HELP!! A/C lines clogged

[Texas Immigrant]

Our A/C lines are clogged and we don't really want to have to pay a service fee to get them unclogged. Anyone have any ideas on what we can do?

Thanks!

[xzochye]

Our A/C lines are clogged and we don't really want to have to pay a service fee to get them unclogged. Anyone have any ideas on what we can do?

Thanks!

Are you talking about the drainage pipe?

[Texas Immigrant]

Yes

[xzochye]

Oh man I have had lots of experience with this!!! First get a long skinny stick ( I used an old fishing pole) and would stick it in the drainage pipe on the outside and it would pull a lot of gunk out. I did have to repeat it several times. Then pour bleach down the drainage pipe from the inside. If this doesn't work get a thin hollow tube and stick it in the end of a wet vac and suck the gunk out from the outside.

I had to do this once or twice every summer.

[sojourner truth]

Use a shop vac. Regular maintenance using a shop vac to suck the algae buildup from outside the house every 3 to 4 months will help keep this from happening. The AC guys have chlorine tabs that you can put inside the water sump drainage pipes that will kill the algae over extended periods of time. I usually either shop vac it clean from the outside, or use the blower function from inside to blow it out. What comes out is pretty gross, but it's better than trying to clean up all the water all over the inside of the house.

[CenTexDave]

Both what xzochye and ST said works. But be careful if you use the stick method that you aren't pushing the blockage further back inside. Critters love to build nests in there during the winter when the condensation does not form and drain.
ST references sump drainage. Not all systems have that.
An air compressor will blow it out from the inside pipes. Just loosen the pipe where it comes from the drain pan, let the pressure build up in the compressor to about 80psi and fire away!!!
And chlorine or bleach dumped down that drain pipe will help.
Once all this is done and it is discharging, give a good yank on the end of the drain pipe (outside). Sometimes they get shoved in a bit from hitting it with a lawnmower, etc.

[Texas Immigrant]

Thank you all, I don't know if this matters or not, but they are heat pump/AC units. We're borrowing an air compressor from a friend so we'll try that first. I will definitely do the bleach/water thing. We'll just have to remember to do that when we change the filters.

[CenTexDave]

No, doesn't matter at all. Same type of setup outside.

[Rick]

Nope. We have a heat pump and ours clogged the second year we lived here. I used an air compressor to blow it out and haven't had a problem since. My guess is the loose insulation caused it to clog. Luckily, we have an additional drain on our patio ceiling, so if it clogs, that drain leaks on my wife where she sits and smokes...lol

I hope you get it unclogged.

[CenTexDave]

Not everyone has their AC/furnace upstairs Rick. lol

[Texas Immigrant]

Thanks everyone. We tried to do it on our own, then called a friend that does A/C repairs. He came over and helped us out! I will definitely be doing the bleach/water thing from now on!

[JoAnn Purser]

Depending on your a/c model you may be able to pour a cup of bleach from inside the house to keep critters from using the pipe for refuge. A good rule of thumb in maintenance is when you change your filter pour a cup of bleach. My method is when I write the check/pay online for our electric bill, I change the filter to save money on energy consumption.

[mac]

we change our filter every time reliant sends us one and i think that's either quarterly or semi annually......but are all you all sure about this business of pouring bleach down the line.....my line is some kind or grade of pvc.....we also blow the line out when we change filters.........i have to wonder about that bleach business......mac


Depending on your a/c model you may be able to pour a cup of bleach from inside the house to keep critters from using the pipe for refuge. A good rule of thumb in maintenance is when you change your filter pour a cup of bleach. My method is when I write the check/pay online for our electric bill, I change the filter to save money on energy consumption.

[xzochye]

Yep. You pour bleach down it to keep the mildew, algae, bacteria, clogs ect under control. Mine are PVC too. When I had my new ac installed in march the guy even showed me where to pour it since it was a bit different than my last unit.

[ClickaNerd]

Our A/C lines are clogged and we don't really want to have to pay a service fee to get them unclogged. Anyone have any ideas on what we can do?

Thanks!

Your going to laugh, but this works excellent.

Clean the plastic drain pipe at the AC inside with alcohol by wiping it clean.

Put your lips over it and blow hard.

It will blow everything outside and look like dragon snot.

Then use a small funnel and dump bleach in the tube and it let run for 10 min.

Then use a high pressure nozzle on a garden hose and stick it in top of pipe and run water through it for 5 minutes.

It will be spotless like new.

[CenTexDave]

Thanks, but everything you mentioned except "Put you lips over it and......". I have an air compressor and let it blow it out 4 times or so a year.

[Ludwig]

Please, don't put your lips on that drain. Ever hear of Legionnaire's Disease? On second thought, Corgi, go ahead. :) :)

[sojourner truth]

The tablets the pros use do the same thing and aren't harmful to the PVC like bleach can be. Too much bleach makes PVC brittle. Plus, the tablets keep a constant supply of chemical going to the drain istead of a huge dose periodically. CAN was right about it looking like dragons snot. Remember to blow, not suck.

[cnjbond]

The tablets the pros use do the same thing and aren't harmful to the PVC like bleach can be. Too much bleach makes PVC brittle. Plus, the tablets keep a constant supply of chemical going to the drain istead of a huge dose periodically. CAN was right about it looking like dragons snot. Remember to blow, not suck.

Then why do they call it a....ah never mind. :O)

[Ludwig]

Yep, a blow job.