Your AC system has a condensate drain that is critical to its performance. This drain removes water that is produced when the evaporator coil removes humidity from the air. When it functions as it should, water goes into the condensate drain and is safely conveyed away. If it gets clogged, water backs up and can cause all sorts of problems.
Why Should I Clean the Condensate Drain?
Condensate drains are wet, warm, and dark. They provide ideal environments for algae to grow. Eventually, the algae can increase enough to clog the condensate drain.
If the condensate drain is clogged, water will back up into the AC system. The water will then flow out of the system, which can cause damage to your home and the AC unit itself.
As part of our HVAC spec check maintenance service in Gonzales, TX, and the surrounding areas our team at GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating cleans condensate drains by blowing them out. We recommend having preventative maintenance performed on your AC system twice each year. This precaution can help keep your system running efficiently, avoid serious repairs, and prolongs the life of your equipment. Between these maintenance visits, however, we recommend cleaning your condensate drain once a month.
How Do I Clean My Condensate Drain?
To clean the condensate drain, start by turning off your AC system and thermostat and switching off the breaker. Next, locate the condensate drain, which is a PVC pipe near the air handler, usually in the attic, utility closet or garage. The drain is usually a white, gray or black 3/4 inch PVC pipe with a cap on it, extending in an “L” shape from the bottom of the air handler. It may be wrapped in insulation
Remove the cap and flush the pipe with a quarter cup of distilled vinegar to one gallon of warm or hot water.Replace the cap and wait 30 minutes to an hour before restating your system. To keep clogs from forming, you should flush the condensate drain with a solution every month.
The team at GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating repairs, sells, installs, and maintains HVAC System. We can also help you with our indoor air quality and ductwork services. Get in touch with us today to find out more or to schedule an appointment.
