AC condensate drain
 

We just bought a patio villa and I see that the condensate drain has a removable cap and there is a funnel on the pipe. What is the procedure for cleaning the drain?

Thanks,
Steve

Munns recommends a gallon of warm water down the condensate drain every 6 months.

I kill 2 birds with one stone. I have a short piece of hose, and I connect this to the water heater drain, and run it to the AC drain, then I open the drain on the water heater for a few minutes, walk outside and make sure that water is coming out.
So I clean the water heater and the AC at the same time.

If, or when, the time comes I’m going to hire D’Angelo and you for the walk–thru. Everything you post is so informative. Thank you.

PVC is not rated for hot water, be careful????

I use a cup of bleach & cold water once a year, have another person look outside to see what comes out.



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PVC is rated for 140F. I doubt his water heater is set that high. Besides, he is draining water out of the bottom which is cooler.

I had standing water in the utility room in the basement of my townhouse in Baltimore around 1993. The A/C repairman told me to put a cap of bleach down the tube every month during A/C season. I've done that at every location since until about last September. This same topic came up here on this message board and several people, who I believe included D'Angelo, said it is better for the pipes to use vinegar. So I have switched to vinegar the last couple of times.

I use the garden hose at city water pressure. Blows out the funk. Also use evaporator pan tablets so the condensate won't get funked up during periods of minimal cooling.

I use "AC Line" Cleaner ev. 4 months.

One other item, I installed a SCREEN on the outside drain pipe, this keeps creatures from entering the pipe and possibly plugging it up.

To Retiring, Thank you.

This is a great idea Villagetinker. The goal here is to keep this pipe clear do the A/C condensate drain can continue to drain when the unit is running. If it backs up, the water will enter the float switch and turn off the unit. In the summer, that is not a good thing.

Bleach is not recommended, as there is a slight chance that it could harm the A coil. Some say not to use vinegar, but I see no harm in that. A 1/2 a cup every so often is fine, as it will quickly be diluted by the water in the trap portion of the drain pipe. It will not even be in there long. Blowing it out with either a hose or a shop vac is also fine as long as you are careful.

If your A/C ever quits, always check the float switch first....if there is water in it, all you need to do is clear the drain line. This may save you an expensive service call.

A/C line cleaner can also be used. A gallon of hot water every so often is also fine.

Frank