If you’ve ever found your air conditioning drain pan overflowing, you may be wondering what went wrong. After all, the drain pan’s job is to collect excess water and prevent it from causing damage to your AC unit or home. So, what causes an overflowing AC drain pan?

Tilted Pan

If the drain pan is tilted, it can cause water to collect in one corner and eventually overflow. To prevent this, make sure the drain pan is level when your AC unit is installed. If you suspect your pan is tilted, a visit from an HVAC professional can get it balanced out properly.

Excessive Flow

If too much water is flowing into the drain pan, it can cause it to overflow. This usually happens when the amount of water being collected exceeds the pan and drain’s capacity for draining away water. In many cases, excessive flow can be caused by low refrigerant levels allowing ice to build up on the coils that then melts and causes the overflow.

Broken Condensate Pump

If the condensate pump stops working, water will back up into the drain pan and cause it to overflow. This is a serious problem that should be fixed immediately by a qualified HVAC technician.

Clogged Drain Line

If the drain line becomes clogged, water will back up into the drain pan and cause it to overflow. This can be caused by dirt, dust, mold, debris or even insects. If you suspect a clogged drain line, have it checked by a qualified Carolina Cool HVAC technician ASAP.

While an overflowing AC drain pan is certainly a nuisance, it’s usually not a serious problem if it’s caught early enough. However, if you suspect that your drain pan is overflowing, be sure to call a qualified Carolina Cool HVAC technician for help. If left unchecked, these problems could lead to more serious damage to your AC unit or home.