I have this video saved just for this one issue but today I experienced something new... Did my normal cleanup of the A/C drain hose into the guest bathroom sink. But, for some reason I have some sort of vacuum block at this time and the sink just cannot drain out. I can't see anything wrong with the pipe up against the wall but it definitely is not draining. Now I can't figure out if I call a plumber or a my A/C repair guy...
Thanks for sharing! Unlike other videos I've seen, your A/C unit, setup and drain line are very much like mine, so your demonstration is very helpful for my situation.
Wow. This is exactly what I have been dealing with. It was so hard to find any info online about this exact problem. I followed your advice and cleaned out the pipe under the sink. PROBLEM SOLVED!! Wow!
Superb video!! Totally helped me solve my leak problem. The extra details were greatly appreciated as they were educational and were spot-on. Well done
This was exactly my problem too, thank you for the heads up. I wasn’t aware of the primary drain going to my kids bathroom. Man the drain was nasty and clogged with crud they were also putting down the drain. Another issue for whatever reason builder glued on my access caps near the hvac so i had to cut the cap off and replace with a new coupler.
I learned not to use bleach after paying $1400 to replace the evaporator (?) eight years ago. Since then it's been vinegar only, mixing 9% vinegar with water in a quart container. A funnel at the top of the drain line (the one with the cap) catches the solution, poured quickly as that makes more sense to me but YMMV. My drain also goes to a bathroom sink. I just cleaned mine yesterday. The problem was not the AC drain line, nor the P-trap, but still further, a clog in a pipe inside the wall. Needed a snake to clear it. Wasn't hard. Point is, the clog can be in any number of places. I'd start with removing the P-trap, a simple job. Good video, clearer than most, thanks.
Sorry to hear about the bleach issue, but I have heard that from others too. If that chlorine gets back into the unit, it's going to eat it up. Thanks for the extra tips.
Thanks for this video. I’m slowly figuring out my unit. Whoever installed it didn’t put a clean out. There’s a tee fitting with about a 6 inch vertical pipe that’s capped. It’s not glued. I guess I can pour vinegar down that monthly. Also, where I am the hvac companies run the drain lines out the roof into the gutters. Probably not the case for new builds but for older homes that put central air in I don’t think it’s feasible to run the drain lines another way. I’m not getting on the second sorry to hook up a shop vac to the end of the drain line like I have seen people do in other videos.
Very nice video, I found drainage pipe in my one of bed room, mine is also A/C unit in my Attic, You save my money to call plumber. will clean now this drainage system, Thank You
Thanks! I was standing outside today and noticed the drip, knew exactly what was up. Went into attic to see main clogged, but i cleared it 2yrs ago in the bath sink below 🙄, guess I'll have to check it again and vac it this time as well as use the vinegar going forward. 🤘
I had a system get clogged up in the same place that your did. Turns out that "feeder" tube into that main sink drain has a plastic "shield" over it that deflects the sink drain flow. Right at that point where the pipes merge (main sink pipe and that 1/2 inch fork on the side of it). Look in there, and you see that plastic deflector. That plastic shield seems to be the spot where particles build up and start the clog. I think this probably needs to be an annual thing to inspect the sink drains and remove those clogs. Dumping the vinegar up at the main unit might help, but I think ultimately it's the lower sink drain that is root cause of any problems. Thanks for the video!
Yeah, mine was almost completely filled with crud at that point. It was pretty nasty. I like that it drains in the sink, but I wish they would have come up with a better drainage design altogether. Like a dedicated drain pipe that is straight down and easy to snake.
