A/C's Condensate Drain Clogged? You Can Do It, But Here's Why You Need a Hand
Your air conditioner's condensate drain line is a small, inconspicuous part of the system, but it plays a vital role. If this drain becomes clogged, you could end up with backed-up water causing damage or shutting down your A/C.An air conditioner removes both heat and moisture from the air. As indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, moisture in the air condenses into water. The condensate drain directs that water into your plumbing system or outdoors.Over time, algae and sludge form in the drain and can eventually block the drain so little or no water can pass through. Twice-yearly preventive A/C maintenance helps keep the drain clear.For basic maintenance, remove the plastic condensate drain tube in your indoor unit and look for sludge or algae. If you see any, clean the tube by pouring a dilute bleach solution through it. Then use a bottle cleaner or similar brush to scrub the inside of the drain tube attached to the unit before you replace the condensate tube.If your drain line is blocked, use a wet-vac to pull sludge out of the outside part of your drain line, usually a short pipe near your outdoor condenser unit.While DIY maintenance helps, certain issues can cause frequent or severe blockages that call for an HVAC technician. These include:Incorrect installation -- If the drain line was installed at the wrong angle, it should be adjusted to reduce the likelihood of sludge buildup.Blocked overflow pan drain -- When the overflow pan drain becomes blocked, it can't properly manage overflow, leading to further drainage problems.Off-season debris accumulation -- When your A/C system isn't in use for several months, sludge in the drain can dry out and form hard blockages.A technician has professional-grade equipment, such as high-pressure CO2 gas cartridges and compressed-air pumps, that effectively clear out severe blockages and clean partially blocked drains. They also can use a specialized Anti-Microbial called BBJ that inhibits this growth for up to 6 months.For expert care of your A/C condensate drain or any other part of your cooling, heating or plumbing system, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide reliable services throughout the Broken Arrow and Greater Tulsa Metropolitan area.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock