An air conditioner pulls water out of humid air all summer, and that water is meant to leave through a drain. When the drain clogs or the pan overflows, the water drips into the ceiling, the closet and the wall below. The first sign is usually a ceiling stain or a damp smell.
Where the overflow water goes
- Ceiling drywall below the unit
- Attic or closet insulation
- Wall cavities beside the air handler
- Flooring under the stain
- Light fixtures and fans in the wet ceiling
Ceiling stain growing under the air conditioner? The crew can dry it at any hour.
Ask about ceiling dripsHeat and humidity keep the unit running
With mean daily highs of 91.3 degrees in July and 91.4 in August, the system runs through most of the day, and a blocked drain keeps feeding water. Wet insulation holds water against the drywall, so it is removed and replaced instead of dried.
The unit needs a technician too
An HVAC technician clears the drain and repairs the unit. The drying team handles ceiling leak water damage, the insulation and the wet wall, and sets structural drying equipment where readings stay high.
A seasonal check of the drain pan is a simple habit that catches many overflows early. More local service details are on the Zephyrhills water damage page.
AC Condensate and Air Handler Leaks in short
Water damage mitigation after an air conditioner condensate drain clogs or an air handler pan overflows: ceiling and wall drying, insulation removal, attic and closet checks and moisture readings.