Clogged Air Conditioning Condensate Drain Lines
Learn more about your hvac system here.
Clogged air conditioning condensate drain lines. When the drain line backs up it can trigger a sensor that turns off the hvac system until the line is cleared. Air conditioning units that get a lot of work and are constantly running are going to get clogged more often. If that doesn t solve the problem locate the drain line access point near your indoor air. Over time algae and other muck can build up.
If the condensate drain line is clogged you will need to use a wet dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line. Clean regularly cleaning your drain line regularly is one of the best things you can do to prevent clogs. Step 2 check the drain pan. When your hvac services professional arrives to check your clogged ac.
If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet you ll need to find the condensate pan. Turn off your ac unit at the thermostat and at the breaker. How to clean your air conditioner drain 1. In my hvac career i have seen some pretty nasty stuff that i ve pulled out of air conditioning condensate drain lines.
This will kill any algae mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. Vacuums and compressed air pressure alone are a short term fix as they will only create a small channel in the piping and will eventually clog again. A major problem with air conditioning condensate drainage is the lack of any device to break up the wall buildup in condensate drain piping. Then the clogged ac drain line starts to cut off.
The purpose of an air conditioner s drain line is to remove condensation that develops with the use of the ac unit s evaporator coils. 4 ways to prevent clogged air conditioning drains 1. One of the most common reasons for an ac to stop working is a clogged drain line. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit.
How to unclog an ac drain line step 1 power off the air conditioning unit. The ac condensate drain line removes the water released when the evaporator in your ac unit converts refrigerant from a liquid to a gas. The condensate is constantly traveling through the humid drain piping where algae loves to grow. Here s what you do.
Locate where the drain line exits your house and make sure it isn t clogged by an insect nest or something obvious. If you see standing water in the drain pan your drain. Step 3 unclog the drain line. So now with all this dirt collecting up and mixing with the condensate line water from your ac you find your air conditioning drain pipe blocked.
Turn off the power to your hvac system at the thermostat and at the breaker.