Wall unit leak after servicing traced to drain tray not reseated
Aircon case in Bedok North, Singapore: water leakage traced to drain tray was not seated flush against the evaporator housing after reassembly, allowing condensate to spill before reaching the drain outlet after targeted diagnosis checks.
Case details
What client reported
The living room aircon started dripping from the bottom right after another company did a general service. It was completely dry before they came. The client was worried the cleaning had cracked the evaporator coil and that it would need an expensive replacement.
What we found
A drip that starts right after servicing points to reassembly rather than damage. We checked the drain tray position before looking at the coil or drain pipe.
- Water was dripping from the front bottom edge of the indoor unit, not from the drain pipe
- Drain tray was sitting slightly tilted and not flush against the evaporator housing
- A visible gap between the tray edge and the housing allowed condensate to spill forward before reaching the drain outlet
- After reseating the tray flush and running a water test, all water flowed through the drain outlet with no dripping
The drain tray had been removed during the general service for cleaning access and was not reseated flush against the evaporator housing when reassembled. The gap allowed condensate to drip past the tray edge instead of collecting and draining through the outlet. The coil was undamaged.
What we did
GOOD NEWS — the evaporator coil was not cracked and no parts were damaged during the previous service. The drain tray simply was not seated back properly. Reseating the tray stopped the drip immediately. A water flow test confirmed that all condensate was draining correctly.
The drip stopped immediately after the drain tray was reseated flush. The unit ran through a full cooling cycle with no water escaping the drain path. No parts were replaced and no coil work was needed.
Timeline
Day 1
Unit started dripping from bottom edge after general service by another company
Day 1
Checked drain tray alignment and seating before investigating the drain pipe or coil condition
Day 1
Drain tray reseated flush — water test confirmed no drip
What we learned
Post-service leaks — why the drain tray is the first check.
- During a general service, the drain tray is removed to access the evaporator coil for cleaning. If it is not placed back flush against the housing, a gap forms where condensate drips past the tray instead of flowing to the drain outlet.
- A leak that starts immediately after servicing — on a unit that was dry before — almost always points to something that was moved during the service. The drain tray is the most commonly displaced component.
- Reseating the tray and running a water test confirms the fix. No parts, no damage investigation, and no coil inspection are needed if the tray alignment resolves the drip.
Best next step
If your unit is behaving similarly, start with the service path that fits this case before approving broader scope.
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