Have you use a cleaner that reaches to the other end of the pipe?
Out side of your house you will find this end of the pipe. Many times I have found them covered with grass and dirt. I have also seen ant's make there home in them to keep warm over the winter time. So check for this end of the piping.
I know this may sound gross, but in one of my homes in Tampa, the ac drain in the attic pan was so full of old crud that it was starting to back up with that sticky, slimy ooze that you sometimes see at the end of your outside drain hose. I cleaned off the end with a little listerine and holding the hose/tube end in my fist and putting my lips to my index and thumb spot, was able to blow air up the tube to dislodge the obstruction(s) and after a little gurgle, all kinds of slimy water
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flowed out and that was that. I'd do so every month or so but it never overflowed the collector pan again.
Instead of "blowing" it with your mouth a can of "spray air" like those used to dust off keyboards etc may also do the trick. Better still a regular air compressor with a spray nozzle.
Good inputs from the other contributers. I want to add that the drain line may not be blocked at all. Where is the AC unit located? Attic? Garage? Inside closet? How long has this been an issue..? Every year? What has been done prior to it happening that could have caused it? Could be the drain line is not sloped properly to drain the water out of the shallow sided drain pan before the pan
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starts to overflow. The further the distance from the unit to the exterior wall, the more likely this is an issue. The white pvc drain lines so commonly used here at the beach will sag over time on the longer, unsupported runs, especially in the attic.
Do you have an annual maintenance contract on your HVAC system? If so, call that company and have them take a look. Tim
You just don't get the "feel" of the lines clearing with a can of air Kev,...sort of like the precision technique you need with a good ol' "West Virginia Credit Card!" ( piece of hose used to syphon gas from another car to yours!)
Disconnect the condensate line from your drain tray and hook up a wet dry vac to the line, this will suck out all the mold and gunk clogging up the line. Then go outside where it is draining and feel the outlet to see if there is any suction. This is a quick and dirty fix, works like a charm.
How long has it been leaking? Chances are, if it worked fine in the past and it just started overflowing then you may be lucky and just have your drain clogged with slime. I have blown them by my mouth and by compressor in the past. I must say that I have never used compressed air in a can, but that is also a good idea. If you use something other than your mouth, you will have to wrap a rag
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around the opening to keep the pressure from escaping. If this does not work , I would take Hewitts advice and have an HVAC man look at it! If it does work. I would suggest getting a PVC T and a shut off valve. Usually it is 3/4 inch piping. You can easily cut the pvc pipe and add the shut off valve close to the pan if possible ,then add the T after that. The shut off will be between the T and the pan. Make sure you clean the pipe with PVC pipe cleaner and glue your pieces together.You will also need a small piece of pipe to put in the top of the T. You will also need a cap for the tube that fits on your T. Do not glue the pipe and cap that you connect to the T. This way you can remove it . I keep a small piece of clean pipe that I use to place in the top of the T so I can blow it with my mouth. (This can only be done if there is enough room.) 1st blow air in the T. 2nd,shut the valve off, 3rd blow the pipe out. After that you must open the valve so it will drain properly. I pour a cup of bleach in my T, using a small funnel, once a year. If you unclog the drain, look to see where the drain pipe goes and go outside to where you think it drains. You should see water draining from it.
Thanks for the advice everyone, all is well now it's working like a charm :-). The unit is only a year old but insulation had some how got in it and clogged it up. I used a wet vac outside and it worked like a charm..... thanks again!
Have you use a cleaner that reaches to the other end of the pipe?
Out side of your house you will find this end of the pipe. Many times I have found them covered with grass and dirt. I have also seen ant's make there home in them to keep warm over the winter time. So check for this end of the piping.
Best to you, keep it cool! JL
Good inputs from the other contributers. I want to add that the drain line may not be blocked at all. Where is the AC unit located? Attic? Garage? Inside closet? How long has this been an issue..? Every year? What has been done prior to it happening that could have caused it? Could be the drain line is not sloped properly to drain the water out of the shallow sided drain pan before the pan ...»
Do you have an annual maintenance contract on your HVAC system? If so, call that company and have them take a look. Tim
Keepin' it real! JL
How long has it been leaking? Chances are, if it worked fine in the past and it just started overflowing then you may be lucky and just have your drain clogged with slime. I have blown them by my mouth and by compressor in the past. I must say that I have never used compressed air in a can, but that is also a good idea. If you use something other than your mouth, you will have to wrap a rag ...»
Good Luck!