Written and reviewed by our licensed plumbers in Dubai. Published July 24, 2025, updated 2026-11-05.
If your ceiling leaks only when the AC runs, the cause is almost always the condensate drain: algae and dust block the drain line or pan, the line is disconnected, or it lacks proper fall. Water then overflows into the ceiling void. Clearing and flushing the line, cleaning the drain pan and fixing joints stops it.
How AC condensate works
Split and ducted AC units remove humidity from the air, producing water that drains through a small pipe to a floor trap, a stack or outside. In Dubai's humid months, a unit can produce many litres a day.
Why it leaks
- Algae and dust block the line or the drain pan.
- The line has come loose at a joint in the ceiling.
- The pipe sags and holds water.
- The trap at the drain end has dried out or blocked.
Quick checks
Switch off the AC. Look at the indoor unit for drips or a full drain pan. Check where the condensate line ends; if no water comes out while the AC runs, it is blocked.
The fix
We clear the line with pressure flushing, clean and treat the pan, reconnect or replace loose sections and correct the fall. Book ceiling leak detection or call for a ceiling leak emergency.
Dubai homeowner checklist
- Mark the stain edge with pencil and check after 24 hours.
- Switch off lights and circuits near any active drip.
- Note when the drip happens: after showers upstairs, with the AC, or after rain.
- Inform building management in towers so the unit above can be checked.
How PlumberDubaiPro can help
Our technicians handle this every week across Dubai, from apartments in Marina and JLT to villas in Mirdif, Arabian Ranches and Al Barsha. You get a fixed quote before work starts, photos of what we find, and a written workmanship warranty.
- Ceiling Leak Detection: Ceiling leaks traced to pipes, AC drains or the unit above. From AED 250.
- Ceiling Water Leak Emergency: Ceiling leaks traced to the real source: pipes, AC drains, bathrooms above or the roof. From AED 250.
- Drain Cleaning Dubai: CCTV inspection, hydro jetting and blockage removal. Grease, hair, scale and debris cleared. From AED 150.
Not sure which service you need? Send a photo on WhatsApp and a technician will tell you, free of charge, what is likely wrong and what it should cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is an AC leak a plumbing or AC job?
Both teams can help; we handle the drain lines and ceiling leak tracing.
How often should AC drains be cleaned?
Usually with each AC service, at least twice a year.
Can AC leaks cause mould?
Yes, in ceiling voids and on gypsum.
Call or WhatsApp +971 56 864 8994. Related services: Ceiling Leak Detection, Ceiling Water Leak Emergency, Drain Cleaning Dubai.