If your AC has been running nearly nonstop the last couple of days, you’re not imagining it. With a Heat Advisory in effect for Krugerville and the surrounding area through tomorrow evening and heat index values climbing to 106°, your system is working about as hard as it ever will this year. And that’s exactly when condensation drain problems show up — quietly, usually in a closet or attic you don’t check every day.
Here’s the good news: a five-minute check right now can catch a leak before it turns into a mold problem. Let’s walk through it.
Why heat advisories are prime time for AC leaks
When your AC runs longer and harder, it pulls more moisture out of the air — that’s just how it works. All that condensation has to go somewhere, and normally it drains out through a small line to the outside. But a few days of heavy runtime is enough to expose a weak spot: a clogged drain line, a cracked pan, a slow leak that never mattered much until the system doubled its workload.
That’s why AC drain pan overflow tends to spike right alongside a heat advisory. It’s not bad luck — it’s just physics catching up with an AC system that’s already stretched thin.
Your 5-minute heat advisory checklist
- Check the indoor unit closet or utility space. Look at the floor around the air handler. Any dampness, discoloration, or a musty smell means water has already found its way out.
- Look at the drain pan (secondary pan) under the unit. Standing water here means the primary drain line is clogged and the backup is catching the overflow — for now.
- Find the condensate drain line outside. It’s usually a white PVC pipe near your outdoor unit. Water should be dripping steadily. If it’s bone dry while your AC is clearly running, that’s often a sign the water is backing up and going somewhere else instead.
- Check the ceiling below any attic-mounted AC unit. A small brown stain or soft spot in the drywall is often the first visible sign of a leak that’s been going on longer than you’d think.
- Check the float switch, if your system has one. If your AC has shut itself off and won’t turn back on, that switch may have tripped because the pan is full — it’s actually doing its job to protect your home.
What to do if you find water
If you find standing water or a damp spot, don’t just wipe it up and move on. Drywall, insulation, and subfloor hold moisture far longer than they show it, and that hidden dampness is exactly where mold gets its start — often within 24 to 48 hours in this heat and humidity. “It looks dry” and “it is dry” are two very different things.
A small amount of surface water you caught early might be something you can dry out yourself with fans and a dehumidifier running for a day or two, keeping a close eye on it. But if the water has been sitting for a while, if it’s reached drywall or flooring, or if you’re smelling that musty odor, that’s worth a second set of eyes before it becomes a bigger, more expensive problem.
When to call for an inspection
I’d rather you call and have it turn out to be nothing than wait and have it turn into something. If you’re seeing any of the following, it’s time for an AC leak inspection:
- Water damage restoration Krugerville homeowners have needed before with recurring drips or stains
- A ceiling stain that’s growing or reappearing
- A musty smell that won’t go away
- Standing water anywhere near the unit
Josh personally handles these inspections — no call center, no stranger showing up in a branded truck you’ve never heard of. Just one accountable local guy who’ll tell you honestly what he sees, what it means, and what it’ll take to fix it. If it’s a simple fix, he’ll say so. That honesty is the whole point.
If you’re in Krugerville, Pilot Point, or anywhere in North Texas and want a set of trained eyes on it before this heat advisory does any more damage, call or text Josh directly. Texting works great if you’re mid-workday and can’t talk. He’s typically on-site within the hour for anything urgent, and if he’s out on another job, he’ll call back with a real ETA — you won’t be left guessing.
And if today isn’t an emergency day but you want to be ready in case one ever comes — an AC leak, a burst pipe, a bad storm — grab our free guide, The First 24 Hours After Water Damage. It walks through exactly what to do first, and it’s the kind of thing that’s a lot more useful before you need it than after.
Stay cool out there.
-Ally