hey guys I have my main A/C drain pipe clog from time to time

the A/C pipe leads outside and I snake it to clear it out...no prob

but is there something I can do to it say monthly, like pour something it it to keep it from getting clogged

the pipe is PVC and it about 25' long

the pipe is about 1/2 in inner diameter and when it backs up it starts dripping into my pantry and creates a mess

I was told 1/2 and 1/2 bleach and water in a 1 cup mixture would work wonders

but will bleach hurt the PVC?

 

We always used a bleach mix in the condensate lines, worked good, is the line pitched some to help the drain process.
Geo

 

After you run the 50-50 mixture thru the drain..... you can flush with additional water after that.
The bleach will not harm the PVC. Normally a once a season cleaning is sufficient unless the pitch is incorrect and the water is not running fast enough.

 

Here in the Devils waiting room, Florida. Part of the maintenance of my AC system is vacuuming out the AC drain pipe a few times a year.



Does not seem to cause some people any issues, but mine will plug if not done. My air handler is in a labyrinth of trusses in the attic, so vacuuming is the easy option.



Now believe it or not and I wish I would have thought of it, I could be one of those Ebay millionaires. They sell a special attachment for a shop vac to vacuum condensate lines!!




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyvP...layer_embedded

 

Unfortunately..... if greater care was used when the drain line was run..... there would be fewer issues.

A typical problem for any system is the build up of sludge and algae right at the unit. Can't be helped. Dust washes off the coil. Grease in the air washes off. Algae likes to live in there. Combines to make a mess.

There are two drain line connections on every air handler. One slightly above the other. The lower one is the primary drain. The higher one is the secondary or overflow drain. If water comes out the upper one.... the primary drain is clogged. I set my units up with a short piece of vertical pipe with a cap on the secondary line. That's where I pour in the bleach and water to flush the primary drain. Don't try this with the air handler running and not with a clogged primary drain either. This mixture will actually flow into the unit and come out the primary drain.

 

It is not only drain lines that are put in 1/2 arsed but entire systems.

I paid to have this house inspected before I bought it and the HVAC system is a mess. Not knowing anything about HVAC and experiencing some issues, then looking at the ducting I realized it was very poorly designed and installed.

 

That is unfortunate and I hear that way too often.

 

Till I got to Florida HVAC was never an issue.

Now that I have to deal with it I am shocked at the people out there who bill as professionals but do not have a clue what they are doing. Drive by estimates, smash and grab installers.

Always learning something new, did not click that a properly designed condensate line might not require constant vigilance.

I just installed 2 condensate lines for my mini's about 15 feet horizontal. I put about 1/4" pitch per foot, well supported so it will not sag, Hopefully that is sufficient. Checked the old central air drain line and it is about 12 feet, flat across the trusses. Well duh

 

HVAC contractors in FL. march to a different beat ,that is for sure, I am Snowbird and they amaze me.
Geo