They Thought It Was a Roof Leak — The AC Was Flooding the Ceiling

A yellow stain appeared on the upstairs ceiling—but it hadn’t rained in twelve days. By the next afternoon, water was dripping beside the hallway light. The roof wasn’t leaking. A clogged air-conditioner condensate drain was allowing water to collect beneath the attic air handler and overflow toward the finished ceiling below. In this video, Mack Ramsey explains: • Why air conditioners produce condensation • How a clogged condensate line causes water damage • The warning drain homeowners often misunderstand • What an auxiliary drain pan is designed to do • How a condensate float switch may save your ceiling • Why an AC that suddenly shuts down may be protecting the house • Other problems that can create water around an air handler • What homeowners can inspect safely • When to stop and call an HVAC professional Do not bypass a condensate float switch just to make the air conditioner run again. Standing water, repeated shutdowns, ice, damaged wiring, burning odors or water near electrical components require professional diagnosis. Where is your indoor AC equipment—attic, closet, garage, basement or crawlspace? Do you know whether it has an overflow switch? Tell us in the comments. This video is for general homeowner education. HVAC systems contain electrical, mechanical and refrigerant components. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and contact a qualified professional when a condition is unsafe or outside your experience. #AirConditioning #WaterDamage #HomeMaintenance