melts, it causes additional water to leak from the machine. It is not a complicated issue for what you need to call a professional. You can simply clear the filter after removing it from the machine.

The Drip Tray Is Full

Most portable air conditioner units are designed with a drip tray that works as a reservoir. The function of this tray is to collect condensation, which means water. If somehow, the tray becomes full and is not emptied or drained, water can overflow and leak from the unit.

So, if your AC unit doesn’t drain water automatically as a function, you need to empty the tank regularly so that it can’t overflow and leak water. As you see, it is not a serious issue as well for what you need to call a professional. Simply, maintain a routine to empty the tank regularly and it will be right.

The Drain Line Is Clogged

As I have said before, the drain hose of a portable AC unit is used to drain the condensed water outside. But sometimes, this draining pipe gets unusual dirt and can be completely clogged. Also, it can have functional issues or can be completely broken. In this case, the drain may not take the water outside from the condensate tank.

As a result, the tank can overflow and that can cause water leakage. If you remove the water from the tank and again find it getting filled sooner, it might be a problem with the hose. To be sure of it, look through the hose after removing it from the unit. If there is dirt inside the hose, remove the dirt and clean it using a long brush. You might need to replace the entire hose if it is somehow damaged.

The Drain Plug Is Loosened

The drain plug is usually located at the bottom of the unit. It unites the AC unit with the drain hose that is used to empty the reservoir or drip tray. If the drain plug is loose or not properly sealed, water cannot pass through the hose as it can’t enter into the hose properly.

In such a situation, your AC unit can leak water from the place where it is connected to the hose. So, you need to check where the water is coming from. If it is coming from the area where the drain plug is located, you have to check the plug immediately and make sure that it is connected properly. If there is any problem with the plug, you can replace it with a new one as well.

So, these are the common causes why the portable air conditioning unit is leaking water that you can fix by yourself. Finding out the exact problem is most crucial here. Once you find it out, it is very easy to fix these issues.

Issues That Require Professional Help

Usually, it is very difficult to find these problems. Still, if you manage to find out any of these problems, you may not fix them yourself unless you are a trained technician. However, we suggest if you don’t find any of the issues mentioned in the above section, you shouldn’t wait to call a technician. These can be the probable causes that require a professional’s help.

The Condensate Pump Is Broken

Some portable AC units are designed with a condensate pump that helps drain the collected water. If the pump is malfunctioning or broken, it can cause water leakage. In such cases, it is essential to replace the pump or just fix it. But without professional training, you may not separate the pump and fix it. That’s why you should call a technician who can safely take out the pump from the machine and fix it.

The Unit Isn’t Installed Properly

Most often it happens when a person installs the AC without taking any professional’s help and ends up making an issue without even knowing it. If the AC unit is not installed correctly, it can leak water from the internal components.

The same thing can happen if the unit is not leveled properly. The unit should be placed on a flat and level surface to ensure proper drainage. If you assume there’s a problem like that, you should call a professional so that he can figure out what’s wrong with the installation process.

Issues in Any Internal Component

Finally, there can be different faulty internal components that can cause water leakage from the movable AC unit. There can be a problem in the condensate pump that fails to function properly, the refrigerant with a faulty system, or a defective drain pan.

In such cases, you shouldn’t wait any longer and contact the manufacturer or a professional technician for repair or replacement of the faulty parts. You might fail to figure out exactly what’s bothering the machine and that’s why we are suggesting calling a professional.

Hopefully, you have got it why we suggest you call a technician who can fix these issues. It is very tough for a person with no prior technical knowledge to figure out these issues. That’s why it is better to ask a technician for help. You can also take it to the repair store to save you more money.

Wrapping Up

If you check all the reasons why your portable AC is leaking water you must know what to do to get rid of those issues. Now, the only complication is to unearth the exact issue. However, if it is difficult for you to find it out, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek help from a professional. Also, we suggest you call them if you have no prior experience with machines like portable AC. Best of luck.

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