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AC Condensate Line Plugged

AC Condensate Line Plugged

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by: fcabanski Active Indicator LED Icon 16 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 8:00pm  
The secondary drain pipe has water dripping.  I have tried for a week using the vacuum, pouring vinegar into the line.  Today, Sunday, I snaked.  There was no obstruction I could find.Someone suggested cutting the line - the drain line from the coil may be blocked.  When it comes to cutting pipe in the attic, it's time to call someone.Who do you recommend?Others who have had condensate lines cleared, what was the cost? 4951
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FoFa Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 8:07pm  
If your snake didn't make all the way to the condenser, there is usually a flap in the air exchanged that can be opened for access so you can snake from inside the air exchanged box. This flap can be anything from a removable panel, to a taped up hole thingy. 4951
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buffaloglenn Active Indicator LED Icon 11
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 8:18pm  
The secondary drain pipe has water dripping.  I have tried for a week using the vacuum, pouring vinegar into the line.  Today, Sunday, I snaked.  There was no obstruction I could find.Someone suggested cutting the line - the drain line from the coil may be blocked.  When it comes to cutting pipe in the attic, it's time to call someone.Who do you recommend?Others who have had condensate lines cleared, what was the cost?
 
@fcabanski:
 
The condensate line is likely blocked where it joins into your home's plumbing, near a bathroom sink or tub drain. A snake won't likely reach it, but air will. Make sure it is not plugged at the exit from the evap coil pan. If you have an air compressor, and don't mind some PVC gluing, it is easy to DYI. If not, call Madd air. 4951
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princecharming Active Indicator LED Icon 5
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 8:50pm  
The secondary drain pipe has water dripping.  I have tried for a week using the vacuum, pouring vinegar into the line.  Today, Sunday, I snaked.  There was no obstruction I could find.Someone suggested cutting the line - the drain line from the coil may be blocked.  When it comes to cutting pipe in the attic, it's time to call someone.Who do you recommend?Others who have had condensate lines cleared, what was the cost?
 
@fcabanski:
mine is clogged too I think ...
4951
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fcabanski Active Indicator LED Icon 16 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 9:11pm  
I don't have an air condenser.  How much does MADD air charge for that?It seems to be plugged both from the main line to the evap coil, and to the outside.  Because when I blow into the open tube in the attic, nothing goes back into the coil and into the pan.In the past, when it was clogged, if I blew into that hole, the sitting liquid would go back through the coil into the pan. 4951
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princecharming Active Indicator LED Icon 5
~ 6 years ago   Aug 13, '17 10:18pm  
I don't have an air condenser.  How much does MADD air charge for that?It seems to be plugged both from the main line to the evap coil, and to the outside.  Because when I blow into the open tube in the attic, nothing goes back into the coil and into the pan.In the past, when it was clogged, if I blew into that hole, the sitting liquid would go back through the coil into the pan.
 
@fcabanski:
 
I'll be up there at 6am after coffee ...too.hot right now 4951
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Macdaddy Active Indicator LED Icon
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 7:44am  
Pour bleach down the line 4951
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fcabanski Active Indicator LED Icon 16 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 10:27am  
I poured bleach and vinegar, snaked from the outside, vacuum push and pull from inside and outside. 4951
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buffaloglenn Active Indicator LED Icon 11
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 10:30am  
I don't have an air condenser.  How much does MADD air charge for that?It seems to be plugged both from the main line to the evap coil, and to the outside.  Because when I blow into the open tube in the attic, nothing goes back into the coil and into the pan.In the past, when it was clogged, if I blew into that hole, the sitting liquid would go back through the coil into the pan.

@fcabanski:
 
 
They will probably charge the service call fee, which I think is about $80.  We called them out last week as the controller for the blower in the attic had a problem.  They charged the service call and for the part, and we were up and running again.  4951
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buffaloglenn Active Indicator LED Icon 11
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 10:35am  
I poured bleach and vinegar, snaked from the outside, vacuum push and pull from inside and outside.

@fcabanski:
 
 
Most systems installed from early 80's on do not have the primary condensate line drain outside, but rather it goes into your home's plumbing.  Usually, what you see dripping outside it is the overflow (emergency) pan, so if you are trying to clean from that PVC it won't do any good, as it is working properly.  You have to access it from your evaporator coil in your attic, and you should see two separate PVC lines exiting.  The higher up one is connected to your evaporator coil and is likely the plugged one.  You can cut the PVC, install a PVC valve that you can close, and an access point (I did a small vertical riser) from which you can both see if it is flowing, close the upstream valve so no air can go upstream, and then use compressed air to blow down the line.  If your system is older with only one line that goes outside to drain, then all my advice is useless.  4951
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buffaloglenn Active Indicator LED Icon 11
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 10:39am  
I put a valve in the horizontal that comes out on top in this picture.  Notice the two drain lines, with the top being the primary. 
 
Loading Image... 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 11:15am  

- - - - - - - -
>> I poured bleach and vinegar, snaked from the outside, vacuum push and pull from inside and outside.
 
@fcabanski:
 
 
Most systems installed from early 80's on do not have the primary condensate line drain outside, but rather it goes into your home's plumbing.  Usually, what you see dripping outside it is the overflow (emergency) pan, so if you are trying to clean from that PVC it won't do any good, as it is working properly.  You have to access it from your evaporator coil in your attic, and you should see two separate PVC lines exiting.  The higher up one is connected to your evaporator coil and is likely the plugged one.  You can cut the PVC, install a PVC valve that you can close, and an access point (I did a small vertical riser) from which you can both see if it is flowing, close the upstream valve so no air can go upstream, and then use compressed air to blow down the line.  If your system is older with only one line that goes outside to drain, then all my advice is useless. 

@buffaloglenn:  Another thing to consider is the location of your hot water heater(s).  Heaters sit on a drip pan in the event of a leak and the drain pipe for that pan may tie into the secondary drain line for your A/C.  That line is usually routed outside so it is obvious that there is a problem.
 
 
4951
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TXtransplant Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 12:29pm  
Try one of these or similar. They work great and use hobby/BB gun size CO2 cartridges for the compressed air burst.
 
 
Loading Image... 4951
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monyhoney Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 12:54pm  
^ Would one of those work for clogged drains?  We have a couple of tubs and sinks that drain slowly. We've various methods and the drains are still slow.  4951
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TXtransplant Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 1:04pm  
^ Would one of those work for clogged drains?  We have a couple of tubs and sinks that drain slowly. We've various methods and the drains are still slow. 
 
@monyhoney:
 
The stopper would be too small to form a seal.
 
There are some that are pressurized and made for that, however. Never used them but they are a large aerosol can (like a hairspray can) with a tapered seal on the top. 4951
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TXtransplant Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 6 years ago   Aug 14, '17 1:08pm  
^ Would one of those work for clogged drains?  We have a couple of tubs and sinks that drain slowly. We've various methods and the drains are still slow. 
 
@monyhoney:
 
Example:
 
Loading Image... 4951
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