AC dripping, drains and condensate pumps: identifying the issue
The location of the water matters. Indoor dripping is different from water beneath an outdoor unit during some heating cycles.
Protect the area first
Switch the unit off if water could reach electrics or cause damage. Do not insert wire or chemicals into the drain or dismantle the tray. Photograph where the water appears and explain whether it starts immediately or after the unit has been running.
Describe the known drainage route
Mention whether you know where the pipe ends and whether a pump is fitted. Not every system drains by gravity. A stopped pump, poor drainage and melting ice can have similar visible results; seeing water is not enough to choose a repair.
What to confirm after work
Ask that the agreed work includes checking drainage under the relevant operating conditions. For water from the outdoor unit, describe the mode and whether it affects a walkway or another property. A solution needs to account for where water goes, rather than simply moving the drip somewhere else where it creates a problem.
Choose the next step
Use the symptom page to understand the likely causes. If the cause is still unclear, book a diagnosis before approving a repair.