I would like to first say I know absolutely minimal about AC repairs beside from the massive research I've been doing online to help so if anyone here can give me some advice on what to do I would really appreciate it.
For the past week my AC secondary line as been dripping outside my front door as well as it has gotten so bad to the point where the ceiling is dripping water. From what I've read it is there to tell me that there is a clogged on the main line. So after people recommending getting a Shop vac, Wet/Dry Vac I got one that had pretty strong suctions ( 5HP). I ran the vac on my main line end and to my surprised I got about a gallon of dirty water with brown stuff floating in it. At this point I decided to run the vac on the secondary line to, to at least drain it out. At first I thought it was fixed but then about 12 hours later the secondary line is dripping again. I repeat the process about 3 times already this week with the same result each time but it keeps dripping out the secondary line and worse if I leave it unattended for more then about 15 hours the ceiling would drip again.
My last resort I want is to go in the attic with a hose and try to flush the main line out but considering my size and height I'm afraid that this old house can't take my weight ( mostly the ladder leading to the attic; I had to bring a metal step ladder in the house just to get a visual in the attic) as well as dragging the hose from the backyard to my attic is a real hassle.
So does anyone know what I should do at this point or any advice on how I can finally get this problem fixed. Thanks in advance!

 

can you tell if the coil is freezing up?

 

You should be cleaning your coil and drip tray once a year or so. If you don't do that then crud collects in the drip tray and clogging becomes a continuous issue. A small wet/dry vac, a soft brush and some water is what you will need.

 

@airman.1994 I don't think they are but I am not too sure; I've never open up the unit inside the house in the attic.
@Bob Sanders Do you mean the Coils on the outside Unit that is near the main exit drain? It's been about a couple of years ago since I cleaned that but i was never told that I should do it regularly or that it could cause a blockage if not cleaned.

 

Can you post a picture of the drain connection at the air handler ? http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html

It is not always easy to access the cooling coil or the interior drain pan. The usual source of the drain blockage is right where the drain line connects to the pan.

 

@ PJmax If I have time today to try and flush the main line with water I'll get a picture. Though if I remember correctly I think it is sticking out from the Ac unit going down into the house and exits to the backyard Although I am not entirely sure. It's been years since I went back up the attic to look at the AC unit.

 

There will be two drain connections on the air handler. One is just slightly higher than the other one. That is the overflow or secondary drain.

Normally when an air handler is in a place where if it leaked it coud cause damage, like in your case, it should have a metal drain pan below the air handler that safely carries the water if the main drain clogs. Technically your secondary drain should drain into this pan and this pan should drain outside. I'm imagining you won't find an aux drain pan and the one inside the unit is overflowing.

You may be able to remove a side access cover or you may have to actually cut the PVC drain to clear it out.

Hopefully you've been routinely changing the air filter.

I can sympathize with you on the air handler in the attic and crappy attic pulldown stairs.

 

Both coils should be cleaned regularly, but the one I'm talking about in particular is the indoor coil and drip tray.

Have you ever seen pond scum floating on top of swamp water? That's what your drip tray looks like after a Summer of heavy air conditioning. That scum plugs up the drain, and it's not enough just to unplug the drain with a vac, because until you get all the scum out it'll just keep plugging. The other problem is back pressure. If you're running a dirty filter or coil (more so the filter) you could cause enough of a vacuum in the airhandler to stop the water from properly draining.

 

@ PJmax I was able to get up and look around in the attic but had no luck in trying to open the main drain line to flush it out as well as it was getting dark so i didn't have the time to figure out a way how to so I just vac the main line again. Also I change my air filter about every other month since I have pets at home. The house is pretty old and it's hard to try to keep it all together from falling apart.

@Bob Sanders Yeah I saw the secondary drain pan and it was like what you said; Got a bucket with water and some towels to cleaned it off. I don't know how to access the indoor coils so I may have to do more research about it but it may be hard due to the limited space I have in the attic.

 

I can see you have a mess on your hands.

I see what looks like a black poly line. Is that the drain ?
That's going to be tough to work on.

Look for screws in the long side of the air handler. There may be four holding the side panel on.

 

put your foot on the rafter your scaring me! Is that romex going into the coil? I hate to say it but this may not be a DIY project.

 

Airman is correct. When doing any work in the attic, you should only put your weight on the rafters, never on the "ceiling" (material between the rafters). If you have extended work in the attic (you probably do), set a piece of plywood over the rafters to stand/sit on. It makes it a lot more comfortable and less chance of falling through the ceiling.

 

@airman.1994 & Bob14525 don't worry my foot was on the rafters just the picture makes it look like I wasn't. I'm not sure if the romex is going into the coil.