Please put a cap that is missing on the clean out you used (read why further)... the second cleanout that has the cap just before it is a better place to pour the vinegar or clorox. If you also vaccum out that as it is the condensate line p trap just below it.. not to be confused with your plumbing sink p trap. That p trap is a big source for problems. Vaccum it out, make sure it is cleared out, pour the bleach or vingar and pour warm water so you can clean out all the drain snot caused by the hvac process. By missing this part, you still may have a problem from that point back. Please note that with the missing cap on the cleanout is open, when you vaccumed out the line at the bathroom, you lost vaccum from the point of the missing cap back to the hvac unit. You did awesome and the line was opened as you could tell from the "clean" looking water coming out after you vaccumed out the line so great job but that cap in place it really important so you get all the condensate line and the pans inside the hvac system. For NC people, only a few of our systems do the condensate lines this way. The outside line most times is the primary and the secondary is a float switch but what he shows as to how to clear is good advice. I really like this video as I don't get to see an hvac done this way often. Getting long winded here but fyi, vac out the secondary also... it to can back up and if you lose the primary and the secondary, that would have the water with having to over flow into the pan below the hvac which is it is wired properly will have a flow switch there but I digress. Sorry .. don't you hate it when hvac techs get online and go on and on and on with "advice" so please take the advise with a grain of salt. We just want your equipment running and you are nice a cool. There are tablets you should use to prevent the hvac snot from building up that are safer to use once you clear the lines.... there I go again... later
Man, that is some awesome info. I did overlook that. I will get that cap and do another vacuum to make sure it's cleaned out well. I wish I would have done that in the video. Thank you for all the great info and tips! 👍
@@SeidelRanch Actually, to "cap or not to cap" is a HUGE issue. There are MANY expert opinions Both ways (trust me, or just UA-cam it yourself and find some). The basic issue is the FLOW of the cleanout pipe. HIGH level, No cap means better airflow and clear out but a little less A/C efficiency. The reason there are so many differing Expert opinions is because there are MANY variables (location, humidity, slope, distance (pipe length), temp, etc. etc. So to put it simply, there is NO ONE SIZE FITs All ;) One thing that WON'T hurt, is a regular Vinegar cup pour (Especially during YOUR heavy use A/C season- when I do it Monthly). 🙏🏾 Nice video- thanks!
Do not cap the pipe that the OP put in the vinegar. That is a vent line, it allows water to flow down. Just like a straw if you have liquid in the straw and you place your thumb on one end the liquid stays in the straw. However, if you vacuumlike the video, temporarily cap the line so you can vacuum all the way to the clog. The part that has the cap in the video is the clean out, you remove that to be able to clean out the p trap with a pipe brush. That clean out needs to be capped or the air handler (AC) will suck air from the pipe before the p trap.
That "second cleanout", as you called it, is not a cleanout at all, that is a properly positioned (after the trap) drain line air vent...which should always remain uncapped during system operation to prevent condensate from becoming trapped in the trap due to a vapor lock (hydro lock) condition. In synopsis, cleanout port...always capped when system is running, vent port...always uncapped when system is running. Doing this incorrectly will almost assuredly lead to improper condensate drain line operation, which has great potential to be a very messy and very costly situation. It's important to understand the drain system before making any alterations to it because any improper alterations can lead to potentially massive negative results. Be smart and stay safe!
Great idea thank you. One problem though I can't pour any liquid in mine there's cold air blowing out of the PVC pipe that's open like the one on your video.
this was the closest to my set up... under sink and in attic ..easy to understand...but i don't know which is the clean out port because i have two pipes sticking up. neither have a cap on it. but one is blowing cool air the other does not. so is the one that is not blowing air out the clean out port?
It sounds like you have the same setup as mine but you are missing your cap on the AC side. The side blowing the air out should have a cap on it. That is the side closest to the AC unit. I assume there is a drop between the two pipes like mine? That is a water trap to keep air from being wasted out of the system. You can blow or vacuum out either side, but only put in a cleaner like vinegar on the side not blowing out the air. Once you get this all cleaned up and working, put a cap on the side blowing out air. That is wasting AC.
Quick question. Did you use plumber's tape or another sealant in the A/C drain hose connecting to the sink p-trap? I have tightened the clamps as far as they go, and I still have a leak.
Pouring it down the pvc clean out , will only clear out the secondary/backup .. or will it also , clear up the main line , down the bathroom .. I’m having save problem. Can I pour the vinegar, under drain pan , that way that vinegar will , drain to the main clean out line
You should have two drain lines. The main one is lower on the pan and the backup one will be higher than that one. Usually you just need to clean out the primary.
