Air Conditioning Condensate Drain Line Attic How To Clean

Bleach and window units.

Air conditioning condensate drain line attic how to clean.

Because condensation collects in your air conditioner s drain line it provides the perfect breeding grounds for mold and algae to thrive. Most but not all ac units will have an easy to locate access point to the drain line. That s the line that your air conditioner uses to get rid of all the humidity that it pulls from the air. This will kill any algae mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe.

Usually located near the outdoor compressor and attached to the wall of a house the condensate drain pipe is either inch or inch pvc. Find the condensate drain line and drain line access point. When everything is working properly condensation runs down the drain line and exits outside your house. This debris can include mold and mildew algae bacteria fungus and even small plants.

My husband climbed up into the attic to troubleshoot and quickly determined that we had a clogged condensate drain line. Check the drain line periodically throughout the cooling season to ensure that condensation is being removed properly. There are various ways to clean out an air conditioner condensate drain and two popular methods are pouring white vinegar or bleach down the line to clear clogs. If you re unable to clean your air conditioner s drain line call a local professional.

Look for white pvc pipe around 3 4 inch 1 9 cm in diameter coming out of your ac system s indoor unit. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. Assessing the need to clean a drain a condensate drain that is working properly drips any time that an air conditioner is in use. Look for an upside down or sideways t shape of pvc pipe with a removable cap.

If the condensate drain line is clogged you will need to use a wet dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line. Over time sludge and buildup form in your condensate drain line.