A clogged AC drain pipe, also known as the condensate drain line of your air conditioning unit, is often a headache during sizzling summers. It not only hinders the cooling capacity of the AC but also reduces its lifespan significantly.
Moreover, if undetected, a clogged AC drain pipe can cause your AC to freeze due to the internal accumulation of moisture. Hence, it’s advisable that you don’t ignore any abnormalities in your AC cooling functioning, should you notice any.
Even though a clogged drain pipe sounds like a concerning issue, which it is, you do not need to call for a technician to unclog your AC drain line. Unclogging your condensate drain line is very easy, and you could do it with a shop VAC!
Curious?
Here’s how you can unclog your AC drain line with a shop VAC.
Can you Use a Shop VAC to Clean an AC Drain?
Yes, you can certainly use a shop VAC to clean an AC drain. A shop VAC will efficiently get rid of all the dirt and debris deposited in the drain line and is easy to use as well.
However, apart from a shop VAC, you’ll also need a few other cleaning tools to cleanse the drain line. These include:
- A strong but thin wire brush
- Rubber gloves
- Duct tape
- Bleach
How To Unclog AC Drain Line With Shop Vac
Once you have all the above-mentioned cleaning tools ready, you can get started with the unclogging process. To do so follow the step-by-step guide listed below:
Step 1: Turn the HVAC System Off
First, turn off your air conditioner at the thermostat to prevent it from switching ON while you’re working on the clog. Additionally, turn it OFF at the breaker box as well.
This will help protect the system from any surprise damage due to any unforeseen mistake during the cleaning process.
Step 2: Look for the AC Drain Line
Once you have turned OFF the air conditioner from the breaker box, try to locate its drain line. It is generally connected to your system’s drain pan and is laid outside your home to facilitate the flow of moisture from the system.
Step 3: Check for any Clog or Blockage in the Drain Line
After you have located the AC drain line, look for any clog or blockage at the end of the drain pipe.
If the drainpipe is fixed at ground level, there’s a probability that the clog is due to the growth of algae and mold. However, if it’s above the ground level, it must be due to the accumulation of pollutants and debris in the drain pan.
Nevertheless, irrespective of the pipe level, the clog usually forms at the end of the drain line. So, a glance at the end of the pipe will give you a good idea about the cause of the clog.
Step 4: Connect the Shop VAC to the Drain Line
This is where the real unclogging process begins. Take your shop VAC hose and connect it to the end of the AC drain line pipe.
Thereafter, seal the shop VAC hose to the pipe with duct tape. And if possible, tie a cloth towel over the duct tape wrapping to firm the seal.
Subsequently, turn ON the vacuum on high for about a minute or so to clear the clog.
Once you have turned the vacuum OFF, check if the clog has been cleared. If it hasn’t, seal the pipe and the vacuum hose with the duct tape again and repeat the process.
Step 5: Clean the AC Drain Line
To test whether the clog has been cleared from the AC drain line or not, try pouring a bit of water through the internal access hole. If the water starts to flow freely, then the clog has been cleared.
If the clog is due to the overgrowth of algae or mold, you’ll need to clean the AC drain line with bleach to prevent any remnants of the clog. However, this step is to be done after vacuuming the pipe with a shop VAC for at least a minute.
After you have vacuumed the pipe, wear your gloves, pour/sprinkle the bleach over the AC drain line along with water and wait for about 30 minutes. Additionally, make sure that you follow all the safety instructions when working with bleach.
Subsequently, while you wait, poke the thin brush through the vent tee and clean out any dirt or dust in it.
When the 30 minutes end, pour water upon the drainpipe to clear the bleach coating. Thereafter, turn the AC ON and check if it’s leaking or not.
If it’s still leaking despite clearing the drain line, then the problem lies with the coils. It means that the evaporated coils have gathered too much dirt, thereby blocking the flow of moisture from the system to the drain pan and to the AC drain line.
If such is the case, you would need to clean the coils and filters to fix the issue. However, if you don’t know how to work your way with the HVAC or the AC outer cabin to clean the coils, it would be wise to call a technician for help.
How Long Should you Use a Shop VAC to Clear the Clog?
Turning the shop VAC for about 50 to 60 seconds on a high setting should be enough to clear the clog. However, if the clog still hasn’t been cleared, vacuum OFF and ON every 5 to 10 seconds.
Moreover, make sure to remove the filter of the vacuum before you use it to remove the wet clog from the drainpipe. This will prevent the filter from any possible damage during the unclogging process.
Why has the AC Drain Line been Clogged?
