What type of pipe is used for AC drain?
Your air conditioner has a condensate drain line that runs from the indoor unit to the outside of your home. You’ll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends.
Can’t find my AC drain line?
Turn off the power to your HVAC system. This can be done at your breaker and thermostat. If your air handler is indoors, find the condensate pan, usually located under the unit. If there is standing water in the drain pan, you most likely have a clogged condensate line.
What happens if your AC drain is clogged?
When your drain line clogs, the water that your air conditioner produces has nowhere to go. Likewise, sitting water or water vapor around your air conditioning unit could result in further corrosion or rust of metal parts that make contact with the water or are located near it.
What size is my AC drain line?
314.2. Condensate waste and drain line size shall be not less than 3/4-inch (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.
Why are my AC drain pipes clogged?
The majority of clogged AC drain pipes are because of a build up of algae and mold. When the warm air is brought into the unit and it goes across the evaporate coil, this created condensate. Algae can then grow inside the drain piping, which can get very humid and provide the perfect conditions for algae to thrive and grow.
What causes water to build up on drain line?
Other common issues which can clog the drain line are: Standing/flooding water – The evaporator unit removes the moisture and humidity from the air, and this can cause a build up of water around the air handler, which drips into the secondary pan.
What kind of problems can a condensate drain cause?
Several common problems can occur in condensate drains, impairing their proper function. Most commonly, an A/C drain problem will result in mold growth and water damage in the home.
Can a copper drain line be used for an AC unit?
A commercial install may use copper drain lines instead. In the majority of AC installations, your condensate drain line will be located outside the house where your air conditioning unit is located. Once you locate the condensate drain outside of the home, you can then work to fix the clogged pipe.
Why does my air conditioner drain line get clogged?
A bit of bleach can prevent clogs in the AC drain line. In addition to cooling your home, an air conditioner removes moisture from the air to lower the humidity level inside your house. This excess condensed water is removed from the AC unit through a small drain pipe and deposited outside on the ground.
What to do if your drain line is clogged with condensation?
To prevent this from happening, pour a cup of bleach in the access opening in the drain line near the AC unit to kill any algae, mold, or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensation line is clogged, you will need to use a shop vac or special pump to remove the clog from the line. Watch this video to find out more.
Where is the drain line in an AC system?
Every home AC system has a drain line that runs from the condenser coils inside the home to the exterior of the home or another drainage point. Over time, mold and mildew can grow inside the drain line and cause problematic clogs.
Several common problems can occur in condensate drains, impairing their proper function. Most commonly, an A/C drain problem will result in mold growth and water damage in the home.
