Posted: 7/26/2026 6:29:34 PM EDT
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Guys what can I do to clean out and keep out the snot in my AC drain line ? I vacuum the line every 30 days but that stuff builds up and trips the float switch when the water builds up a little bit. TIA |
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If the AC drain line ever gets really bad I flush it out with my garden hose using a threader garden hose nozzle and a rubber drain bladder. Rubber Drain Bladder Threaded garden sprayer |
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Originally Posted By optoisolator: Don't mess with the vinegar - get some AC drain line tablets from Amazon. They work great! I gave up on the vinegar and switched to these and haven't had a problem since. The best thing is they last a long time too. Master HVAC Tech, and I concur. I'd suggest you clean the indoor coil as well. |
Another old guy
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Originally Posted By Gilly: My A/C guy suggested that we use boiling water and avoid bleach and vinegar because the vapors could damage components inside the air handler. I vacuum out the line with my shop vac when it begins to back up. My BIL has owned and ran his own AC business for over 30 years and said the same thing, he was out at my place just this last week servicing my unit and I have corrosion already around my condenser and surrounding metal because of vinegar use. He said NEVER use vinegar or bleach despite what the internet says. Based on the damage I have... I believe my BIL. |
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I do the tablets. The drain line at the attachment point of the drain pan had about a 3” PVC riser with a removable cap. Open it up and can see a bit of moisture at the bottom of the elbow. I made the riser about a foot long, and can load it with 40+ tablets. Saves trips into the attic. |
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Originally Posted By Bowhntr6pt: My BIL has owned and ran his own AC business for over 30 years and said the same thing, he was out at my place just this last week servicing my unit and I have corrosion already around my condenser and surrounding metal because of vinegar use. He said NEVER use vinegar or bleach despite what the internet says. Based on the damage I have... I believe my BIL. How could vinegar or bleach poured into the condensate drain line get into the condenser? One side of that line drips onto the ground, another is downstream of the air handler, and anything has to flow again the water flowing down the line. I fail to see how anything could possibly get to your condensor, which has a closed loop of refrigerant going to it, not the drain line. Like Dalton, options vary. Realistically any of vinegar/bleach/hot water/biocide tablets should work fine. The tablets are the easiest - no mixing, no funnel, no drips. Vinegar would be my next choice. Some say bleach damages PVC pipes, others say not at the amounts and concentrations used. Personally I’d be more concerned about boiling water going into the line and damaging it, or causing a leak at some connection. Also if you float switch is downstream of the access port, be aware that any chemical or boiling water is going past that, possibly with negative consequences. Hence my use of the tablets. Also, take a look at at where the line exits to the ground. These are often way too close to the house, and the constant drip gets the ground soaked next to your house. Try getting the water away from the house, via extension pipe, or a gutter splash tray. |
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Originally Posted By 1stID: How could vinegar or bleach poured into the condensate drain line get into the condenser? One side of that line drips onto the ground, another is downstream of the air handler, and anything has to flow again the water flowing down the line. I fail to see how anything could possibly get to your condensor, which has a closed loop of refrigerant going to it, not the drain line. According to my BIL... fumes make their way backwards into the area where the drip pan and outlet are. It's the condenser housing that has corrosion. Believe me... I would be thinking "no way" but when he opened the unit and we saw the corrosion he said STOP pouring vinegar solution down the drain. I suppose a weak solution and a thorough flush might make a difference but I'm pretty sure I was told, and used, a 50/50 mix with minimal flush afterwards. He also said don't use the UV lights some people use to combat mold inside the unit as not all the wiring has UV rated coating. Just passing on what I've been told... all I know is I've got a fucked up condenser housing that's probably going to shot the bed in a few years if not sooner. My system is in a climate controlled room and I can't think of anything that would have caused the corrosion... system was installed about four years ago new. |
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Vacuum on the exterior drain line, compressed air down into the line, do this simultaneously. This gets the goo out. Next, dump hot water/vinegar down the line. This also helps get the goo out. Lastly, check the pitch of your drain line, poorly pitched drain lines can exacerbate the problem you’re having. If you’ve got a loooong drain line and it’s improperly supported you’ll see a bow in the line (if you’re in a stick frame house with crawl space). |
You see that head come apart?
