Clogged Condensate Drain Line Air Conditioner

This is the condensate drain which plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner s evaporator coil.

Clogged condensate drain line air conditioner.

Every central air conditioner has a condensate drain line that runs from the indoor air handler to the outside of the home. In a nutshell its job is essential to keep your home comfortable. Air conditioners work by absorbing the heat and humidity from your home. Depending on local codes most air conditioning units need to have some type of water safety switch.

Look for a white pvc pipe that s located near your outdoor unit. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. Once inside the moisture from the humidity condenses on metal coils and is passed into what s called a drip pan before being taken out of your home through a pvc pipe called a drain or condensate line. When an air conditioner is running it pulls moisture from the air.

If the line isn t properly cleaned algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain causing elevated humidity musty odors and water damage inside your home. Although this is a symptom of a clogged drain line it is not 100. If the condensate drain line is clogged you will need to use a wet dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line. Signs the ac drain line is clogged.

When everything is working properly condensation runs down the drain line and exits outside your house. From there it travels down the drain line also known as a condensate drain. Build up of this debris can be carried off as condensate drains from the coil. As indoor air circulates through the evaporator coil dust dirt and other airborne particles can be trapped by moisture.

But that drain line is pretty small so it doesn t take much for it to become clogged. As that water collects and cools it drips into the condensate pan. What your ac condensate drain line looks like. How to unclog ac drain line.

Without this piece of the puzzle working well water could overflow or damage the air conditioner. The water safety switch will help prevent your home from being flooded due to a clogged condensate drain line. Sediment algae mold and insects can all. Over time your air conditioner hvac drain pipe gets clogged up and starts dripping because of the mold mildew and algae buil.

Connect wet dry vac to the end of the condensate drain line and make the connection airtight.