Maybe the first time to try and unclog it, but only if you 100% know it would not go backwards into the ac. That would probably tear up the metals on the ac.
If that is where the clog is, you should get a small steady drip when the AC is running. More is there is a lot of humidify in the air. If you don't get a drip, there could be a clog further up in the AC unit.
I have this problem in my apartment and maintenance people keep vacuuming the primary drain but it won't stop leaking. The secondary is set to drip into the bathroom sink from the ceiling making the sink unsuable as the water is streaming above and splashing when it hits the sink. Not sure why the primary is not getting cleared.
Then they need to check at the AC side. Maybe they need to blow it out instead of vacuuming it. That way if the clog is on the AC side it can be pushed back into the AC housing.
Primary usually goes into the house somewhere, and secondary usually goes outside. Look where they drop. Also, look at the pan, and the secondary line is usually higher than the primary.
I have the same issue with mine. I have been using bleach but may switch to vinegar after watching this. I did not know chlorine would eat up the metal in the AC.
Thanks for the video, i was spending hours to find where the drain line was, I gave up, until I found this video, and that is exactly where the drain line for my AC unit is, it was actually clogged up so bad, and I cleaned it good, however, my AC unit still got frozen, when I turn off the cooling mode and set the fan on, it runs and blow air, but when I set back to cooling mode, the it turn off again and get frozen inside the coil and the unit outsite, do you have any idea of what could be the reason?
I cleaned the drain line, vacuum it out good, and also change the new filter as well but it still doesnt work properly, only heating and regular fan mode is working, not the cooling mode
This is what is happening to ours at the moment. We do not have a pipe that leads to any of our bathroom sinks. Where else would it lead to where we can unclog it because it continues to leak every other month
There should be two lines, a primary and a backup. You may have to go into the attic and follow them. If you only have one, I think that is a code issue. Maybe it goes to a kitchen sink or some other drain?
Attic units Should have cut out switch to stop thermostat. They can be used as a Tee or in place of over flow pipe. They sell both types! Rectorseal Safe t switch. Ss2
I have heard of copper being a sanitizer, but not much about copper in the coil. That may be something. I know most are aluminum theses days because it's cheaper.
@@SeidelRanch They make a product called prevclog. I looked at the patent and its just copper and another heavy metal mixed. They say if you put the string in the trap it lasts 20 years. I say bs. Try putting some copper chips at the bottom of the trap. i may try that too. I have it in my pump now like i said. I have mine double primaries bc it dumps so much water.
@@SeidelRanch I just had a new bosch installed by M Pipes Philanthropy. itll be a bit before i clog. i was the western pa install. i cant get these replies to stick on my end. i dont know why.
My HVAC unit is ground level, it has an air gap and it goes straight to a drain in the foundation.. No redundancy. I need to rework it but my central air has been broken for 2 years, I should probably get it going first. I don't like the idea of having to maintain it monthly even though it's easier in my case. I had to clear it once and ended up having to use a pretty nasty drain cleaner. I tried to snake it and I got a stop where it just wouldn't pass through. Vinegar and bleach did nothing. Once I replace the compressor and get it going again I would like to try putting a gallon of vinegar in a year when the AC is not running and see if that prevents me from having to do anything during the season that it is running. Additionally I need to add a pan around the air gap so when it's plugged, my first warning isn't the wet carpet, I'd be able to put a moisture alarm in the pan.
Do you have another AC unit, or is your central unit the only AC you have? I could not imagine going without AC here in Texas. The pan idea with the alarm is a great idea. Wet carpet is not a good way to find out you have a clogged drain.
@@SeidelRanch oh yeah, I've been using window units. I'm married, I couldn't even attempt to go without AC and expect to stay that way. I'm a slave to AC.
@@ExtraFungus They may not be as efficient, but I like window units. Better cooling where you want it, everyone can have their own and even the white noise they create can be nice. A lot easier to replace too. I use them at my land in the barn and shop.
