Blocked condensate drain
Dust, debris and slime build up in the outlet and pipe until the drain pan overflows.
AC leak detection · Dubai
Your AC is leaking. We find exactly where.
Water from an air conditioner rarely appears where the fault is. It runs along drain lines, soaks through gypsum and surfaces a metre or two away. We trace it back to the source with thermal imaging, moisture mapping and drain testing, so it gets fixed once and stays fixed.
- 9,000+
- leaks located
- AED 1,000
- fixed visit fee
- Same day
- across Dubai
- 24/7
- emergency line
The problem
The drip you see is the end of the story, not the start.
Every air conditioner pulls water out of the air. In a Dubai summer, one indoor unit can collect tens of litres a day, and all of it has to travel from the coil, into a drain pan, through a trap and down a drain line hidden above your ceiling.
A crack, a blockage or a badly sloped pipe anywhere on that route sends the water into the ceiling void instead. It spreads along the gypsum, follows pipes and beams, and shows up as a stain in the next room or a drip from a light fitting.
That is why AC leaks are so often "fixed" twice. The technician clears what they can see; the real fault stays hidden. We locate the source first, then tell you what needs repairing.
Signs to look for
How an AC leak usually shows itself
If two or more of these sound familiar, the leak has likely been running for a while.
- 01
Water dripping from the vent or grille
Worst in the afternoon, when the unit works hardest and produces the most condensate.
- 02
A stain that grows after hot, humid days
Yellow or brown rings near the AC access panel, along a corridor or around downlights.
- 03
Gypsum that sags, softens or cracks
A sign the board has been soaking for some time. Do not stand directly underneath it.
- 04
A musty or sour smell when the AC starts
Standing water in the drain pan and wet insulation grow mould that is blown into the room.
- 05
Gurgling or a drain smell at the vent
Usually a missing or dry trap, which also stops the drain from emptying properly.
- 06
Your downstairs neighbour reports a leak
AC drains are one of the first things building management checks when water reaches the unit below.
Where the water comes from
Six AC leak sources we trace every week
Each one needs a different repair, which is why finding the right one matters.
Cracked or rusted drain pan
Water escapes straight through the pan, so the drip sits directly under the unit.
Missing or dry trap
The drain air-locks and backs up, often with a sewer smell at the vent.
Flat or back-falling drain line
Water sits in the pipe instead of flowing away, then leaks from a joint further along.
Sweating chilled-water pipes
Gaps in pipe and valve insulation drip condensation along the whole pipe route.
Loose or unsealed joints
A drain joint that was never glued, or has pulled apart, leaks at one fixed point.
Our method
Four checks. One clear answer.
Nothing is cut open to search. We only point to an opening once the source is confirmed.
1
Thermal imaging
Wet gypsum and insulation read cooler than dry areas, so we can see where the water has travelled above the ceiling.
2
Moisture mapping
Pin and pinless meter readings confirm what is wet, how wet, and where the damage stops.
3
Drain and trap test
We run water through the drain pan and line to find blockages, slow falls and leaking joints.
4
Borescope camera
A small camera through the access panel shows the pan, trap and joints without removing ceiling boards.
Property types
Apartments and villas leak differently
We check the parts that fail most on each system.
Apartments
Usually fan coil units on district cooling
- Fan coil unit drain pan and outlet
- Drain route to the riser or stack
- Chilled-water pipe and valve insulation
- Ceiling void around the access panel
- Whether the water is yours or from the unit above
Villas & townhouses
Usually ducted split systems
- Indoor unit pan, secondary pan and float switch
- Condensate line slope and discharge point
- Refrigerant pipe insulation through ceilings
- Sweating supply ducts and diffusers
- Damp in bedrooms, wardrobes and cornices
Pricing
One fixed price per visit.
You know the cost before we arrive. No hourly charges, no surprise add-ons for equipment.
AED1,000+ 5% VAT · per visit
- Full AC leak survey of the affected area
- Thermal imaging, moisture mapping and drain test
- Source marked on site and explained to you
- Written report with images and repair advice
How it works
From your call to the answer, usually in one visit
- 01
Send us a photo
WhatsApp a picture of the stain or drip. We confirm the fee and book a time, often the same day.
- 02
Keep the AC running
Leave the affected unit on for an hour before we arrive, so the leak is active when we test.
- 03
We locate the source
Our technician scans, tests and confirms the fault, then marks and shows it to you on site.
- 04
You get the report
Images, readings, the cause and what needs fixing. Use it with your landlord, building or AC contractor.
Before we arrive
What to do if your AC is leaking right now
Switch the unit off if water is reaching lights, sockets or the DB board, and turn off the circuit for that area.
Keep clear of a sagging ceiling. Wet gypsum can drop without warning. Move people and furniture out from underneath.
Catch the water and protect floors. A bucket and towels will limit damage to parquet, carpets and furniture.
Take photos of the stain and drip, with the time. They help us and your landlord or building management.
Questions
AC leak questions we hear most
Why is my AC leaking water inside the house?
Most indoor AC leaks come from a blocked condensate drain, an overflowing or cracked drain pan, a missing trap, a drain line without enough slope, or chilled-water pipes sweating through damaged insulation. The repair is different for each, so the source needs to be confirmed first.
Is it safe to keep using a leaking AC?
If water is near lights, sockets or electrical fittings, switch the unit and that circuit off. If the drip is small and away from electrics, you can usually run it with a bucket underneath until we visit, but the longer it runs, the more the ceiling absorbs.
Will you need to break my ceiling?
No cutting is done to search for the leak. We use thermal imaging, moisture readings, a drain test and a camera through the access panel. If a repair later needs access, we show you exactly where, so any opening is small and in the right place.
How much does AC leak detection cost?
A fixed AED 1,000 plus 5% VAT per visit, agreed before we arrive. That covers the survey, testing and your written report.
Can you tell if the leak is from my AC or the flat above?
Yes. Moisture mapping and thermal images show where the water enters your ceiling and how it travels. That tells you whether the source is your unit, a pipe in the slab or the property above.
Why does my AC leak more in summer?
Humidity in Dubai peaks in the summer months, so the AC removes far more water from the air. A drain that copes in winter can overflow once the volume rises.
Do you also fix the leak?
We locate and report the leak, then advise on the repair. If you would like us to arrange it, ask about our water leak repair service.
Related
If the water isn't from the AC
Our survey will tell you. These services cover the other common sources.
Water leaking from ceilingRoof, bathroom, pipe and upstairs leaks
Thermal leak detectionHow thermal imaging finds hidden water
Bathroom leak detectionShowers, wastes and wet-area waterproofing
Emergency leak detectionActive leaks, day or night
We cover every Dubai community, including Dubai Marina, JVC, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Damac Hills, Arabian Ranches and Palm Jumeirah. See all water leak detection services in Dubai.
Think your AC is leaking? Let's find it.
Fixed AED 1,000 visit, same-day across Dubai, and a written report you can act on.