Clear AC drain line

[WriteON]

AC shut off twice in the past month by float switch. I put bleach... have used vinegar. Vacuumed from outside. Can't call for service right now. I think a shot of compressed air would be best but I do not have any. How do you service yours? Thanks.

 

[Gary Beasley]

Have you tried a water hose from outside? You will need someone to watch inside while you do this.

 

[jokker78]

Bleach works good to eat the slime

 

[jokker78]

Make sure you flush it out. The bleach killed the growth, but it will clog again as it comes loose.
Pour hot water after the bleach has sit

 

[TonyL]

Maybe the float switch is bad?

 

[WriteON]

Maybe the float switch is bad?

Hey Tony. Float is ok...water is present in pipe when float is removed. Good point. I had a defective float on a split until.

 

[WriteON]

I did vacuum from outside. Line is ok for now. Getting a drip. Everything is ok. Just looking to clear it more. We have it serviced 2x yearly. Last year the service tech blew it out with air...it blew some junk out. I'm up and running. Poured about 6oz of bleach...followed by 3 large cups of water. I'm going to try the compressed air route. Wish me luck. Thanks for the replies.

 

[donstephan]

Bit of cloth at end of electrician's "snake" or small diameter long hose to push obstructions out? Our HVAC tech carries "Stinger" brand small vac because it is so portable and the hose fits the discharge on furnaces. I bought one last year when we had problems.

 

[Charlie_W]

If your shop vac has an exit port where you can attach your hose, that will let you blow it out.
Do you have a gravity drain or a tank/pump drain system?

 

[WriteON]

If your shop vac has an exit port where you can attach your hose, that will let you blow it out.
Do you have a gravity drain or a tank/pump drain system?

Gravity. Into the ground under the slab to the exterior. I will try make a fitting and blow outward. Thanks.

 

[Charlie_W]

Gravity. Into the ground under the slab to the exterior. I will try make a fitting and blow outward. Thanks.

If there is a trap in the line, it is most likely sludge in the trap. You can try a piece of small plastic tubing to try to break it loose. Then add water and blow out, repeat. This should help.

 

[pshrynk]

Sorry I can't be of help here. My idea of DIY AC repair is that I pick up the phone and call the repair guy instead of my wife.

 

[WriteON]

Sorry I can't be of help here. My idea of DIY AC repair is that I pick up the phone and call the repair guy instead of my wife.

Yep...who ya gonna call

 

[Gary Beasley]

Yep...who ya gonna call

Drain Busters!

 

[Curly]

Doesn't anyone have a bicycle pump anymore? A couple quick pumps should loosen the plugged bit enough to drain.

 

[dogcatcher]

Doesn't anyone have a bicycle pump anymore? A couple quick pumps should loosen the plugged bit enough to drain.

A bicycle pump, a big Gatorade bottle, 2 tire stem valves and some hose and a ball valve. Drill the cap of the bottle to fit the 2 tire stems, one to fill the bottle with air, the other with a hose and ball valve to hit the line with pressure.

 

[Curly]

Might be quicker to run a new drain line.

 

[WriteON]

Might be quicker to run a new drain line.

Underground .... gravity type.

 

[Curly]

Better than having to drink a big bottle of Gatorade!!!

 

[dogcatcher]

Better than having to drink a big bottle of Gatorade!!!

But once you have that set up I described you have a SUPER water gun. It is like a pressure washer.