@@SeidelRanch in my case, this year our bills are way down from last using window units and a terribly inefficient portable unit. The weather has been better and we are using them more selectively. I like the zone control and considered dumping the central air for a multi zone mini split that probably would have been much more efficient than fixing the central air and more comfortable. However I didn't do it out of fear it might make my home harder to sell, central air is the standard and I was afraid buyers might be afraid of the mini split/ ductless system.
I usually don't even turn the AC off. The water slowly draining out of the AC will eventually work the vinegar out of the line but it will take a while.
The pipes from the a/c drip pans was ignored, just cleaning out downstream from there. Those pipes that come from the drip pans are likely clogged. So, what did we learn here. Clean out downstream and forget about where the problem probably is: coming off the drip pans.
Well, that is true. It could also be higher up in the pan itself. I did not cut into the coil compartment in this video because luckily I did not have to. Some may not be that lucky.
excellent video. Now to find the rat b-stard that came up with this silly design. The tee inlet is the size of a pee. They will eventually clog every year
As an ac guy i recommend highly not using chlorine, but if you do give us a call so i can sell you a new coil. Also its not the liquid of the chlorine you need to worry about its the vapors
It's what the builders use. I am sure price dictates the size. But, I am not sure a larger size would help all that much. It's not the flow amount that is needed. It's really about keeping them clear of growth.
If you cleaned out the drain side the only thing I can think of is maybe the pipe inside the AC is clogged from the front? That side is inside the condenser housing (usually in the attic) and would need to be opened up to check.
Hope this video helps with your AC issues. Please like the video and subscribe to the channel. It's FREE. Thanks Everyone!
I have this video saved just for this one issue but today I experienced something new... Did my normal cleanup of the A/C drain hose into the guest bathroom sink. But, for some reason I have some sort of vacuum block at this time and the sink just cannot drain out. I can't see anything wrong with the pipe up against the wall but it definitely is not draining. Now I can't figure out if I call a plumber or a my A/C repair guy...
Thanks for sharing! Unlike other videos I've seen, your A/C unit, setup and drain line are very much like mine, so your demonstration is very helpful for my situation.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you.
Wow. This is exactly what I have been dealing with. It was so hard to find any info online about this exact problem. I followed your advice and cleaned out the pipe under the sink. PROBLEM SOLVED!! Wow!
Awesome. Glad it was useful.
Superb video!! Totally helped me solve my leak problem. The extra details were greatly appreciated as they were educational and were spot-on. Well done
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
This was exactly my problem too, thank you for the heads up. I wasn’t aware of the primary drain going to my kids bathroom. Man the drain was nasty and clogged with crud they were also putting down the drain. Another issue for whatever reason builder glued on my access caps near the hvac so i had to cut the cap off and replace with a new coupler.
Glad it helped. I wish they would find a better way to do them in the bathrooms. Seems like they are always getting clogged up.
Thanks for this video. I walked around my home three times trying to find where line drained out.
Hope it was helpful. It's a common issue for homeowners.
I learned not to use bleach after paying $1400 to replace the evaporator (?) eight years ago. Since then it's been vinegar only, mixing 9% vinegar with water in a quart container. A funnel at the top of the drain line (the one with the cap) catches the solution, poured quickly as that makes more sense to me but YMMV.
My drain also goes to a bathroom sink. I just cleaned mine yesterday. The problem was not the AC drain line, nor the P-trap, but still further, a clog in a pipe inside the wall. Needed a snake to clear it. Wasn't hard. Point is, the clog can be in any number of places. I'd start with removing the P-trap, a simple job.
Good video, clearer than most, thanks.
Sorry to hear about the bleach issue, but I have heard that from others too. If that chlorine gets back into the unit, it's going to eat it up.
Thanks for the extra tips.
Thanks for this video. I’m slowly figuring out my unit. Whoever installed it didn’t put a clean out. There’s a tee fitting with about a 6 inch vertical pipe that’s capped. It’s not glued. I guess I can pour vinegar down that monthly. Also, where I am the hvac companies run the drain lines out the roof into the gutters. Probably not the case for new builds but for older homes that put central air in I don’t think it’s feasible to run the drain lines another way. I’m not getting on the second sorry to hook up a shop vac to the end of the drain line like I have seen people do in other videos.
