Water leaking from outdoor unit base or around piping connections

Safety first: Turn off power before reaching under or around the outdoor unit.

Steps to check:

• 1. Identify water source: Some water dripping from the outdoor unit in cooling or defrost is normal. Excessive pooling may indicate a blockage.
• 2. Clear base pan drains: Use a stiff plastic rod or wire to gently clear drain holes in the outdoor unit base pan.
• 3. Check indoor drain connection: Ensure the condensate drain from the indoor unit is properly connected and not leaking at the outdoor wall penetration.

When to call a technician: If water is leaking from refrigerant pipe insulation or from inside the outdoor unit cabinet, a technician should inspect for internal drain routing issues or a cracked base pan.