What To Do If Your Condensate Drain Is Clogged In Your Air Conditioning System

The condensate drain line is where the condensation from your air conditioning system comes out. It then collects into a drip pan. This condensate line can clog with time and eventually lead to the condensation building up. If the condensation builds up in your air conditioning system, it can lead to your system freezing up, as this moisture will turn to ice. To prevent this from happening, you need to be sure your condensate drain doesn't clog. If it does, however, you need to know how to unclog it. Read on for helpful tips and information.

1. Find The Drain Line

Your drain line usually runs beneath your evaporator coil and then out of your home, or into a sump pit, where it can be drained from your home. If you have an air conditioning system, you have a drain line. You need to find it so you can begin your work to unclog it. The drain line usually looks like a small piece of PVC piping, usually around an inch or two in diameter.

2. Use A Shop Vacuum

Once you have located the drain line, you can begin working to clear out the clog. Clear out as much as you can from the end using your fingers, then attach a shop vacuum to suck out contents of the drain from one end. Repeat on the other end of the drain line. When you attach the shop vacuum, you may need to keep your hand or something else wrapped tightly around it to create a seal.

3. Pour Bleach Water Into The Drain

Once you've used the shop vacuum and cleared out what you can in the drain, pour a solution of bleach and water into the drain from the end nearest your air conditioner. Pour the solution into the drainpipe to be sure it comes out of the other end properly, and to also help clean out the inside of this pipe. It is most likely going to have mold and mildew inside, and the bleach mixture can help clean out any odors or mold. Be sure to have someone watch the other end of the drain line to be sure the water is coming out of the other end.

If you have a clog in your condensate drain line, it can create a problem for your air conditioning system. Prevent clogs from occurring in the first place by keeping your unit clean, and changing the air filter often in your system as well. If you have a clog that you aren't able to clear, call a professional HVAC technician to help you with this.

For more information about AC repair, contact a local HVAC company.