[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Jimbo120

PM me for specifics but I purchased a small drain Bladder at Lowes for around $40 which goes in the overflow pipe and reaches below the pipe going back in the system (important) The bladder is attached to a water hose and allows the full force of the water to clear the pipe. Some people put a shut off on the bladder to keep from having to run back to the spicket to turn off the water.

I have basically the same thing that I bought from Amazon for about $12. It works great.

Amazon.com

[Miboater]

I've been doing the hot water flush every two months and for the first time in almost 4 years my system shut down because of a clogged condensate line. Luckily I previosly bought an attachment on Amazon that on one end connects to a shop vac and the other end to the outside condensate line. I procrastinated using it 3 months ago when I bought it but it worked great cleaning out the clog. It was under $9 and it is called AC Drain Line Cleaner Tool Wet Vac Attachment. I was surprised by the gunk that was being sucked out and thinking now that just the regular hot water flush is not enough and will start using vinegar with the hot water.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Miboater

I've been doing the hot water flush every two months and for the first time in almost 4 years my system shut down because of a clogged condensate line. Luckily I previosly bought an attachment on Amazon that on one end connects to a shop vac and the other end to the outside condensate line. I procrastinated using it 3 months ago when I bought it but it worked great cleaning out the clog. It was under $9 and it is called AC Drain Line Cleaner Tool Wet Vac Attachment. I was surprised by the gunk that was being sucked out and thinking now that just the regular hot water flush is not enough and will start using vinegar with the hot water.

When you use the hot water flush are you able to pour quickly? I pour as fast as the funnel I am using can take the water. I have felt pretty good thinking that if water moved that quickly then there must not be a blockage. Maybe I shouldn't be as confident.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Miboater

I've been doing the hot water flush every two months and for the first time in almost 4 years my system shut down because of a clogged condensate line. Luckily I previosly bought an attachment on Amazon that on one end connects to a shop vac and the other end to the outside condensate line. I procrastinated using it 3 months ago when I bought it but it worked great cleaning out the clog. It was under $9 and it is called AC Drain Line Cleaner Tool Wet Vac Attachment. I was surprised by the gunk that was being sucked out and thinking now that just the regular hot water flush is not enough and will start using vinegar with the hot water.

According to Munn's and Carrier, you should only use hot water in the condensate drain pipe, no vinegar. I use hot water every month, and I also use the device mentioned in Post No. 16 to flush the pipe with water about every 6 months. In 10 years, I have never had a clogged condensate drain.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I have basically the same thing that I bought from Amazon for about $12. It works great.

Amazon.com

Questions about the item you linked: first, what is the difference between the $12 item and whatever else is in the "combo Pak?" Second, when you turn that thing on (the water) and it goes full hose-force doesn't the water hit the block and start shooting back into your face?

Finally, how did you put an on/off valve on it so you didn't have to run back to the spigot?

Thanks

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Questions about the item you linked: first, what is the difference between the $12 item and whatever else is in the "combo Pak?" Second, when you turn that thing on (the water) and it goes full hose-force doesn't the water hit the block and start shooting back into your face?

Finally, how did you put an on/off valve on it so you didn't have to run back to the spigot?

Thanks

In the combo pak, you get a separate larger device for larger drain pipes.

I would recommend having a second person to hold the device into the pipe when you first turn on the hose bib. This will prevent the device from popping out of the pipe. Turn on the hose bib slowly. But, once the rubber bladder expands, it seals off the pipe and the water only flows down the drain to flush out the line, with no backflow.

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

When you use the hot water flush are you able to pour quickly? I pour as fast as the funnel I am using can take the water. I have felt pretty good thinking that if water moved that quickly then there must not be a blockage. Maybe I shouldn't be as confident.

I was doing the tea kettle and heating the water until it was boiling and then letting it sit for a little while to cool off. It would go down as fast as I could pour it in so I never thought I was having any issues. When I opened the shop vac after I flushed the line there was nothing besides a white and clear slime as I thought maybe a lizard or other varmint crawled in the line.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

According to Munn's and Carrier, you should only use hot water in the condensate drain pipe, no vinegar. I use hot water every month, and I also use the device mentioned in Post No. 16 to flush the pipe with water about every 6 months. In 10 years, I have never had a clogged condensate drain.

Munn's might suggest something different if hot water alone wasn't solving the problem. Hot water flushes and should kill the bacteria but if that doesn't work then adding vinegar to the water might help.

The blue tablets in the drain tray are supposed to do the job too, just something else to buy.

I don't have the flush attachment and would prefer not to have to use it. If it comes down to it though, every six months isn't bad.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Miboater

I was doing the tea kettle and heating the water until it was boiling and then letting it sit for a little while to cool off. It would go down as fast as I could pour it in so I never thought I was having any issues. When I opened the shop vac after I flushed the line there was nothing besides a white and clear slime as I thought maybe a lizard or other varmint crawled in the line.

Boiling water is not good. You can damage the plastic pipe or melt the glue and cause a leak. I would only use hot tap water.

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Boiling water is not good. You can damage the plastic pipe or melt the glue and cause a leak. I would only use hot tap water.

I never use boiling water and wait until it cools down to 140 degrees.

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

According to Munn's and Carrier, you should only use hot water in the condensate drain pipe, no vinegar. I use hot water every month, and I also use the device mentioned in Post No. 16 to flush the pipe with water about every 6 months. In 10 years, I have never had a clogged condensate drain.

I hear that but I also hear people say they have been using vinegar for years with no issues. I may try the commercial condensate line cleaner that you can get from Home Depot or Lowe's. I believe you use those every 6 months along with the monthly hot water flush.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Miboater

I never use boiling water and wait until it cools down to 140 degrees.

You are probably safe at 140 degrees for the pipe. That is the maximum operating temperature for PVC pipes. However, I don't know about the glue that holds the joints together. But, definitely do not use boiling water, which some posters have said they use. My tap water is set at 130 degrees.

[jrref]

Folks, just remember, whatever you use to flush your drain, the condensate drain is just PVC going under your air handler, in some cases under your hot water tank and then outside. If you damage or break that drain anywhere under your air handler, you are going to have a very expensive repair.

If you maintain the drain once a month, then hot tap water is all that is needed. If the drain has not been maintained then once it's cleared using a vaccume, then you should be OK. If you are still getting clogs after maintaining once a month then call your HVAC company to see if something else is wrong. If you are a snow bird then maybe one of those automatic systems may be the solution.