Do you suspect that you’re dealing with a clogged AC drain line? There are a number of warning signs that indicate this sort of problem. Modern units may also provide you with a notification that tells you that you have a clog. No matter what your situation is, there are several steps you can take to deal with this frustrating issue.
What is the Purpose of the AC Drain Line?
The drain line plays an important role as it helps protect against damages caused by humidity when the condensate spills. The main function of the drain line is to remove any wetness or liquid created through refrigerant conversion so that we can all enjoy dry air no matter what time it may be!
How Do You Know If Your Aircon Drain Line Is Clogged?
There are many signs that your AC drainage pipe may be clogged. If you notice any of the following, it’s likely to have a backlog: –
- The first thing is water damage because there will always be water leaking from an improperly drained unit if something becomes stuck in the line
- Mould and other annoyances develop inside the indoor unit
- Cooling problems arise when air cannot escape through properly vented pipes resulting in more work for fans
- The strain on systems causes them to shut down
- Standing water close to the indoor-outdoor units indicates either too much debris has been allowed into drain lines.
What Happens If Aircon Drain LineIs Clogged?
If the aircon drain line is blocked, water won’t move out of your home and keep things dry. This can make humidity levels rise in your house and increase other problems like mildew or mould growth that are bad for health!
This will affect the comfort level of your property. If not solved, it can lead to other problems like mildew and mould growth – which is a health hazard!
This could also cause water-related damages such as weakening structures over time if left unaddressed; hence, troubleshooting should be done regularly to avoid any more issues in the future.
Make Sure You Have The Supplies You Need
You won’t be able to deal with this problem unless you have the appropriate tools. The materials you’ll need in order to take care of a clog are:
- Rubber gloves
- Duct tape
- Bleach
- A thin wire brush
- A wet/dry vacuum
Most of these items are things you’re likely to have around the house. If you don’t have a wet/dry vacuum, you don’t necessarily need to purchase one. This is also an item that you can rent. Once you have all these materials gathered, you’ll just need to follow these simple steps. While you can do this yourself, it’s a good idea to have someone on hand that will be able to provide help when you need it.
Step One: Turn Off Your AC Unit
Working on an AC unit that’s powered on can be dangerous. Take the time to confirm that your unit has been shut off. It’s smart to unplug it so that you won’t have to worry about the unit being turned on while you’re working.
Step Two: Locate Your Drain Line
You’ll need to figure out where your drain line is before you can get to work. Typically, your drain line will be located near your condenser unit. If you’re struggling to find your drain line, you’ll want to check the manual that came with your unit.
Step Three: Use The Wire Brush To Clean The Drain Line
After you’ve found your drain line, you can begin the process of cleaning it using your wire brush. This will take care of any clogs that are located at the end of the drain line. In some cases, this will be enough to solve your problem, but if the clog persists, you’re going to want to move on to the next step.
Step Four: Use The Wet/Dry Vacuum
Secure the end of the drain line to the end of the wet/dry vacuum. You’ll want to use duct tape to ensure that everything is firmly in place. Once you’re confident that everything has been sealed in securely, you can start running the vacuum cleaner. This may be enough to take care of your clog. Let the vacuum run for at least one full minute.
Step Five: Clean Your Drain Pan
After you shut off your vacuum, you can remove it and head back indoors to look at your drain pan. After this, it’s likely that it will need a good cleaning. You can use the vacuum to clean out the drain pan. Once that’s done, you’ll want to give it a good scrub using soap and water.
Step Six: Find Your Vent Tee
While it’s likely that the previous steps will have taken care of most of your problems, it’s possible that you still have a small clog left behind. In order to address this, you’ll want to find your vent tee. This is where your drain line connects to your drainage tray. There should be a small cap over the vent tee, which you’ll want to remove.
Step Seven: Clean This Side Of Your Drain Line
You’ve cleaned one side of your drain line using your wire brush, and now it’s time for you to tackle the other side. Place the brush into this side of the drain line and move it back and forth, doing your best to get rid of any reachable clogs.
Step Eight: Use Bleach To Clean Out Your Drain Line
For this step, you’re going to want to use bleach to get rid of any mess that’s been left behind. Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that can get rid of mold, but it can also cause a lot of damage. To avoid harm, you’re going to want to wear gloves for this step.
Mix one cup of bleach with one cup of water. Take that mixture and pour it down the drain line. You’ll want to wait at least half an hour before moving on to the next part of the process.
Step Nine: Check Your Drain Line
After enough time has passed, you’ll want to test to see if water drains out of your drain line. There are two ways you can handle this. If you’re working alone, you can place a bucket outside at the end of your drain line. If you’re working with someone else, you can ask them to stand outside and watch for water.
Pour water into your vent tee and check to see if that water comes out the other side. If it does, you’ve taken care of the clog. If you’re not seeing any water come out, or if only a small amount of water appears on the other side, you’re going to have to move on to the next step.
Step Ten: Call For AC Professional Help
Drain line clogs are a common issue, and in many cases, they’re a problem that you can take care of on your own. However, if a clog is very severe, you might not be able to get rid of it when following these steps.
In these kinds of situations, the best thing you can do is call professionals to deal with the clog as soon as possible. The aircon repair professionals you hire will have access to specialty tools, which means they’ll be able to work to get rid of your clog for good.
Can A Clogged Drain Cause AC to Stop Working?
Yes. A clogged drain can cause AC to stop working. If the drain line clogs and traps water, it will eventually turn into ice. This can happen if there’s a lot of humidity in the air around it, creating condensation on metal components. The evaporator might freeze, causing an unexpected shutdown! Check for drainage problems at least once every month before anything happens, so you don’t end up with damages that cost even more money to fix later down the road.
Conclusion
Even though a clogged drain line can be a major headache, it’s not necessarily an expensive or difficult issue to fix. In most cases, this is an issue that you’ll be able to deal with on your own. If you don’t mind the DIY approach, use these guidelines to take care of your clog.
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