The good news is that you should be able to unclog your AC's drain line in as little as five minutes with a wet/dry vacuum. To remove the clog, you'll need to: Turn off your air conditioner if it is still running. Find the drain line's access and runoff.
If there is a clog in the drain unit of your air conditioner, it will create a mess for you. The operation of your AC will remain the same, but the drain pan will overflow, and float will switch the AC off. This condition can also cause some damage to your AC, but it will not affect its cooling capacity.
Simple fixes like minor sink clogs can be resolved in mere minutes with quick fixes like a plunger or boiling water. A tougher clog that needs methods like a drain snake or the vinegar and baking soda trick might take anywhere from fifteen minutes to half an hour.
To unclog an AC drain line, turn off the power to the unit. Locate the drain line and use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. Flush the line with water using a garden hose or cup of water. Check and clean the drain pan under the indoor unit.
When the AC is on but no water is coming out, it's not necessarily dangerous. This could simply mean that the humidity level is low, or the condensate drain line is clear, allowing water to evaporate before it exits the unit.
One of the most common reasons for a clogged drain pan is the presence of a defective drip pan. Drip pans are meant to drain water away from your A/C condenser with an easy-to-use hose. If your AC drain pan has rusted or corroded, there's a good chance that it no longer works.
Flush Condensate Drain Line
The repair cost to have the drain line flushed runs between $75 to $250.
This can cause excess moisture to accumulate in the AC and lead to mould growth or even electrical damage. Another possible reason for this issue is a malfunctioning float switch that's designed to turn off the AC if there's too much water in its collection tray.
Unclogging Your Condensate Drain Line
The most popular method is using a 50/50 mixture of hot water an vinegar and pouring this down the drain line to clean it out.
When a drain clog is ignored, the consequences can be serious. Left unchecked, a clogged drain can lead to a variety of plumbing problems, from reduced water pressure to flooding and sewage backups.
Unfortunately, the answer is no — very small clogs may wash away on their own, but they can also develop into larger clogs that require a fix from a professional plumber. In this guide, Desert Water Plumbing and Rooter will provide insights and solutions for those grappling with clogged sewer lines.
A Clogged Line Will Freeze Your AC System
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.
You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. By pouring a ¼ 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. Repeat this monthly for the best results.
You can try flushing the line with bleach or sucking the clog using a wet/dry vacuum to unclog it. Try poking the clog out using a thin wire brush if those tricks don't work. If your system is still not draining properly, you may need to replace the entire drain line.
The condition of your air conditioner is good if it is cooling properly, but it may require dripping water too. The absence of dripping water may be caused by dry air. You shouldn't be alarmed if this happens to your AC because it won't affect its performance.
Some homes may have a drain pan condensate safety switch that will automatically shut down the indoor unit if the water level inside the drain pan begins to rise, to help prevent water damage from a clog. But, if your system doesn't have this safety switch, it will continue running with a clogged drain line.
It's completely normal for your AC to drain 5-20 gallons of water outside of your home (via the condensate drain). It's NOT normal for your AC to drain any amount of water inside your home (around your indoor AC unit).
Call Service Champions for Emergency AC Repair
We provide residential AC repair in San Jose, Sacramento, and other parts of Northern California. Call 833-600-0991 or schedule your visit online whether you need a condensate drain line unclogged, an AC thermostat repair, or an air conditioner replaced.
AC is Producing Warm Air
One of the surefire signs of a clogged refrigerant line is if you notice the AC producing warm air when you expect cold air. The warm air is caused by a problem with the proper circulation of the refrigerant fluid, which is instrumental in cooling the air.
It will kill any bacteria or mold present in your drain line, just like vinegar will. Pour one cup of bleach down your drain line every month to help keep it free from clogs. One cup of bleach is the cheapest and easiest way to unclog the drain line in your AC.
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.