The most common reason for water coming from an air conditioner's indoor unit is that the condensation produced during cooling cannot be carried away. The main causes are a condensate drain hose that is blocked, kinked or laid at the wrong angle, the coil icing up because of a dirty filter, and installation errors. When you notice a water leak, the right steps are to switch the unit off and unplug it, protect electrical items and the floor, and then let a technician know.
Why Does an Air Conditioner Produce Water in the First Place?
In cooling mode, the coil (evaporator) in the indoor unit is much colder than the air in the room. As warm, humid air passes over this surface, the moisture in it condenses, collects as droplets in the condensate drain tray and flows outside through the condensate drain hose. So it is normal for an air conditioner to produce water; the problem is when this water does not go where it should and drips from the indoor unit into the room.
In coastal areas such as Didim and Kuşadası, humidity is high in the summer months, so the unit produces more condensation. In that case, even a small problem in the condensate drain line can quickly turn into dripping.
A Blocked Condensate Drain: The Most Common Cause
Over time, the condensate drain tray and hose can fill up with dust, fine dirt that gets past the filter, mould and biological residue. When the flow slows down, water collects in the tray, overflows and starts dripping from the bottom of the indoor unit or the edge of the front cover. Standing water in the tray is also a source of bad smells; we cover this separately in our article on bad smells from an air conditioner.
A Kinked or Crushed Hose
If the condensate drain hose is crushed behind furniture, has a kink in it or its end is sitting in a puddle, the flow slows down. It is also common for the end of the hose to be blocked by insects, leaves or mud.
Checking the End of the Hose Safely
If the outer end of the hose is somewhere you can reach safely, such as a balcony close to the ground, you can check that the end is clear and that water is flowing. Never touch lines that are high up or on an exterior wall. Cleaning the condensate drain tray in the indoor unit requires the unit's casing to be opened, so it is a job for a technician.
Dirty Filters and Icing
When the filters fill with dust, less air passes over the coil, the coil becomes too cold and a layer of ice forms on it. When the ice melts, more water is produced than the tray can handle at once and it overflows; sometimes the melting water also drips outside the tray.
Icing can have other causes too: low refrigerant, fan motor problems or running the unit for long periods at a very low temperature setting. Low refrigerant only happens because of a leak and needs to be investigated separately; you can find the details in our article does air conditioner gas need recharging every year?
You Can Clean the Filter Yourself
After switching the unit off and unplugging it, you can lift the front cover, take out the filters, wash them in lukewarm water, leave them to dry completely in the shade and then refit them. Doing this every few weeks during the months of heavy use helps with both the water problem and the unit's efficiency.
Installation-Related Problems
Some water leaks start from day one, or appear after the unit has been moved. This is usually down to the installation:
- The indoor unit not being level: If the unit is mounted tilting away from the drain outlet, water collects at the other end of the tray and overflows.
- The slope of the condensate drain hose: If there is not enough fall along the hose, or it rises at some point, water flows back.
- Loose connections: There may be a leak where the hose connects to the tray outlet or an extension piece.
- Missing insulation: If the copper pipes running through the wall are not properly insulated, the pipe surface sweats and water marks appear on the wall or behind the unit.
Installation-related problems are usually solved by re-levelling the unit or rearranging the condensate drain line. We explain what to look out for when removing and refitting a unit in our article on air conditioner installation, removal and refitting.
What to Do When You Notice a Water Leak
- Switch the air conditioner off with the remote control, then unplug it or turn off the relevant circuit breaker.
- Move sockets, extension leads and electronic items away from beneath the unit.
- Put a towel or bucket on the floor to protect the parquet and wall from damage.
- Check the filters; if they are dirty, wash and dry them.
- If there is ice, leave the unit off for a while so it can thaw.
- If the problem happens again, call a technician.
What you should not do matters too: do not take apart the indoor unit's casing or push wire or hard objects into the condensate drain line, do not spray chemicals inside the unit, and do not attempt work on the outdoor unit or on hose lines that are high up. Because dripping water can reach the electrical connections, carrying on running the unit while it is leaking is also risky.
What Is Done During a Service Visit?
At Evime Servis, with a water leak we first identify the source of the fault on site: the condensate drain tray and hose, whether the unit is level, the condition of the filter and coil, and, if necessary, operating pressures are checked. You are told what work is needed and what it will cost before we start. After work such as cleaning the condensate drain line, replacing the hose, levelling the unit or cleaning the coil, the unit is run to check that the water is draining properly. A written guarantee is given on parts and labour; when the job is done, the service report you sign on the phone is sent to your email as a PDF. For the scope of our services, see our private air conditioning service page.
If water is coming from your indoor unit, you can make a service request for your address in Didim, Söke, Kuşadası or Aydın city centre, or contact us on +90 256 503 48 80 (including WhatsApp). We reach most requests on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Is water dripping from an air conditioner dangerous?
It is risky, because the water can reach sockets beneath the unit or the unit's electrical connections. It is recommended that you switch the unit off, move electrical items away and let a technician know.
Is it normal for water to come from the outdoor unit?
Yes, condensation and defrost water form on the outdoor unit, especially in heating mode. Water dripping from the indoor unit into the room, however, is not normal and should be checked.
Will cleaning the filter stop the water leak?
If the problem is caused by icing due to a dirty filter, it usually helps. If there is a blocked condensate drain or an installation fault, filter cleaning alone will not be enough.
My air conditioner has just been installed – why is it leaking water?
Water leaks after a new installation are usually due to the unit not being level, the condensate drain hose not having enough slope, or a leak at a connection point. The unit and the condensate drain line need to be checked.
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Published: 25.10.2026 · Last updated: