When your air conditioner is tirelessly running to keep your home cool and comfortable, it also works hard to remove moisture from your indoor air. In an ideal situation, this water collects in the condensate drip pan and flows through a drain pipe that directs it outside your home.
If the AC drain line is blocked, it could spell trouble for your unit. To keep your cooling system safe and efficient and prevent water damage, always schedule an AC tune-up at least two times a year. A certified AC technician will ensure drain lines are clear. Here’s how to unclog and clean an AC drain on your own.
First, How Do You Know the Drain Line is Clogged?
You first need to locate the drain pipe. Usually, it’s a capped vertical PVC or copper pipe running from your indoor AC unit to the outside of your home near the outdoor unit. Here are common signs of a clogged AC drain pipe:
Water puddles in your AC’s drain pipe
Standing water around the unit
Water damage around the AC unit, fan, or floor
A full AC condensate pan
The AC stops running because its water safety switch has automatically shut it off
Moldy smell throughout the house
What Causes the AC Drain Line Clog?
Since the evaporator coil stays wet when removing moisture from indoor air, the water it collects may mix with dust and other tiny particles and turn into mud. Over time, this causes a blockage in the drain pipe. A back up of debris such as leaves in the yard can also cause clogs. Even a small buildup of muck can create a perfect environment for algae and mold to thrive, which affects the flow of water.
How to Fix a Clogged AC Drain Line
The good news is, unclogging and cleaning an AC drain line is something you can do on your own with readily available material. Here’s how to clear up your air conditioner’s drain pipe clogs in just a few minutes.
Supplies Needed
A stiff and thin brush
A wet or dry vacuum
Duct tape
Vinegar
Rubber gloves
Follow These Steps to Unclog Your AC Drain Line:
Step 1: Shut down your AC by switching your thermostat from cool to off and turning the breaker off.
Step 2: Identify the AC drain line that expels the water the AC unit wrings from the air. It’s the pipe that runs from the indoor unit to the outside of your home.
Step 3: Put on your gloves, open the PVC cap that covers the pipe fitting that connects your air conditioner’s drain pipe to the drainage tray. Assess whether you can remove some of the blockage manually. If you can’t extract the clog, close it and go outside.
Step 4: Connect the vacuum to the end of the AC drain pipe, wrap duct tape around to create a tight seal, and run the vac for one to two minutes. It will suck out the debris from the drain.
Step 5: Go inside, remove the PVC cap and use your stiff brush to gently clean out any additional clogs from the AC drain line.
Step 6: Flush your AC drain line with a quarter cup of white distilled vinegar. Pour it in the opening where you’ve removed the cap and let it sit for thirty minutes. It will kill any remaining mold, algae, and bacteria.
Step 7: Lastly, flush the AC drain pipe with lots of water and have someone outside tell you if the water is flowing freely. If it doesn’t run out normally, there’s a stubborn clog that needs the attention of a professional AC technician. If all looks good, power on your AC.
Partner with a Licensed AC Technician to Solve Your AC Issues
If you encounter a tough clog that won’t dislodge when cleaning your air conditioner’s drain line, contact our experienced AC specialist at Veteran Air Conditioning. Our licensed and insured AC technicians in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL use special tools, solutions, and techniques to safely remove tough clogs.
We can also inspect your AC, service it, diagnose any problem, and perform quality repairs and replacements. Feel free to schedule an appointment with us!