EXCELLENT video. Great dialogue, clear, simple but helpful- Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful. Thank you.
Very helpful and thanks for making this video, bet will be useful to a ton of folks going forward
Glad it was helpful!
Very nice video, I found drainage pipe in my one of bed room, mine is also A/C unit in my Attic, You save my money to call plumber. will clean now this drainage system, Thank You
Thanks! Glad it helped.
Thanks! I was standing outside today and noticed the drip, knew exactly what was up. Went into attic to see main clogged, but i cleared it 2yrs ago in the bath sink below 🙄, guess I'll have to check it again and vac it this time as well as use the vinegar going forward. 🤘
Yeah, they clog pretty easy here too. The bleach or vinegar helps but sometimes you have to do it all over again in a few years.
I had a system get clogged up in the same place that your did. Turns out that "feeder" tube into that main sink drain has a plastic "shield" over it that deflects the sink drain flow. Right at that point where the pipes merge (main sink pipe and that 1/2 inch fork on the side of it). Look in there, and you see that plastic deflector. That plastic shield seems to be the spot where particles build up and start the clog. I think this probably needs to be an annual thing to inspect the sink drains and remove those clogs. Dumping the vinegar up at the main unit might help, but I think ultimately it's the lower sink drain that is root cause of any problems. Thanks for the video!
Yeah, mine was almost completely filled with crud at that point. It was pretty nasty. I like that it drains in the sink, but I wish they would have come up with a better drainage design altogether. Like a dedicated drain pipe that is straight down and easy to snake.
@@SeidelRanch Yeah like a simple "Y" sewer drain design instead of a 90 degree angle with that plastic baffle - it's bound to get plugged.
@@ApacheRanch Right.
Please put a cap that is missing on the clean out you used (read why further)... the second cleanout that has the cap just before it is a better place to pour the vinegar or clorox. If you also vaccum out that as it is the condensate line p trap just below it.. not to be confused with your plumbing sink p trap. That p trap is a big source for problems. Vaccum it out, make sure it is cleared out, pour the bleach or vingar and pour warm water so you can clean out all the drain snot caused by the hvac process. By missing this part, you still may have a problem from that point back. Please note that with the missing cap on the cleanout is open, when you vaccumed out the line at the bathroom, you lost vaccum from the point of the missing cap back to the hvac unit. You did awesome and the line was opened as you could tell from the "clean" looking water coming out after you vaccumed out the line so great job but that cap in place it really important so you get all the condensate line and the pans inside the hvac system. For NC people, only a few of our systems do the condensate lines this way. The outside line most times is the primary and the secondary is a float switch but what he shows as to how to clear is good advice. I really like this video as I don't get to see an hvac done this way often. Getting long winded here but fyi, vac out the secondary also... it to can back up and if you lose the primary and the secondary, that would have the water with having to over flow into the pan below the hvac which is it is wired properly will have a flow switch there but I digress. Sorry .. don't you hate it when hvac techs get online and go on and on and on with "advice" so please take the advise with a grain of salt. We just want your equipment running and you are nice a cool. There are tablets you should use to prevent the hvac snot from building up that are safer to use once you clear the lines.... there I go again... later
Man, that is some awesome info. I did overlook that. I will get that cap and do another vacuum to make sure it's cleaned out well. I wish I would have done that in the video. Thank you for all the great info and tips! 👍
@@SeidelRanch Actually, to "cap or not to cap" is a HUGE issue. There are MANY expert opinions Both ways (trust me, or just UA-cam it yourself and find some). The basic issue is the FLOW of the cleanout pipe. HIGH level, No cap means better airflow and clear out but a little less A/C efficiency. The reason there are so many differing Expert opinions is because there are MANY variables (location, humidity, slope, distance (pipe length), temp, etc. etc. So to put it simply, there is NO ONE SIZE FITs All ;)
One thing that WON'T hurt, is a regular Vinegar cup pour (Especially during YOUR heavy use A/C season- when I do it Monthly). 🙏🏾
Nice video- thanks!
