Add ¼ cup of distilled vinegar to the drain line through the opening where the cap was removed. It's recommended you use regular distilled white vinegar, as the increased acidity boosts its cleaning properties. If you find the smell of vinegar foul, you can also use peroxide or hot water and a dash of dish soap.
How do I unclog my AC condensate drain line?
- Turn off your air conditioner. ...
- Remove the cap from the pipe. ...
- Check to see if there is any debris stuck in the drain. ...
- Remove any visible debris and retest for proper drainage. ...
- Pour in Vinegar. ...
- Replace the drain cap. ...
- Remove the drain cap.
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.14 jun 2019
How do I know if my AC condensate line is clogged?
- 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.
Is bleach bad for AC drain line?
Bleach and Vinegar are Corrosive to metals The reason you shouldn't use bleach or vinegar to clean your AC drain line all boils down to the fact that these chemicals are corrosive to metals. In other words, they literally eat away at metal.
How do you keep a condensate drain from clogging?
You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. 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.
How often should you put bleach in AC drain line?
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year. Be advised, however, some newer units no longer recommend bleach or vinegar due to oxidation/degradation concerns.12 may 2015
Can I put bleach in my condensate pump?
Put a funnel in the "T" and pour a quart or two of bleach into the drain. Go slowly as to allow the bleach to kill the mold and mildew . This should be done once a year at least. ... If you have a condensate pump, the bleach will fill up the water reservoir and turn on the pump cleaning out the vinyl exit tubing.
Can you use bleach in AC drain line?
Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line's access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line.