If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will Tips don't get any easier than this. If you find your car stinking and hear sloshing water noise from behind the vehicle’s dashboard, it can be a sign of the AC drain pipe being clogged … Using bleach to clear clogs in the condensation drain on window-mounted air conditioners can potentially cause damage. Only use the "Reverse" motor option when the cable will not go forward or to relieve tension when removing the clog. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line’s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. About 10 years ago my line clogged up and ruined the ceiling under where the pipe crossed. Figure A: Under-Floor Drain System. For larger blockages, use a wet-vac or air compressor to remove the blockage. Flush the drain with hot water and see if the drain clears. Remove the PVC cap from the top of the vent tee. If you live in a single-family home, it’ll be located outside, where the condenser … Look for floor drains to get a feel for where each pipe runs. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I found that insulated tube outside my house at the outside unit, but there was no larger pipe for where the drain pipe … Practice using the machine with the foot switch before trying to unclog the pipe. The main objective of an AC drain pipe is to remove the condensation produced due to the use of the AC unit’s evaporator coil. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. They might also test that the line is clear by pouring a small amount of clean water through the drain and observing its ability to flow out. Select a machine with self-feeding features to avoid feeding the cable back and forth manually. The drain pipe from my AC unit is working fine, but at the floor it terminates into a larger pipe that another insulated tube runs as well. Alternatively, they might use a garden hose or plumbers snake to remove the clog. If using a wet-vac, suction can be applied to either end of the drain line to … The job of clearing clogs in the larger drain lines found under … As indoor air circulates through the evaporator coil, dust, dirt and other airborne particles can be trapped by moisture. By using our site, you agree to our. Stir the mixture with a spoon to ensure a consistent solution. Put on your gloves and pour a mixture of one cup bleach and one cup water into the top of the drain pipe… Apply penetrating oil to the cleanout plug to loosen it up. For small drain lines that are 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) in diameter, select a cable. % of people told us that this article helped them. Get a water hose and take it to where the drain line is on the inside unit. Gently pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit in the piping for 10 to 20 minutes. Once the drain has been cleaned and tested, your technician will reassemble or reinstall any parts removed, restore power to the system and check to be sure everything is functioning properly. Do this to prevent clogs in your air conditioning unit’s drains. Learn how to choose and maintain your HVAC system. Upper floor fixtures possess pipes that run under your home's flooring or downward to the basement. A clogged AC drain line symptoms include: If you experience any of the above situations, it’s probably time to contact an HVAC professional who knows how to clear a clogged air conditioner drain line. If successful, they should find a dark mass that was suctioned or pushed out of the drain line when they check the vacuum. Clean Regularly. This indicates that the drain pipe has clogged … One of the first things the technician will do is locate the drain pain and check for standing water. If this service isn’t done regularly, you could potentially experience a clogging issue. Turn off the electrical breaker that powers the unit next. Window units drain their condensation from the bottom of the case, … Cleaning your drain line regularly is one of the best … Step 1: Locate your condensate drain line exit Every central air conditioner has a condensate drain line that runs from the indoor air handler to the outside of the home. You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. IMPORTANT TIP: Make sure you don’t push the blockage … Check the Drain Pan. These clogs need to be removed because they prevent water from draining and can cause serious damage to your air conditioning system over time. References. Also, you might be interested in visiting our air conditioner maintenance page for additional information regarding how you can help ensure that your AC works as intended and potentially reduce the risk of other future system issues. The most common sign of a clogged AC drain line is water dripping from the AC … Turn off the AC unit at the thermostat first. Look for a white PVC pipe that’s located near your outdoor unit. Put the kettle on (or use the stove or microwave if … Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If your drain has a basket strainer—the screen designed to catch foreign particles—remove it from below the sink with an adjustable wrench. If your AC drain line is clogged, it’s most likely due to an excess build-up of dirt or algae somewhere in your drainage line.. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Once the stoppage has been cleared out, the technician will likely follow up with a thorough cleaning of the drain pipe using a commercially available cleaner designed for use on PVC piping. Your local Carrier HVAC dealer offers the expertise needed to properly diagnose and service your AC system. Mix 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of baking soda with 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of table salt. Place the foot-operated switch somewhere easily accessible so you can step on it while feeding the cable into the drain. 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. If nothing comes out, try pressing the nozzle of the vacuum into the drain as far as possible. Often, they can give you some tips and machine recommendations. The line will be either a … All you need to do is turn off your air conditioner (if it didn’t already turn off as a safety measure), find the drain … Instead, use a basic method to safely unclog the drain and keep your vehicle's air conditioning … Locate the drain pipe. Poke that stiff, thin wire brush through this end as well, so you can clean out any easily reachable AC drain line clogs. How to Clean Your AC Drain Line With Vinegar or Bleach. To prevent serious damage to your system or your home, be sure to contact a qualified HVAC technician when you see signs of a condensate drain pipe clog. The dry condensate pan should be thoroughly cleaned to help prevent the growth of mold. 1. Here’s what to expect when your HVAC tech arrives. 