Why Your AC Makes Water
Your AC doesn't just cool the air. It pulls moisture out of it. Our Ohio River Valley humidity means your system works overtime as a dehumidifier. On a hot July day, your AC can pull gallons of water out of your house. That water drops into a pan and flows outside through a white PVC pipe. That is your condensate drain line.
How the Drain Clogs
That drain line is dark, wet, and cool. It is the perfect place for algae and mold to grow. Dust from the air also mixes with the water. Over time, it forms a thick sludge. The sludge blocks the pipe. The water backs up, overflows the pan, and leaks all over your basement floor. We see this constantly in older homes in Mt. Washington where the drain runs a long distance.
The Shop Vac Trick
You can often fix this yourself. Go outside and find where the white PVC pipe drains. Hook up a wet/dry shop vac to the end of the pipe. Use your hand or a rag to seal the gap between the vacuum hose and the pipe. Turn the vacuum on for three minutes. You will hear the sludge get sucked out.
Preventing Future Clogs
Once the line is clear, you want to keep it clear. Find the access tee on the white PVC pipe near your indoor unit. Pour a quarter cup of plain white vinegar down the pipe every three months. The vinegar kills the algae. Do not use bleach. Bleach destroys the PVC glue and will cause the pipe to fall apart.
When to Call for Help
If the shop vac trick doesn't work, the clog is packed too tight or the pipe is broken. Give us a ring. Our $89 diagnostic fee covers the trip to inspect the drain and the pan. If the pan is cracked, we will tell you. Our Repairs First policy ensures we don't try to sell you a new air conditioner just because you have a clogged plastic pipe.