Indications of a blocked condensate pipe Look for the presence of water around the boiler or an overflowing condensate tray, both signalling a potential blockage in the pipe. Listen for gurgling or dripping noises coming out of your boiler. This suggests the water is not draining and is causing a blockage.
You hear gurgling noises coming from your heating system. The boiler shuts down. You can see blockages like leaves in the area where the pipe terminates. You hear a gurgling sound when you try to ignite the boiler.
Locate the white plastic pipe that leads outside, then check for any blockages like debris or ice. Defrost ice with warm water, not boiling, and use a rod or wire to push through the obstruction. If that doesn't work, call a pro with specialist equipment.
Flush Condensate Drain Line
The repair cost to have the drain line flushed runs between $75 to $250.
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 soon know if you have a frozen condensate pipe as things will get rather chilly. You're unlikely to have access to heating and hot water. There may also be some rather strange gurgling sounds coming from your boiler. If you take a look at your boiler's control panel, you're likely to find it's stopped operating.
All right, so in summary, don't use bleach; use vinegar. That helps with any mildew growth—keeps you running clean. It's not going to actually clean your A/C drain, but it can prevent some backups.
Leaks with a constant flow rather than slow drip can mean a condensate pipe has become disconnected or punctured. If that's the case, it's important to get your HVAC system serviced as soon as possible to avoid additional problems including further damage to your house.
A clogged condensate drain line will trap water in your air conditioner. As a result, the evaporator coil will eventually turn to ice. The moisture in the drain line can also freeze, which will cause your air conditioner to turn off. But before it does, it'll likely suffer some damage.
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.
When the air conditioner is running, the water created by condensation is expelled outside through a dedicated drain pipe. If this does not happen, it is likely that there is a blockage that needs to be addressed.
One of the most obvious signs is a puddle of water in your AC's drain pan, which proves the water isn't draining as it should. Other signs include: Standing water near your air conditioner's condenser unit. A moldy smell around the drain or from your system's vents and registers.
If the blockage is due to freezing, the pipe needs to be carefully thawed using warm water. The water should be gently poured over the external section of the pipe until it defrosts. The use of boiling water should be avoided to prevent damage.
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.
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain
Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year. Be advised, however, that some newer units no longer recommend bleach or vinegar due to oxidation/degradation concerns. In these cases, boiling water is recommended.
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.
Thaw the pipe
You can use a hot water bottle or a microwaveable heating pack (the sort used for muscular aches and pains) or a cloth soaked in hot water. You can also pour hot, but NOT boiling, water onto the blockage, but remember that the water may freeze on the ground and make it slippery.
Removing clogs
Vacuum the standing water from the condensate pan with a wet/dry vacuum. Insert a plumber's snake or plastic tubing into the PVC drain attached to the pan to remove obstructions, then do the same on the terminal end of the drain.