Having a clogged AC drain or condensate line will negatively impact the ability of your AC unit to provide cool air into your home. In fact, if left alone, the evaporator coil will likely freeze. It’s also possible for water in the drain line to turn to ice, causing the AC unit to completely shut down.
If you’ve noticed signs such as a musty smell near your indoor unit or coming from the vents; standing water or any visible water damage near your indoor unit; inconsistent cooling; or, that your unit doesn’t come on or turns off prematurely, then it’s possible the AC drain is clogged.
Merts Heating & Cooling has trained HVAC technicians available to unclog your AC drain line, but if you feel like handling the task yourself, follow these seven steps:
- Before starting the unclogging process, you should turn off the air conditioning system to ensure your safety.
- Find the condensate line that needs to be unclogged. This is usually a PVC pipe that runs from the indoor air handler to the outside.
- Check the condensate line for any signs of blockage or obstruction. You may notice water pooling around the pipe or an unusual noise coming from the AC unit.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to suction out any debris, dirt or other clogs from the line. You can also use a small plumbing snake to push the blockage out from the other end of the line.
- The drain pan is located beneath the evaporator coil and is where the water accumulates before it exits the condensate line. Remove any debris or mold that has accumulated in the drain pan to prevent future clogs.
- Once the line is clear of any debris or clogs, flush it out with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Pour the solution into the condensate line from the air handler side, and let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing the line with water.
- After completing these steps, turn the AC back on and check to make sure that water is flowing freely through the condensate line. You should also check the drain pan for any signs of leakage or overflowing.
Merts Heating & Cooling offers a comprehensive maintenance plan that will keep your AC running at its best all season long. If you’d like a professional to unclog your AC drain line, contact Merts today.