@@delg1211 Great info. Thanks.
Do not cap the pipe that the OP put in the vinegar. That is a vent line, it allows water to flow down. Just like a straw if you have liquid in the straw and you place your thumb on one end the liquid stays in the straw. However, if you vacuumlike the video, temporarily cap the line so you can vacuum all the way to the clog. The part that has the cap in the video is the clean out, you remove that to be able to clean out the p trap with a pipe brush. That clean out needs to be capped or the air handler (AC) will suck air from the pipe before the p trap.
That "second cleanout", as you called it, is not a cleanout at all, that is a properly positioned (after the trap) drain line air vent...which should always remain uncapped during system operation to prevent condensate from becoming trapped in the trap due to a vapor lock (hydro lock) condition.
In synopsis, cleanout port...always capped when system is running, vent port...always uncapped when system is running.
Doing this incorrectly will almost assuredly lead to improper condensate drain line operation, which has great potential to be a very messy and very costly situation.
It's important to understand the drain system before making any alterations to it because any improper alterations can lead to potentially massive negative results.
Be smart and stay safe!
Thank you so much. Had no idea that it drained into a sink. I just found it. 😅
Glad I could help!
Thanks for informing me were to look for the end of the drain being connected to the sink. I couldn't find it outside. 🙏🏿
Great idea thank you. One problem though I can't pour any liquid in mine there's cold air blowing out of the PVC pipe that's open like the one on your video.
You have to do it when it's not running.
this was the closest to my set up... under sink and in attic ..easy to understand...but i don't know which is the clean out port because i have two pipes sticking up. neither have a cap on it. but one is blowing cool air the other does not. so is the one that is not blowing air out the clean out port?
It sounds like you have the same setup as mine but you are missing your cap on the AC side. The side blowing the air out should have a cap on it. That is the side closest to the AC unit. I assume there is a drop between the two pipes like mine? That is a water trap to keep air from being wasted out of the system. You can blow or vacuum out either side, but only put in a cleaner like vinegar on the side not blowing out the air. Once you get this all cleaned up and working, put a cap on the side blowing out air. That is wasting AC.
Hi there I’m watching your video from Australia. I have a leak in the ceiling… what could be the cause?. Thank you
There are so many things that could cause that. You probably need to go up there and look at what is above the leak.
Quick question. Did you use plumber's tape or another sealant in the A/C drain hose connecting to the sink p-trap? I have tightened the clamps as far as they go, and I still have a leak.
I don't; but you can see in the video my drain pipe is pretty snug already so a hose clamp is just extra security.
Pouring it down the pvc clean out , will only clear out the secondary/backup .. or will it also , clear up the main line , down the bathroom .. I’m having save problem. Can I pour the vinegar, under drain pan , that way that vinegar will , drain to the main clean out line
You should have two drain lines. The main one is lower on the pan and the backup one will be higher than that one. Usually you just need to clean out the primary.
Great Video Bro!!!! 👌👍🙌
Glad you liked it!
this taught me so much. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful.
Secondary is connected to the pan correct ? And primary is not ?
Yes, it should be, but there are many different configurations.
What do think of using draino instead of vinegar?
Maybe the first time to try and unclog it, but only if you 100% know it would not go backwards into the ac. That would probably tear up the metals on the ac.
Ok so after I vacuum the hose under the sink is it supposed to keep having water come out or not?
If that is where the clog is, you should get a small steady drip when the AC is running. More is there is a lot of humidify in the air. If you don't get a drip, there could be a clog further up in the AC unit.
I have this problem in my apartment and maintenance people keep vacuuming the primary drain but it won't stop leaking. The secondary is set to drip into the bathroom sink from the ceiling making the sink unsuable as the water is streaming above and splashing when it hits the sink. Not sure why the primary is not getting cleared.
