Preventative Maintenance: Clogged Drain Lines

We have talked about keeping your filter’s clean, as well as hiring an A/C Specialist to keep the inner workings running smoothly. If you missed those blogs check them out here.

Is there more I can do to help maintain my A/C System in between appointments?

Yes, you can clean your condensate drain line. Many repair calls we receive have been as a result of a clogged drain line. This can be prevented. You may have been told to pour either bleach or vinegar down your drain to keep your A/C system running smoothly. So what does that mean? Also, which is better, bleach or vinegar? Now, if you are like me, you could use a guide or a How-To for this, so here it is.

Supplies Needed: 1 Cup Vinegar OR *1 Cup Bleach-Water Mixture (cut 50/50)

Step 1. Turn off your A/C Unit.

Step 2. Locate your drain line. You will see a PVC Pipe attached to your indoor A/C Unit (Handler). Go to where you change your filter and look for the PVC Pipe if you are unsure where it is.

Step 3. Open the drain plug. This will look like a cap or a plug somewhere in the PVC pipe but the location varies.

Step 4. Pour your vinegar OR your 50/50 bleach-water mixture into the opening. Let that sit for 30 minutes before turning your system back on. It is recommended to use White Distilled Vinegar for its increased acidity. *There is a lot of misinformation about not using bleach in your system. The science behind this recommendation is that bleach will react with the PVC glue in cold temperatures and will dissolve the glue. Here in Florida, we rarely have this issue, but it is good to know.

How does this help? What does this do?

The bleach or vinegar works to kill bacteria, mold, and algae that form in the condensate drain line. If treated once a month you can prevent many clog issues and cut down on costly repairs.

Call (941) 300-COOL (2665) with all your A/C Questions and to schedule your maintenance appointment today!

Air Handler with PVC Pipe in Blue Box