If a pipe fitting is not secured, it can disconnect and cause condensation to leak from your AC unit and onto the ceiling, causing water spots to form on the ceiling below. Or, a larger leak can cause the ceiling to collapse.
One of the most frequent calls is about water leaking through the ceiling from a Air Conditioner. Most of the time (assuming the leak is coming from inside the home) the problem is a clogged condensate drain line.
If you already have water leaking from your ceiling, call a professional air conditioning repair technician immediately to flush out your condensate drain line or replace the drain pan. Then, make sure it does not happen again.
Here are the most common reasons for water leaks from ceilings: Roof Leaks: Seeping through cracked tiles or loose flashing, roof leaks are the primary causes of water trickling down your ceilings. Piping Issues: Aging pipes, corrosion, or bad installations can lead to plumbing leaks.
How Much Water Leaking From My Air Conditioner Is Too Much? Small amounts of condensation near your AC's drain pipe is normal and to be expected. When your air conditioner works hard during extremely hot and humid days, you can expect to see more water leaking than average.
When the summer season is in full swing and humidity is high, it's normal for your air conditioner to drain anywhere between 5 and 20 gallons of water each day.
To unclog an AC drain line, turn off the power to the unit. Locate the drain line and use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. Flush the line with water using a garden hose or cup of water. Check and clean the drain pan under the indoor unit.
Bring a flashlight and look for wet spots, discoloration, or mold. Keep in mind that water can travel along pipes or beams, so the leak's origin might not be directly above the ceiling stain. Plumbing leaks often originate from fixtures in rooms located above the stained ceiling area.
Home insurance will cover water damage if the ceiling leak is sudden and accidental, but it will not cover every cause, as listed above. Roof damage due to poor maintenance and neglect and aging roofs needing replacement are the most common reasons that home insurance does not cover ceiling leaks.
Fixing an exposed pipe in a crawl space or basement is $150 while repairing a leaky pipe inside a wall starts at $150 and can go up to $350 or more. A pipe in the wall behind a kitchen cabinet will cost $500; if the faulty pipe is in a ceiling, it can cost $700 to $2,500.
If your AC is leaking water, something is halting its normal cooling cycle. There are signs you can watch for. Notice a puddle around your basement or closet unit, or smell something musty? The water from a leaking attic unit can flood your ceiling and drip down your walls while you're out.
A leak from your air conditioner can cause significant damage to the system. Whether there's more moisture on or near your AC than usual or water is ponding near the drain line, consider it an emergency. The damage from water can quickly escalate and spread to nearby equipment, materials, and furnishings.
Operating an air conditioning system with a refrigerant leak could cause considerable damage to the system. The compressor, a key component of your AC, relies on refrigerant to function and cool.
When water is leaking from the ceiling, immediate action is required to prevent further damage. Act fast by shutting off the water supply, catch or soak up excess water, and contact a water damage restoration company to remediate the ceiling water damage.
Responsibility for Repairs
Determining who is responsible for repairing a ceiling leak can be a point of contention between tenants and landlords. In most cases, the responsibility falls on the landlord, as they are typically responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the building.
This is especially true if the stain is in close proximity to a sink, toilet or other plumbing fixture. If you think this might be the case, it's important to shut off the water to your home immediately and call a plumber.
While a leaking ceiling is certainly an emergency, there are temporary measures you can take to minimize damage before professional help arrives. Pittsburgh homeowners facing ceiling leaks can start by moving furniture and valuables away from the affected area to prevent water damage.
If there's a leak in the ceiling above your bathroom, living room, kitchen, or dining room, you should call a professional plumber. A plumber will have the equipment and expertise to fix any problem, big or small, with minimal disruption to the home or business. On top of that, their work is usually guaranteed.
In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a ceiling to dry out completely. To speed up the drying process, use dehumidifiers, fans, and open windows to improve ventilation.
Flush Condensate Drain Line
The repair cost to have the drain line flushed runs between $75 to $250.
You'll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends. Near your indoor unit, you'll find a vertical PVC pipe with a cap on it, which acts as the access point for the condensate drain.