What happens when water doesn't drain properly from an ac unit?

Question

I know water may spit into the room but what else can happen?

Answer 1

It can rust out the frame of the ac unit.

Answer 2

When the water starts leaking out of the full drip pan, it can cause mold and wood rot. It also probably starts to smell kind of funky.

Answer 3

I am assuming this is a window unit.

Some units do allow part of the fan to pick up some of the water as part of the design for more efficient cooling.

You would have to search your unit make and model to see if that is a feature. If it is, your unit is probaly working just fine as the fan displaces the water and you probably wont see much drainage.

If your unit wasn't made for this. Probably the most likely adverse effects will be corrosion (rust). You may also cause an electrical short if the water gets where it isn't suppose to.

There a couple things to look at to determine if there is a quick fix to your issue.

1. Check and see if you unit is level. The drain is usually outside. If the unit is tilted towards the inside it will not drain.

2. The hole to drain from is clogged. Dust and water make can create a "sludge" that will clog the drain hole or tube if you have one. I use a air compressor to blow out the hole and/or tube. I fit starts drain the water you are all set.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

if you let it go too long, the water on the floor will find a wall and wick up into the drywall and ruin the wall facing.  To correct ( i know, because i have this problem)  Take a large hypodermic needle (found in the glue section of your local hardware store) and take the face off the unit (while it is off) and use the needle several times to suck the water in the base tray out.  You will only need to do this a couple of times a year.  

Of course, the best method would be to find what is clogging proper drain and releasing that, but if you are like me you will be unsuccessful in this endeavor.

Answer 5

it can also cause mold and other disfunctions of the ac unit