This one needs a licensed pro
The source isn't clear: call an HVAC technician
Water on a ceiling, inside a wall, or only outdoors doesn't point clearly to the drain. Have a technician trace it.
Why this happens
Lennox, Carrier and Trane describe AC leaks starting at the indoor unit, its drain pan or its drain line. Water that shows up somewhere else could come from a drain line running through a wall or attic, a cracked pan above a ceiling, or something unrelated to the AC. Trane lists a cracked or corroded drain pan among the causes, and replacing a pan or line is a technician's job.
What to do right now
- Set the thermostat to Off so the AC stops producing water.
- Put a bucket or towels under any active drip.
- If water is on or near a light fixture or outlet, stay clear of it. Switch off that breaker only if you can reach the panel with dry hands while standing on a dry floor.
- Take photos of where the water appears and when, to show the technician.
What to tell the HVAC technician
- Exactly where the water shows up and whether it only happens when the AC runs.
- Where the indoor unit sits (attic, closet, basement or garage).
- Any stains, sagging drywall or mold smell.
- The brand and model from the indoor unit's data plate.
Build the full list: what to tell the HVAC technician.
Start this troubleshooter over
Vent, Valve & Volt is published by the team behind FourHome. Browse all FourHome replacement faucet and shower parts on the FourHome Amazon store.