Your browser is out of date. For the correct work of a site, install the new version.Maintaining a home's air-conditioning drain will prevent future clogs. Many modern homes are outfitted with central air-conditioning systems. Maintenance on these systems is critical, especially if you are trying to sell your home. One potential issue that can occur is a clogged drain. The indoor system portion generates condensate, or water residue, that must be drained to the outside. A pipe extending from the home's exterior wall usually allows this condensate to leave the interior, but it can become clogged with algae or other buildup. A simple clog removal process will allow you to have a properly functioning system for home inspection and a possible sale. Locate the drain line on the exterior of the home. This line is normally placed near or behind the outside air-conditioning unit; it is typically a black or white PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe extending from the wall. Remove the cover from the access hole on the drain line with a wrench.

Each pipe might have a different cover type depending on the original installation. Consult your system's manual for specific cover removal directions. Place a wet/dry vacuum near the access hole. Confirm that the vacuum is set for a wet suction process by removing any paper filters from its interior. portable ac unit reviewsEach vacuum manufacturer has a different setup process for wet suction procedures. size of central air conditioning unitConsult the vacuum's manual for specific instructions. how much does a 4 ton ac unit cost installedHold the hose tightly against the access hole. Turn the vacuum on. Allow the vacuum to suck the clog out of the drain pipe. Turn the vacuum off. Look inside the vacuum's storage tank by hand-releasing the cover.

Visually verify that the clog entered the vacuum. There should be a visible amount of algae or other residue inside. Reattach the tank's cover. Remove the vacuum from the access hole. Reattach the access hole's cover with a wrench. Turn on the air-conditioner system and allow it to run through its processes. Water should slowly drip from the drain pipe indicating the clog has been removed. Things You Will Need Wrench Wet/dry vacuum Tip Warning References Danny Lipford: AC Drain Clean Out Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionIf your home is equipped with a central air conditioning system you may have noticed a drain line on the outside dripping water near the air conditioner. This line drains condensation from the inside air handler to the outside. If this line clogs (usually from algae) it can cause water damage inside the house. You can prevent a clog by simply pouring a cup of household bleach into the line from the inside. To remove a clog once it has occurred, attach a wet/dry vacuum to the drain line outside (removing the paper filter first) and suck the clog out.

Innovative Pump Unclogs AC Condensation Drain Lines (article) Air Conditioners: From Maintenance To Buying New (article) HVAC System Heating and Cooling Maintenance Tips (video) How to Clean an AC Condensation Drain Line (video) You May Also Like How to Choose Countertops for Your Kitchen How to DIY Install Resilient Vinyl Flooring in Your Home Green Living Tips and Ideas for Your HomeWindow units drain condensation from the bottom of the unit's case. Air conditioners, whether they are window or central units, dehumidify the air as a byproduct of their cooling method. As they dehumidify, they remove moisture from the air and drain it through a condensate drain. Over time, this drain can become clogged with dirt and debris and needs to be cleaned. There are various ways to clean out an air conditioner condensate drain, and two popular methods are pouring white vinegar or bleach down the line to clear clogs. Bleach and Window Units Using bleach to clear clogs in the condensation drain on window-mounted air conditioners can potentially cause damage.

Window units drain their condensation from the bottom of the case, which is just outside your window. Pouring bleach in to a condensation drain on a unit above decorative plants or your lawn will kill anything it pours on. Additionally, bleach can damage the vinyl siding or shingles on your house as it drains from the unit. Odor Bleach and vinegar both have characteristic odors. They are not the most pleasant chemicals to smell, and you will need to wash out your drain with plain water a few times to remove the odor. Bleach vapor can actually be harmful if it is inhaled, whereas vinegar is more a nuisance than a danger. Vinegar is typically easier to rinse out of a drain line after you are done cleaning. Drain Line Material During the colder months, bleach should not be used for drain lines that are made of PVC or ABS plastic. 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.

Preventative Maintenance Mold, mildew and algae will grow in your air conditioner condensation drain year-round. Using bleach during the summer months is safe as long as the unit is operating because the constant flow of condensation will wash out any bleach residue. Pouring bleach into the drain when the unit is not operating can leave residual bleach, which will damage the drain pan and line. Using vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year will keep your drain clean and clear and will not damage your line. A couple months ago I detailed the travels of Harold the Helicopter’s journey to the bottom of our guest bathroom toilet, and the subsequent DIY plumbing project I undertook to rescue him. It wasn’t exactly a fun project, but I did learn more than I ever wanted to know about the anatomy of a residential commode, and I saved a ton of money I would have had to find a plumber for the effort. When a suspicious drip formed above our back door I knew it was again time to channel my “Tim the Toolman” skills and get to the bottom of it, without searching Angie’s List for an air conditioner repairman.  

I soon found myself in the attic staring at a nearly-overflowing air conditioner drain pan. If you have a portable air conditioner then you probably will not have to worry about this drainage issue, but if you have central air then take note. I suspected a problem with the air conditioner drain since when the drip started it had not rained in a few days. I checked the main air conditioner drain pipe which comes out of the side or our home and noticed it was draining, but not with as much volume as it typically did. In fact, a small puddle had formed in the past and I added a piece of 1″ PVC pipe to extend the drain away from our foundation. I accessed our attic via the garage and found the air conditioner’s main evaporator unit. The pan underneath the unit was nearly full of water, which I knew was a problem. The source of the drip was a secondary drain pipe connected near the top of the pan and running to the back of our house with an exit just above our back door. I was thankful the builder and air conditioner installer put the secondary drain’s exit in a high-visibility spot so homeowners would know there was a problem.

I’d been wanting to pick up a small, inexpensive wet/dry vac for small garage spills, and fortunately a local home improvement store had one on sale. I picked up a Stinger-Vac (just a mini Shop Vac) for under $30 and returned home to put it to use. Lucky for me, the Stinger’s hose attached perfectly to the 1″ PVC drain pipe and began to immediately suck out water and sludge that had accumulated inside the pipe. As it filled I simply dumped the water in our yard, reattached the vacuum and started it up again. After a few cycles I assumed I had made a dent in the amount of water from the pan and returned to the attic to view my progress. This time I carried a container of household bleach with me. If I had taken this step earlier in the spring I could have probably avoided this near-disaster, but better late than never. I accessed the air conditioner’s drain by removing a PVC cap on the top of drain pipe by hand. If the pipe was properly installed, this cap should only be tightened by hand and can easily be removed and replaced without any tools.