How To Clean Your Ac Drain Line

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here's how to clean a condensate drain line and keep it clog-free

If you've got an air conditioner cooling your business firm, then y'all've got a condensate bleed line leading out of your house somewhere — whether you know information technology or non.

And a clogged condensate drain line is not an unusual problem to have.

The bleed line requires a little maintenance once or twice a year in order to avoid thousands of dollars in h2o harm repair bills. (Trust me, serious water damage can happen if y'all don't stay on top of this simple annual chore!)

Here are some signs of trouble with your condensate drain line.

Fortunately, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to keep your condensate bleed line clear and clog-gratuitous.

I'1000 going to show you lot how to do it.

Gravity Flow Line vs. Condensate Pump

First, yous need to detect out if you accept a gravity period line or a condensate pump (pictured hither).

A gravity flow line volition exist a simple PVC pipe leading from your a/c unit's evaporator coil.

I had a gravity condensate line with my old a/c organization and always had h2o and algae growing beyond the shaded driveway. I used to save the water in a bucket and water plants with it.

Don't express mirth! Information technology would fill a 5-gallon saucepan on a warm day with no problem at all. I would even have overflow on really hot days — that's when the algae would take concord in no time flat.

When I had my new HVAC system installed back in 2005, I had the tech install an a/c condensate pump — in order to become the water to get out my business firm (through clear flexible tubing), upwards and over the cars in the garage, and connect to the gutter drain line where it exits my property through an underground drain.

That way, I'd never see information technology or worry about it again. It works similar a charm, and I have i less headache!

Y'all're not here to hear about my system, though…

How To Clean The A/C Condensate Pump Or Condensate Line

If you want to clean and maintain your condensate drain line and/or condensate pump, at that place are a few ways to exercise it:

here the condensate drain line attaches to the a/c condensate pump

#i – If you have a condensate pump (like I do), the service tech that installed my HVAC system told me to simply add 2 to 3 tablespoons of bleach to the pump reservoir once or twice a year while information technology is still in operation. The bleach/water mixture will eat upward the algae and go on the line clear. That's it!

Other websites state a similar process. For example, the WhisperKool a/c condensate pump kit comes with the following instructions to service and clean the condensate pump:

Brand certain that the unit of measurement is disconnected from the ability source earlier attempting to service or remove any component.
Be sure the floats move freely. Make clean the floats equally necessary.
Clean the tank with warm water and mild soap.
Check the inlet and outlet pipage. Clean the inlet and outlet piping as necessary. Exist sure in that location are no kinks in the line that would inhibit flow.

#2 – If y'all have a gravity flow line leading from your a/c unit, y'all can use a Shop Vac to suck out all of the gunk:

Discover the finish of the drain line located somewhere outside of your home.
Remove the filter from your Shop Vac (to avoid ruining it).
Put the Shop Vac hose over the bleed line, turn the vacuum on, and allow it do its affair for a couple of minutes — as seen hither.

#three – If yous have a clean-out (or a T) at the starting time of the drain line, do this:

Open up the clean-out line (most your air handler, usually in the attic).
Cascade a warm h2o and bleach mixture through the condensate drain line — as seen hither.

How To Clear A Chock-full Condensate Drain Line

#1 – Utilise an air compressor.

Here's how to practise it:

Open the clean-out pipe at the beginning of the condensate drain line.
Stick the compressor air line inside.
Nail away for a minute or two!

This will also practise a fine job of cleaning the condensate line when it is especially cruddy.

#2 – Serpent the bleed line.

after fixing a clogged condensate drain line

This is commonly a last resort to clear a clogged condensate line

Y'all can hire a plumber's snake or auger at your hire-a-tool center — just be sure that it will fit in your make clean-out before you accept it dwelling house. (Most drain lines are 3/4″ PVC.)

Terry Dear'southward Plumbing and Remodel DIY forum has some skillful tips on clearing a chock-full condensate line.

The Bottom Line

You don't accept to hire an HVAC professional to make clean or repair a clogged condensate drain line.

If you follow my elementary tips above, you should be able to successfully clean and fix a chock-full condensate line yourself.

Want to "encounter" all of the pieces and parts that I'one thousand talking most? Here's a video that describes nigh of the things I've mentioned, and has a few more suggestions on how to maintain your drain line.

And… if you'd like to see one more expert's communication, the Tampa Bay Handyman shares more tips for cleaning a clogged condensate drain line.

I started as a home-stalker… visiting brand new homes nether structure in the neighborhoods near my firm. That inspired me to write well-nigh home edifice and domicile renovation projects — chronicling homes during different phases of structure from a consumer's point-of-view. Basically, the tips you'll find in my manufactures are a drove of checklists for what I think should (and should non) go into building or remodeling a quality home.