Water, Water, Everywhere: How to Clean Your AC Drain Line
As your air conditioning unit cools the air inside your property, it removes water vapour via the process of condensation. Normally this water is removed from the unit and transported to the outside of your property by a drain line. A blocked drain line can cause water damage to your home or can cause your air conditioning unit to stop working. For this reason it is important to keep your drain line clear.
If your air conditioning unit is leaking water into your home, one possible cause is a blocked drain line. Consider the information and steps to unblock your drain line below, which will stop water dripping and increase the performance of your air conditioning unit.
The Causes of Blocked Drain Lines
Because drain lines are dark and moist, they provide the perfect place for algae to grow. If left unchecked this algae can completely block your drain line, causing water to back up into your air conditioning system. Also, if you do not replace your air filter for a long time, dust and dirt will be able to enter your air conditioning unit, causing the drain line to become blocked.
Cleaning the Drain Pipe
Before beginning work you should turn off the power to your AC unit. Check the drain pan and drain any water that has collected in it. Then locate the drain cleaning port on your AC unit by referring to the manufacturers instructions. You should use a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar to flush the drain line. If the line fills with water and slowly drains you should repeatedly flush the line until water flows freely. You should always flush from the unit to the outside, as flushing the line from the outside can drive debris into your AC unit which can cause further damage.
How to Prevent Future Blockages
By carrying out some basic regular maintenance of your AC unit, you can help to prevent blockages to the drain line. On a regular basis, you should check the air filter and replace it if needed to help prevent dust and debris from entering your AC unit. You should also flush your drain line with the white vinegar solution on a regular basis, as this will help to prevent and remove the build up of algae and debris within the line, keeping it in perfect working order.
If you have continued problems with a leaky air conditioning unit, it may be time to call in a professional air conditioning maintenance service.
Share