Clogged Condensate Line: What Do I Do?
Why Is Water Leaking?
A clogged condensate line is a common air conditioner problem that many people have during hot weather.
As your air conditioner removes the hot humid air from your home, water condensates on your evaporator coil that sits on top of your furnace.
This water is then meant to fall into a condensate pan and then drain into the ground via a condensate drain line.
However, sometimes these pans and drain lines can become clogged and you will start to see a puddle of water around your furnace.
Unclogging Your Condensate Drain Line
There are a couple different options when it comes to unclogging your AC drain line.
The most popular method is using a 50/50 mixture of hot water an vinegar and pouring this down the drain line to clean it out.
It make take several tries, but this method will generally clean out small clogs.
If you have a larger clog, you may need to resort to other methods such as removing the line itself and removing the clog manually.
This can sometimes be done by yourself, but if the drain line clog is in a hard to reach location, it’s time to call a professional HVAC company to remove it for you.
Preventing AC Drain Line Clogs
Over time, it is normal for drain lines to have mold and mildew build up in them.
However, you can prevent clogs by keeping them clean.
During the summer months, pour hot water and vinegar down your drain line at least once per month to ensure no build up occurs.
There are also drain line cleaning tablets that you can purchase at home goods stores to help eat away at any build up.
Another good idea is to have a water leak detector installed to notify you immediately of a water leak.
Having your AC system cleaned should be one of the first things that is completed in the spring.
