My Dubai apartment AC is leaking water — what causes it and how much does it cost to fix?

An AC leaking water inside a Dubai apartment is very common and in the vast majority of cases is caused by a blocked condensate drain line — not a refrigerant or mechanical fault. Fixing it typically costs AED 100–AED 250 for an AC technician to clear the blockage and flush the drain.

Here's what happens: your split AC removes humidity from the air as it cools it, producing condensate water that drains away through a small pipe. In Dubai's extremely humid summer months, the volume of condensate is significant. If this drain line becomes blocked with algae, dust, or debris (which happens regularly in Dubai given the amount of dust in the air), the water has nowhere to go and overflows from the drip tray inside the unit.

Other causes to be aware of: a frozen evaporator coil (caused by a dirty filter, low refrigerant, or poor airflow) that then melts and overflows; a cracked or misaligned drip tray; or a drain pipe that was incorrectly installed without a proper gradient.

For a blocked drain, an AC technician will blow through the drain line with compressed air or a wet/dry vacuum to clear the blockage and pour a dilute bleach solution through it to kill algae. This is a quick job — 30–45 minutes on site. To prevent recurrence, clean your AC filters monthly (rinse under a tap and allow to dry fully) and have your AC serviced including drain flush once a year before summer — ideally in March or April before the humidity peaks.