How do I find my AC drain line? Your AC has a condensate drain line running from the indoor to the outdoor unit. You'll find the end of the drain line somewhere near the outdoor unit (usually a copper or white PVC pipe). As for the access point, look for a vertical pipe with a cap near the indoor unit.
You'll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends. Near your indoor unit, you'll find a vertical PVC pipe with a cap on it, which acts as the access point for the condensate drain.
After finding the line, you'll also want to determine where the access points are. There should be one tee located near where the line exits the air handler and also an access point near the end of the line. If the line runs into a floor drain, there should be a tee that comes off the pipe where it enters the drain.
Where is the condensate pipe? The condensate pipe runs from the boiler to a suitable existing waste pipe system, or external drain pipe. If it is connected to an external drain pipe, it will be found outside your property leading out from your boiler.
In most vehicles, the A/C drain line is under the vehicle's passenger side, between the cabin side of the firewall and the evaporator.
Typical unclog ac drain line costs can range anywhere from $75-$250. In the case that the evaporator coil needs replacing, you are would pay between $400 to $950.
Most of the time, the sewer line will be sticking out of the ground and easy to spot; however, overgrown landscaping or objects close to the house could hide the cap. Or, you could have a buried sewer cleanout. Try searching on the side of the home that is closest to the main floor bathroom.
Your AC has a condensate drain line running from the indoor to the outdoor unit. You'll find the end of the drain line somewhere near the outdoor unit (usually a copper or white PVC pipe). As for the access point, look for a vertical pipe with a cap near the indoor unit.
The condensate pipe is usually a white PVC-U pipe, similar to one you may find on a washing machine or sink waste pipe which usually goes outside into a drain.
The AC drain line is located inside your home at the indoor HVAC unit. Your split system air conditioner or heat pump system consists of the outdoor condenser unit and the indoor evaporator coil, housed in the air handler or next to the furnace.
Your drain line often travels from your indoor units to outdoors near your external AC units. If you walk outside and look near your HVAC system, you may see a pipe connected to your home. This is where your drain line ends.
Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar into the pipe vent access point. Cleaning the condensate drain with vinegar will kill bacteria, algae, and mold inside of it. Leave the vinegar to sit for several hours before you pour water into the access point to flush out the drain line.
You generally have two options when it comes to finding the drainage system beneath your property. You can reach out to your local council and ask them to send you your drainage plan. The other option is to contact your local drainage experts and ask them to map your drains.
Common condensate issues
Common ways to identify if your condensate pipe is blocked are listening for an unusual gurgling sound when the boiler attempts to start, or the boiler may repeatedly 'lock out' or stop working and display an EA code.
Where do you put the AC drain line? The AC drain line is typically connected directly to the drain pan, which is located underneath your indoor air handler unit. From there, the line should be routed to a safe discharge point outside your home or to a nearby floor drain, ensuring it meets local building codes.
The condensate pipe will usually come out of the back of your boiler, down the external wall, and into the drain. It could also terminate into a waste pipe internally (a sink waste pipe, for example). It's a small, usually-white pipe, so It should be easy to spot amongst the metal pipes.
You should flush your AC drain line once every three months to keep it clear of debris and buildup. Keeping your AC drain line clean prevents clogs, backups, mold growth, and extra wear on your AC unit.
Main drains are located in the walls and floors of your home, while sewer line drains are located outside underground. Each drain pipe in your home is connected to a different household fixture on one end, including toilets, sinks and bathtubs, and the other end is connected to the main sewer line.
Many homes have two clean-outs (see below). One is near the foundation of the house and the second is at or near the property line. First, check the clean-out next to the house to see if it has water in it. If it doesn't contain any water, then you know the blockage is somewhere in the house plumbing.
Water pipe detector
Also known as a pipe locator, this tool can sense metal pipes and some can even detect plastic piping. A good quality pipe detector can save you from many headaches and unnecessary holes in the walls.
You can unclog a clogged AC drain line in just a few minutes using minimal tools if you catch the clog early enough. Many HVAC professionals suggest that you avoid using harsh chemicals such as Drano to unclog the block.
However, when your AC drain line becomes blocked and is unable to properly drain moisture, your AC will likely stop working and you'll need to call Wagner for AC repair.
A very useful diagnostic aid is the “Feel Test”. As the test implies it is a matter of quite simply feeling tubes and components for temperature drops, indicating possible blockage location. By this stage you would be aware of what side of the A/C system should be hot and what side should be cold.