4 Ways to Prevent Clogged Air Conditioning Drains. Mucus-like algae, mold, mildew, and even ice in extreme temperatures, can build up inside your condensation drain … Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. As a preventative measure, many HVAC technicians will inspect and clear debris from the AC condensate drain during your annual maintenance tune-up. This article has been viewed 11,479 times. Unclogging the AC Drain Line. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 If you have a situation with a clogged air conditioner drain line and you have exhausted the troubleshooting steps outlined previously, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a certified HVAC technician. Your AC doesn’t just cool your home, it also controls humidity, condensing moisture in the air and shuttling it outdoors through a small pipe called a drain line tube. Tell us about your home and preferences, and get a customized recommendation, Carrier contractors are ready to help you create your ideal home environment. Remove all … Repeat the process if you notice water dripping from under you air conditioner. Here are some commonly used tips for cleaning our your AC drain line to unclog it: Use a drain cleaning brush and hot water - for air handlers that have the drain clean out cap and a vent, this … Always follow the instructions given with the equipment—these are powerful machines. Never remove a cleanout plug or attempt to unclog a pipe that contains chemical drain cleaner. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Repeat the above process until you pull something out. Dump a baking soda, salt, and hot water mixture into the piping. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. wikiHow's. Add the diluted bleach solution to the drain pipe at each check of the system. The good news is that you should be able to unclog your AC’s drain line in as little as five minutes – as long as you have a wet/dry vac. If the clog is too far down, move on to step 5, below. Service of your HVAC equipment is best handled by a qualified professional. But when the blockage is rooted in your main drainage piping, the problem is a bit more complicated. For less serious clogs, you may want to begin by running a garden hose through the top of the drain pipe… https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/drain-repair/unclog-a-kitchen-sink/view-all/, https://www.mom4real.com/unclog-drains-baking-soda-vinegar-natural-cleaning-trick/, https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-unclog-drains/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/drain-repair/how-to-unclog-a-drain-that-s-hopelessly-clogged/view-all/, https://www.lowes.com/projects/repair-and-maintain/unclog-main-drain-line/project, https://www.plumbermag.com/how-to-articles/detection_leak_safety_cleaners/15_drain_cleaning_machine_safety_tips_to_keep_you_alive_sc_01ck7, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Never allow tension to build in your cable, which often happens when the cutting head hits an obstacle and stops turning. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Learn about our innovative products and how they can help improve your comfort. My AC man told me to pour 1 cup of Clorox in my drain pipe every year before I turn the AC … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Build-up of this debris can be carried off as condensate drains from the coil. [1] X Research source This will prevent any electrical accidents during cleaning. If you can see what is blocking the pipe and can remove it manually, do so by wearing protective gloves. Rent a drain-cleaning machine from a home hardware store. Describe all of the measurements and symptoms of your clog to an employee prior to renting your machine. A clogged AC drain line is a fairly common cause of system malfunction, and is often an easy issue to fix for a qualified HVAC service tech. Have a look at the AC drain pipe and see if the blockage is visible. Run hot water into the piping for 30 seconds after letting the mixture sit. In Arizona, we usually see clogged AC drain lines during or right after the Monsoon season because there’s a lot of dust and debris being blown around, which can easily get into the drain … If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. To help prevent the build-up and blockage of the condensate drain line there are a few methods of cleaning the drain line.Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC, is used for standard residential drain … To unclog the AC drain, you need a long, thin wire brush, white vinegar, and a wet/dry vacuum. When your HVAC services professional arrives to check your clogged AC drain line, they will likely turn the system’s power off, even if it is already not running. Turn off the power to your AC unit before you clean it. Using drain cleaner is a bad idea because it also damages your vehicle. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 11,479 times. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 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 … Find the point of access on your drain line, this is generally … Don't try this method with a machine that isn't designed for wet work! Using a gentle cleaning solution of warm water and soap or warm water and vinegar, carefully pour the solution into the drain pipe, stopping once it’s full. Only wear leather gloves when operating a drain-cleaning machine. Proceed slowly and carefully to avoid the cable suddenly twisting around your arm. Over time, it can become trapped in your condensate drain line, causing blockage. If you ask, the technician may show you how you can pour a cup of a mild cleansing agent like distilled vinegar to occasionally give the drain a cleaning yourself between routine maintenance calls. Pour a gentle cleaning solution down the drain line. Before you follow our easy how-to guide, look for these signs to ensure your drain is clogged: 1. Method 2 – For Large Clogs in the AC Drain Line 1. Assess the clog … This is for the safety of the technician as well as to protect the HVAC system from additional condensate-related damage. Contact a Carrier HVAC Dealer keyboard_arrow_right, Air Conditioners, HVAC Education, Efficiency, Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Air Purifiers, Ventilators, Musty, moldy smell near your indoor unit or in air from the registers/vents, Water damage in areas near the indoor unit. If standing water is present, it can either be soaked up with rags or removed with a wet vac. Secure the cap back on the drain pipe and turn your AC back on. Learn about our energy efficient innovations that can help you save on your heating & cooling energy expenses, while ensuring your home is comfortable. Use a garden hose to clear the drain line. What your AC condensate drain … One of the first things the technician will do is locate the drain pain and check … {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Unclog-Pipes-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Unclog-Pipes-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Unclog-Pipes-Step-1.jpg\/aid10501810-v4-728px-Unclog-Pipes-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"