Cleaning Out Air Conditioning Drain

Secure the cap back on the drain pipe and turn your ac back on.

Cleaning out air conditioning drain.

If the condensate drain line is clogged you will need to use a wet dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line. Assessing the need to clean a drain a condensate drain that is working properly drips any time that an air conditioner is in use. This will kill any algae mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. There are various ways to clean out an air conditioner condensate drain and two popular methods are pouring white vinegar or bleach down the line to clear clogs.

Step 1 power off the air conditioning unit. By pouring a cup of vinegar into your ac s drain line you will kill any mold algae mildew and other forms of bacteria or fungi preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. When your hvac services professional arrives to check your clogged ac drain line they will likely turn the system s power off even if it is already not running. If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet you ll need to find the condensate pan.

You can prevent a clogged ac drain by performing routine cleaning. Clean out your drain line with bleach in early springtime each year to kill mold and mildew and prevent future clogs. Turn the power back on. Some people try pouring in hot bleach or air conditioning drain line cleaner but none of that will work on a solidified clog in your pipe.

Repeat this monthly for the best results. This is for the safety of the technician as well as to protect the hvac system from additional condensate related damage. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. Here s a step by step guide on how to clean your drain line with vinegar and keep everything operating at peak performance.

Slowly pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain line s opening and let the solution sit for 30 minutes. Turn off the power to your hvac system at the thermostat and at the breaker. You ll know your ac drain line is clogged if you see water pooling in the pan underneath the unit inside your home. An absence of a slow drip probably means that the drain is blocked.

Draino won t work boiling water won t work. You will need these items to clean your a c condensate drain. How to clean your air conditioner drain. Bleach and window units.