The most common cause of a clogged AC drain line is a large build-up of pollutants over time. Whenever the air conditioning unit pulls in air from its surroundings, it also sucks in pollutants present in the atmosphere. This includes dander, pollen, dirt, dust, etc.
It’s also important to note that since the drain line is responsible for the flow of moisture from the system, the area around it is usually damp.
And damp conditions near the drain line often result in mold and algae growth within the drain pan or HVAC unit, which can be another reason behind a clogged line.
How to Know when your AC Drain Line has Clogged?
Any abnormality within your HVAC system is often accompanied by certain symptoms which tell you that there’s something wrong with the unit. A clogged drain acts as a trojan horse to your AC unit and, at times, causes it to malfunction.
At times, HVAC systems don’t even work despite turning them ON. However, it’s not the case for every air conditioner. Depending on the model and brand, each air conditioning unit behaves differently when its drain line gets clogged.
For instance, many AC units have an in-built float switch in the drain pan. This float switch acts as a defensive mechanism for the HVAC system to prevent further damage due to the clogged drain line.
The level of the float continues to rise as more and more water accumulates in the drain pan. And, when the level reaches a certain point, the float switch signals the AC system to stop running.
Apart from the working issue, your AC cooling efficiency can also decrease if the drain line has clogged. Hence, make sure that you look for the below-stated signs if you notice your AC unit is not working well.
- Water leakage, damage, or damp surrounding near the indoor HVAC system.
- The water is being accumulated instead of flowing out through the drain pan.
- Your AC system or its vents are emitting a musty or moldy odor
- The air conditioning is not cooling despite turning it ON
Other Ways to Prevent Clogging of your Air Conditioning System
A clogged condensate drain line can be quite a hassle. It affects the cooling capacity of your air conditioner and can be pretty expensive to repair if not detected.
In the worst-case scenario, you might need to replace your air conditioner altogether, if the AC condensate drain line remains clogged for a long time. To help avoid this, below are a few tips that can help to prevent future clogs in your air conditioning system’s drain line:
1. Regularly Clean the Air Filters
Dust and debris accumulation is one the most common reasons behind clogged AC drain lines. Cleaning your air filters regularly will prevent dust build-up on evaporator coils and help your AC function at its optimum capacity.
2. Flush the AC Drain Lines Frequently
Flushing the AC drain lines with warm water is an effective way to keep clogged condensate drain lines at bay. You can also use a mild solution of bleach and water to keep the drain line clear of mold and algae.
3. Use a Condensate Trap
Using a condensate trap is a smart way to keep the pollutants from entering the drain line of the HVAC unit.
The condensate trap blocks any dust particles from entering the indoor air handler and the AC condensate drain line to prevent it from clogging.
Should you Use Corrosive Agents to Clear the Clog in your AC Drain?
No, you shouldn’t use any kind of corrosive agent to clear the clog in the AC drain as they prove detrimental to metals. Corrosive agents in the vent tee especially can damage the evaporator coil since they are made of copper or aluminum.
Hence, when exposed to agents like white distilled vinegar, the drainpipe gets filled with corroded particles.
In other words, you would be further adding to the clog in the drain line rather than removing it. However, you can use bleach to clean the outer area of the drainpipe but ensure that it doesn’t flow inside the vent tee.
How to Clear AC Drain Line FAQs
How do I Unclog my AC Drain Line without a Shop VAC?
If you don’t have a shop VAC or the clog isn’t cleared by the vacuum, you can use a drain snake. Push the snake from the drain line access beside the air handler to clean it. However, make sure that you do it mindfully to not damage the evaporator coils.
How do you Clean Sludge Out of an AC Drain Line Pipe?
Dip a thin brush in a bleach solution to clean sludge out of an AC drain line pipe. Do not pour bleach into your drain line directly, as it can damage the evaporator coils.
Can I use Drano for my Clogged AC Drain Line?
No, you cannot use Drano for your clogged condensate drain line as it’s designed for food and grease stains.
How do I Unclog my AC Drain Line without a Vacuum?
If you don’t have a vacuum, use a drain snake to unclog your AC drain line. You can push the snake through the drain line access near the indoor air handler to unclog the AC drain.
Summing up
If any of the above steps don’t help fix the malfunctioning of your AC unit or clear the clog, you might need to call for technical help as the cause could be internal, for instance, damage to evaporator coils which can also cause clog pores.
Hence, it’s essential that you sign up for a regular servicing of your HVAC to prevent any technical irregularities in the future. Regular maintenance will not save your air conditioner from future clogs but also extend its lifespan considerably.