Short answer: in Tampa, Angi lists A/C drain line cleaning at $75 to $250 (May 2026). If a part has failed, HomeGuide's national figures put a condensate pump at $100 to $450 and a primary drain pan at $600 to $1,200. The water damage is a separate bill: Angi's Tampa ceiling repair average is $576, with many homeowners paying $280 to $984.
These are typical ranges, not quotes. What moves the price most is whether the problem is a simple clog or a failed part, and how long water ran before anyone noticed.
How much does it cost to unclog an AC drain line?
| Job | Typical cost | Scope | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/C drain line cleaning | $75–$250 | Tampa (Angi, May 2026) | Some of it: only what your owner's manual covers |
| A/C drain line cleaning | $75–$200 | National (Angi, Aug. 2026) | Same |
| Drain line flush to unclog the condensate line | $75–$250 | National (HomeGuide, 2025) | Same |
| A/C repair (Angi's examples: drain line clog to compressor failure) | $455–$2,020 | Tampa (Angi, May 2026) | No: licensed A/C contractor |
Angi's drain line guide says a pro charges $75 to $200, and that you can clean the line yourself "for under $5" with household supplies. We found no official guidance on how homeowners should flush a drain line, so follow your equipment maker's manual. Florida's contractor law lists installing condensate drains in the scope of licensed A/C and mechanical contractors (s. 489.105(3), Fla. Stat.).
Condensate pump and drain pan replacement cost
| Part | Typical cost | Scope | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/C condensate pump replacement | $100–$450 | National (HomeGuide, 2025) | No: licensed A/C contractor |
| Primary drain pan replacement | $600–$1,200 | National (HomeGuide, 2025) | No |
| Secondary drain pan replacement | $250–$600 | National (HomeGuide, 2025) | No |
| Service call to diagnose | $75–$200, often applied to the repair | National (HomeGuide, 2025) | No |
HomeGuide's own table lists $200 to $600 for drain pan replacement, lower than its text; we show the text's primary and secondary split. We found no Florida figure for these parts, and no reliable published price for an overflow (float) switch.
Water damage from an AC leak: ceiling, walls and mold
| Repair | Typical cost | Scope | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling repair | $280–$984, average $576 | Tampa (Angi, Mar. 2026) | Some of it: small patches; a sagging or wet ceiling is a pro job |
| Water-damaged walls | $610–$1,570 | Tampa (Angi, Jul. 2026) | Some of it: see our drywall guide |
| Water damage restoration | $1,962–$7,250, average $4,606 | Tampa (Angi, Aug. 2026) | Some of it: drying out |
| Mold remediation | $1,347–$3,778, average $2,548 | Tampa (Angi, Oct. 2025) | Some of it: patches under about 10 sq ft (EPA) |
| Mold remediation in HVAC systems | $3,225–$10,750 | Tampa (Angi, Oct. 2025) | No |
For more detail, see our price guides for drywall repair, water damage repair and mold remediation.
AC tune-up and dehumidifier costs
| Item | Typical cost | Scope | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/C tune-up | $70–$200 | Tampa (Angi, May 2026) | No: but changing the filter is (ENERGY STAR) |
| A/C coil cleaning | $101–$404, average about $252 | Tampa (Angi, Apr. 2026) | No |
| Portable dehumidifier | $250–$450 | National (HomeGuide, Feb. 2026) | Yes: no installation needed |
| Whole-house dehumidifier, installed | $1,500–$3,500 | National (HomeGuide, Feb. 2026) | No: installed in the ductwork by a licensed A/C contractor |
HomeGuide says running a dehumidifier adds $10 to $30 a month to the energy bill. The Florida Department of Health says that if a home with central air needs a dehumidifier to get below 60% humidity, the A/C should be examined for problems.
What drives the price
- Clog or failed part: a cleaning costs far less than a new pump or pan.
- Where the air handler is: in an attic, an overflow lands on the ceiling below.
- How long it leaked: the Florida Department of Health says common molds can take hold when water stands for 24 hours.
- Permits: replacing an A/C system needs a permit in Pinellas County. The county's FY27 adopted budget lists $140 for an A/C equal changeout permit with no gas, oil or electrical work, $240 with electrical and $340 with electrical and ducts (where Pinellas County is the building department, including unincorporated areas like Palm Harbor). Other cities set their own fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix an AC leaking water?
For a clogged drain line, Angi's Tampa page lists $75 to $250. A failed condensate pump or drain pan costs more ($100 to $450 and $600 to $1,200 nationally, HomeGuide), and ceiling repair in Tampa averages $576 (Angi).
How much does it cost to unclog an AC drain line?
Angi lists $75 to $250 for drain line cleaning in Tampa and $75 to $200 nationally. HomeGuide lists $75 to $250 for a drain line flush.
How often should you clean an AC drain line in Florida?
We found no Florida rule that sets a schedule. ENERGY STAR lists checking the condensate drain as part of a contractor check-up, and the EPA says normal maintenance includes regular cleaning of drain pans.
Does an AC leak cause mold?
It can. The Florida Department of Health lists air conditioner drain pan overflow among indoor moisture sources, and says common molds can take hold when water stands for 24 hours.
Sources
- Angi: HVAC repair cost in Tampa (updated May 5, 2026)
- Angi: HVAC repair cost (national, updated Aug. 4, 2026)
- Angi: How to clean AC drain lines (updated Jul. 20, 2026)
- HomeGuide: AC repair cost (Aug. 22, 2025)
- Angi: AC coil cleaning cost in Tampa (Apr. 7, 2026)
- Angi: Ceiling repair cost in Tampa (updated Mar. 19, 2026)
- Angi: Drywall repair cost in Tampa (Jul. 6, 2026)
- Angi: Water damage repair cost in Tampa (Aug. 9, 2026)
- Angi: Mold remediation cost in Tampa (updated Oct. 15, 2025)
- HomeGuide: Whole-house dehumidifier cost (Feb. 6, 2026)
- ENERGY STAR: Maintenance checklist
- U.S. EPA: Should you have the air ducts in your home cleaned?
- Florida Department of Health: Mold
- Pinellas County: FY27 Adopted Budget Book, Building and Development Review Services fee schedule (PDF)
- Pinellas County: Express permits
- Florida Statutes s. 489.105 (2026)
These ranges come from the published sources listed above (Tampa Bay, Florida or national, as marked). They aren't PHRS prices or quotes. These are published price ranges, not our quotes. A/C work is done by licensed A/C or mechanical contractors; we repair the ceilings, drywall and floors the water damaged.
General information, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Rules change and vary by city; confirm with your building department, DBPR, your insurer, an attorney or an engineer as fits.