AC Leaking Water or Smelling Musty

Where the water usually comes from

• An algae plug in the condensate line
• A rusted or cracked drain pan under the coil
• A condensate pump with a stuck float or a dead motor
• Ice on the coil melting faster than the drain can take it
• Ducts or a cold air handler in the attic sweating in damp air
• On mini-splits, a head mounted slightly off level

The musty smell problem

A musty or dirty-sock smell when the AC starts comes from mold or bacteria growing on a damp coil, in the drain pan or inside duct lining. Shore humidity makes it worse. Cleaning the coil and pan, treating the drain and fixing the airflow usually clears it up. If the smell comes from a wet basement rather than the vents, a dehumidifier helps more than any AC repair.

Attic systems are worth a closer look. Uninsulated or leaky ducts in a hot attic can sweat so much that water drips through the ceiling and leaves a stain that looks like a roof leak.

Questions about AC Leaking Water in Middletown

Should I keep running the AC if it is leaking?

Turn it off if water is reaching a ceiling or floor. A small drip into a pan can wait for a visit, but keep an eye on it.

Will a UV light stop the smell?

Some homeowners like them for coil growth. They help most after a good cleaning, not in place of one.