How to clean ac drain

We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can be harmful to your AC system if your drain line has copper tubing. Using vinegar will not damage your system. Spilling bleach can also ruin carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar will just leave a strong odor.

Flush the drain line with distilled white vinegar. Slowly pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain line’s opening and let the solution sit for 30 minutes. Alternatives to vinegar include hot water, peroxide, or bleach.

Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line’s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will eliminate any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line.

Mix 2 tablespoons bleach with 1/2 cup hot water and pour it down the drain pipe leading from the evaporator coil to the condenser pan. Leave the diluted bleach in the condenser pan to continue to eliminate algae and bacteria throughout the season.

You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC’s drain line, you will eliminate any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.

Clogged Drain Line

To flush the line or repair it can cost anywhere from $75-$250. In the case that the evaporator coil needs replacing, you are would pay between $400 to $950.

In theory Drano could unblock a clog but this is designed for food and grease, which you aren’t going to find in your AC drain pipes. So just like you could pop the cap off a bottle of pint using a hammer in just the right way, it’s not the best way to open a bottle of pint or the best use of a hammer.

Even if you use only use Drano once, the potential for bad things to happen to your plumbing system lingers for a long time. Because of its corrosive nature, Drano can cause toilet bowls to break, PVC pipes to melt or break and the glue that holds pipes together can be eaten away.

A Clogged Line Will Freeze Your AC System

As a result, the evaporator coil will eventually turn to ice. The moisture in the drain line can also freeze, which will cause your air conditioner to turn off. But before it does, it’ll likely suffer some damage. That’s why it’s vital to check the drain line every month.

Pour 1 cup (236.5 ml) of bleach into the hole to eliminate the mold and mildew. Measure out 1 cup (236.5 ml) of bleach into a measuring cup with a pouring spout. Pour it into the access hole and let it drain out the other side. Use a funnel to help you get all the bleach into the drain line if it is easier.

If it is clogged or a blockage is starting to build up, flush the pipe with distilled vinegar. You do that by pouring a 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar through the AC condensate drain line. We recommend distilled vinegar because its acidity clears the clog faster.

While bleach is a great way to clean and disinfect, it does not dissolve things like hair. However, bleach does remedy algae growth on the inside and outside of PVC pipes. You can pour bleach down the drain to without worrying about the safety of your PVC pipes.

White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.

Using Bleach in Your AC Drain

Simply open up the drain line clean out or T on your inside unit and pour a 50/50 warm water and bleach mixture OR warm water and vinegar solution through the line. Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year.