Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.
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.
Water and Dish Soap
Dish soap and water, of course! Use a mixture of both to clean your AC drain line. The dish soap will help to break down the dirt and debris, while the water will flush it away. To use this method, mix a quart of water and a teaspoon of dish soap.
Using bleach or vinegar can be especially risky if you think your AC drain line is clogged. If the drain line is clogged, the corrosive mixture will simply back up in your drain line and flow into your drain pan, which in turn can damage your evaporator coil.
Remove the drain line plug (the cover of the drain line) and pour in ¼ cup of distilled vinegar. The acidity in vinegar kills algae and bacteria, but keep in mind that it may take a few hours to remove the clog if it is severe. Repeat the process until the drain is clear.
The easiest way to clean drain lines is with a bit of bleach or vinegar. It only takes 5-10 minutes to clean your system and remove any mold or mildew, and when you're done you will be able to use your AC system even better than before!
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain
Simply open up the drain line clean out or T on your inside unit and pour a 50/50 warm water and bleach mixture OR warm water and vinegar solution through the line. Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year.
While certain cleaners may not be compatible with PVC piping, bleach is usually safe to use in most applications, as long as it's used properly.
Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system.
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. Flush the drain line with water at the vent.
Repeating the vinegar cleaning process once every month will keep your AC drain line in great condition. The cleaning process is exceptionally effective at removing unwanted bacteria and fungi, allowing your AC to run efficiently. Call (928) 263-8698 Today or Book Online for Heating and Cooling Service!
You can use 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, liquid bleach, hot water or hydrogen peroxide. However, do not mix bleach and vinegar together since that produces a poisonous gas. Allow the solution to sit for at least 30 minutes, or until the clog clears.
Let hot water run for a minute to warm up the pipes. Drop in 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour in 1 cup of vinegar, cover the drain with a plug and let sit for 10 minutes – you will hear fizzing. Rinse with more hot water.
Though not always the number one recommended long-term solution, baking soda and vinegar along with some hot water can prove to be a serviceable solution to clear your drains.
BLEACH DOESN'T CLEAR DRAIN CLOGS.
It cannot dissolve things like food waste, breadcrumbs, grease, and hair. Instead, pouring bleach into a clogged drain will make things worse. The bleach could react with other chemicals, creating dangerous fumes, and if the reaction is violent, it can even burst your drain pipes.
No. Bleach is a very powerful and toxic substance, so you need to take particular caution in what you apply it to – pouring bleach down a drain does not constitute a proper use. Bleach has the potential to react with other substances in plumbing and pipework, and could end up causing further clogging of the system.
Use a Mixture of Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Hot Water
Pour half a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Then cover the drain opening and let it sit for 15-minutes.
The answer is that vinegar will not harm your pipes if used in small doses as recommended in many of the recipes that you find online. No matter what your pipes are made of, pex, pvc, copper, etc. Vinegar will not harm your water pipes.
For simple clogs or regular cleanings, warm water and dish soap often does the trick. To use this method, heat a few gallons of water in a pot, then let it cool for about two minutes. Mix in a few drops of dish soap, then pour it down the drain.
Unlike chemical drain cleaners, hydrogen peroxide won't destroy your pipes and drains. It is safe for regular use so you can do a hydrogen peroxide flush once every few weeks to keep your drains and pipes in good shape. However, for more complicated issues, it is always better to call your plumber.
One cup of bleach is the cheapest and easiest way to unclog the drain line in your AC. Be sure not to use any other type of chemical, as other chemicals could have a negative reaction with the bleach. Pour the bleach down the drain line as quickly as possible.
Preventing AC Drain Line Clogs
However, you can prevent clogs by keeping them clean. During the summer months, pour hot water and vinegar down your drain line at least once per month to ensure no build up occurs.