After physically removing any visible debris from the AC drain or drain pipe opening, the most likely way the technician will clear the clogged drain is using suction from a shop vacuum or wet vac. Alternatively, they might use a garden hose or plumbers snake to remove the clog.
What are symptoms of a clogged condensate line with a system in the attic?
- Musty, moldy smell near your indoor unit or in air from the registers/vents.
- Standing water near the indoor unit.
- Water damage in areas near the indoor unit.
- AC system is not cooling your home.
- AC system shuts down or doesn't turn on.
How do I unclog my AC drain without a vacuum?
If you have a very stubborn clog that doesn't come out with a shop vac and water, then you can try using a drain snake. Push the drain snake down into the drain line access near the air handler. Make sure the that the drain snake does not go towards your air handler or you could potentially damage the evaporator coil.
What happens if AC condensate drain is clogged?
A Clogged Line Will Freeze Your AC System A clogged condensate drain line will trap water in your air conditioner. As a result, the evaporator coil will eventually turn to ice. The moisture in the drain line can also freeze, which will cause your air conditioner to turn off.
Does vinegar clean AC drain line?
By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC's drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.
Can you use bleach in AC drain line?
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain Simply open up the drain line clean out or T on your inside unit and pour a 50/50 warm water and bleach mixture OR warm water and vinegar solution through the line. Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year.
How much bleach do I put in my AC drain?
Mix 1/4 cup bleach with 1 cup hot water and pour it into the pipe that leads into the condensate drain pan. PVC pipe and pans are not affected by the corrosive nature of chlorine bleach, but be careful to not splash the bleach onto the evaporator coils or other metal parts of the air conditioner.
How do you unclog a condensate drain in the attic?
Use the suction hose of a wet/dry vac to suck the clog out. Remove the cap from the condensate drain line. Fix the hose attachment to the wet/dry vac's hose, and position it into or flush with the end of the drain line. Then, use duct tape to seal the gap between the hose and the drain line.
What happens if furnace condensate line is clogged?
The drain is attached to a line that leads outside of your home, called the condensate drain line. The line is often made of PVC pipe. When this line gets blocked somehow, your furnace cannot drain excess condensation. This can lead to flooding or make your furnace abruptly stop working.
How do you flush a condensate line?
- Turn off your air conditioner.
- Locate your condensate drain line.
- Identify the access point on the drain line.
- Flush with distilled vinegar.
- Let the solution sit for 30 minutes.
- Repeat each month.
How much does it cost to unclog a condensate drain line?
If this condensate drain pipe is clogged, then the water flow is restricted, which causes water leaks in your home. To repair this line may cost you between $75 to $250.
How do I unclog my main AC drain line?
Attach the end of your wet/dry vacuum to the end of the AC drain line. Seal it securely using duct tape. Turn the vacuum on to suck out any debris and hopefully clear your clog. After you've run the vacuum for about a minute, remove the wet/dry vac and head indoors.