If you don’t rinse out your condensate drain line with vinegar each month, the pipe may get clogged and allow water to back up into your home. This water can quickly do damage to surrounding areas of your home and AC unit if left unaddressed. But you can prevent AC water leaks altogether with one simple care step each month.
If you already have a condensate drain line leak, just give us a call to schedule AC service in Memphis, TN. We can break down the clog and get the line draining the way it should. Keep reading to learn more about
What Is a Condensate Drain Line?
The condensate drain line is a pipe that runs from the inside portion of your air conditioner to the outside unit. During each cooling cycle, moisture in the air condenses down into droplets and collects to drain away from your house via the condensate drain line.
Your home can feel as much as a few degrees cooler simply by eliminating some of the moisture from the air. But if a clog develops, moisture backs up and spills out into your home instead of draining outside. In addition to causing water damage, the moisture reevaporates into the air and increases humidity levels.
While lower humidity levels can make your home feel cooler, higher humidity can make your home feel unreasonably warm. You may try to set your thermostat lower in an attempt to make the air more comfortable without success. It’s even possible that condensate drain clogs get serious enough to require professional attention.
Cleaning Steps
Keeping the line clean is simple. Open the closet door to where your indoor AC unit is stored and locate the pipe that is sticking up. It should have a cap on top that is easy to remove. Pour about half a cup of vinegar into this opening once each month and then replace the cap again.
Completing this simple step helps in two ways. First, the vinegar destroys mold spores so that mold can’t develop into an infestation in the line. Second, it clears away any dirt buildup in the line. Mold and dirt can easily mix together and cling to the sides of the small pipe to form a clog.
Signs of Problems
It’s easy to identify a problem if you see the water when it is actively leaking out of the line. Noticing water stains around the condensate drain line is also a red flag. Even if you don’t see a leak, water stains indicate that water spilled out at some point. It’s a good idea to go ahead and schedule service for your AC just to be safe.
Otherwise, a condensate drain clog could cause even more problems. Water damage can easily lead to mold growth inside your home or damage surrounding portions of your air conditioner. This is especially concerning when electrical wires are involved.
Since 1943, it’s been Automatic in Memphis! Contact the experts at Automatic Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing for all your HVAC needs.
