Is It Better To Clean With Bleach Or Vinegar In Heating And Ac Drain Line

bleach in ac drain line

A clogged condensate drain line is a mutual A/C result in the summertime. As both temperatures and humidity levels rise, contaminants like dust, pollen and other types of debris can block up your A/C bleed line, causing water to flow dorsum into your unit of measurement's overflow pan. Aside from the risk of h2o damage to your dwelling and system, bleed line clogs forestall your unit from working effectively. While homeowners can oft bosom clogs themselves, in that location are a few things to know before pouring bleach in AC drain line. Read on to acquire the cons of using bleach and what you tin do instead.

How To Tell if Your Condensate Bleed Line is Chock-full

Homeowners with a blocked upwards condensate drain line might discover the post-obit:

Loss of cooling efficiency.
Indoor air feels humid or "damp."
The HVAC unit'south overflow pan is filled upwardly and/or leaking.

Should I Use Bleach in AC Bleed Line?

While information technology's oft recommended that homeowners employ a bleach solution to flush out a clogged bleed line, this could be detrimental. Bleach contains chemicals that corrode metallic. As the bleed line access point is shut to your unit's evaporator gyre, any spillage or backflow can cause your evaporator coil to corrode. Furthermore, if your drain line uses copper piping instead of PVC piping, bleach will corrode the copper also. Cleaning out a unit'southward condensate drain line is a maintenance task that should be performed often. If you accept copper piping and utilise bleach repeatedly, your drain line will eventually need to exist replaced.

How to Clean an A/C Condensate Bleed Line

Luckily, at that place are several methods y'all can try in lieu of using bleach. Let's take a look:

Flush the Drain Line: if you lot are merely performing routine maintenance and there is no clog present, flushing the drain line with warm water (using a funnel) can assistance clear out whatever existing debris.
Use a Wet/Dry Vac: ensure the unit is turned off and utilise a wet/dry out vac at the drain line'south get out bespeak to suck out any clogs and debris.
Use a Vinegar Solution: if you lot're dealing with a stubborn clog that needs some aid, try a solution of 1 loving cup warm h2o and one cup white vinegar. Use a funnel to cascade the solution into your drain line'south access indicate, and then wait xxx minutes before flushing with warm, clean water. Vinegar volition assist kill off whatever leaner or mold growth that might be clogging upwardly your A/C bleed line.

Work With an HVAC Pro

If you're gear up to skip the troubleshooting, call an HVAC pro! Solution Based Plumbing, Heating, and A/C prides itself on peak quality workmanship and personalized client care. We offer services including diagnosis, installations and maintenance. If you live in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware or Chester County, contact us at 215-584-2098 for all your plumbing, heating and air-conditioning needs!