Uh oh. Your air conditioning system has stopped working. And you live in Florida. Before you go into an all-out panic, listen here. One of the most common reasons air conditioning system falter is due to a clog in the drain line.
When working properly, the drain line helps remove condensation that builds up within your air conditioner. The drain line carries the moisture to the outside of your home, which you’ve probably noticed produces a small trickle via a PVC pipe to the outside of your home. However, over time, the drain line can become clogged and cause water to back up into your system and cause it to stop work — no bueno.
Fortunately, drain line clogs are nothing to fear. With a little HVAC know-how, you can unclog blockage big and small and get your AC running again. Here’s where to start.
Not sure if your AC drain line is clogged? Learn how to tell if your drain line is clogged and how to clean your AC drain line.
How to Remove a Small Clog From Your AC Drain Pipe
No two drain line clogs are the same. A small clog will be easier to remove than a large clog, but it can be difficult to know what kind of clog you have on your hands. For that reason, we’re detailing two methods for unclogging your AC drain line — one for small clogs and one for large.
Step 1. Turn off your HVAC system.
Step 2. Find the cleaning port. After turning off your HVAC system, locate the cleaning port so you can begin to unclog the drain line. For this step, you may want a bucket to help collect the condensation resting in the drain pan.
Step 3. Remove the cleaning port cap.
Step 4. Assess the clog. Take a look at the AC drain pipe and see if you can see the blockage. If you can see the blockage, you can attempt to manually remove it with your hands (wearing protective gloves) or by using a drainage snake. Be sure not to push the blockage further down the drain pipe.
Step 5. Pour a gentle cleaning solution down the drain line. Using a gentle cleaning solution of warm water and soap or warm water and vinegar, carefully pour the solution into the drain pipe, stopping once it’s full.
Step 6. Assess the clog again. After pouring the cleaning solution in the drain pipe, assess the clog again. If the cleaning solution doesn’t flow from the drain line, the clog is still there. This may mean the clog is too large for this method.
Step 7. Return the cleaning port cap.
Step 8. Turn your HVAC system back on.
How to Remove a Large Clog From Your AC Drain Pipe
If you’ve got a bigger clog on your hands, don’t fret. Follow this easy six-step method.
Step 1. Turn off your HVAC system.
Step 2. Find the cleaning port. After turning off your HVAC system, locate the cleaning port so you can begin to unclog the drain line. For this step, you may want a bucket to help collect the condensation resting in the drain pan.
Step 3. Remove the cleaning port cap.
Step 4. Pour a gentle cleaning solution down the drain line. Using a gentle cleaning solution of warm water and soap or warm water and vinegar, carefully pour the solution into the drain pipe, stopping once it’s full. Repeat this process three times.
Step 5. Return the cleaning port cap.
Step 6. Turn your HVAC system back on.
Contact Sansone for AC Service
If you’d rather leave AC repairs to the professionals, Sansone is here to help. South Florida home and business owners can always rely on us to provide fast and efficient repairs. Don’t spend another minute uncomfortable in your own home. Contact us today or conveniently schedule an appointment online to get started.
Broward: (954) 800-2858
Palm Beach: (561) 701-8274
St. Lucie: (772) 879-5656