Then they need to check at the AC side. Maybe they need to blow it out instead of vacuuming it. That way if the clog is on the AC side it can be pushed back into the AC housing.
@@SeidelRanchturns out there was a hole on the unit from rusting and the primary was also clogged. Ended up replacing the whole unit.
How you know which one is second and which one is primary?
Primary usually goes into the house somewhere, and secondary usually goes outside. Look where they drop. Also, look at the pan, and the secondary line is usually higher than the primary.
I have the same issue with mine. I have been using bleach but may switch to vinegar after watching this. I did not know chlorine would eat up the metal in the AC.
Chlorine is pretty nasty to metal. It can eat it up quick.
Thanks for the video, i was spending hours to find where the drain line was, I gave up, until I found this video, and that is exactly where the drain line for my AC unit is, it was actually clogged up so bad, and I cleaned it good, however, my AC unit still got frozen, when I turn off the cooling mode and set the fan on, it runs and blow air, but when I set back to cooling mode, the it turn off again and get frozen inside the coil and the unit outsite, do you have any idea of what could be the reason?
I cleaned the drain line, vacuum it out good, and also change the new filter as well but it still doesnt work properly, only heating and regular fan mode is working, not the cooling mode
That sounds like low coolant. Your pressures may be getting low.
frozen coils usually mean gas is low and that typically means a leak . . .
Great video!
Thanks. Glad it was helpful.
This is what is happening to ours at the moment. We do not have a pipe that leads to any of our bathroom sinks. Where else would it lead to where we can unclog it because it continues to leak every other month
There should be two lines, a primary and a backup. You may have to go into the attic and follow them. If you only have one, I think that is a code issue. Maybe it goes to a kitchen sink or some other drain?
Attic units Should have cut out switch to stop thermostat. They can be used as a Tee or in place of over flow pipe. They sell both types! Rectorseal Safe t switch. Ss2
Thanks, I will look into that. I don't think mine has that.
Thank you sir! 🤝
Welcome 👍
I put a piece of copper in my cond pump. I want to see if it helps. They say no copper is the issue. No copper in evap coil.
I have heard of copper being a sanitizer, but not much about copper in the coil. That may be something. I know most are aluminum theses days because it's cheaper.
@@SeidelRanch They make a product called prevclog. I looked at the patent and its just copper and another heavy metal mixed. They say if you put the string in the trap it lasts 20 years. I say bs. Try putting some copper chips at the bottom of the trap. i may try that too. I have it in my pump now like i said. I have mine double primaries bc it dumps so much water.
@@SeidelRanch actually triple primaries bc one is built in and comes off the machine with a clear tube.
@@Keith_Mikell Hmm, that is a good idea. Have more than one primary so it does not back up to the secondary. Hope that fixes it. Keep me updated.
@@SeidelRanch I just had a new bosch installed by M Pipes Philanthropy. itll be a bit before i clog. i was the western pa install. i cant get these replies to stick on my end. i dont know why.
My HVAC unit is ground level, it has an air gap and it goes straight to a drain in the foundation.. No redundancy. I need to rework it but my central air has been broken for 2 years, I should probably get it going first. I don't like the idea of having to maintain it monthly even though it's easier in my case. I had to clear it once and ended up having to use a pretty nasty drain cleaner. I tried to snake it and I got a stop where it just wouldn't pass through. Vinegar and bleach did nothing. Once I replace the compressor and get it going again I would like to try putting a gallon of vinegar in a year when the AC is not running and see if that prevents me from having to do anything during the season that it is running. Additionally I need to add a pan around the air gap so when it's plugged, my first warning isn't the wet carpet, I'd be able to put a moisture alarm in the pan.
Do you have another AC unit, or is your central unit the only AC you have? I could not imagine going without AC here in Texas. The pan idea with the alarm is a great idea. Wet carpet is not a good way to find out you have a clogged drain.
@@SeidelRanch oh yeah, I've been using window units. I'm married, I couldn't even attempt to go without AC and expect to stay that way. I'm a slave to AC.
@@ExtraFungus They may not be as efficient, but I like window units. Better cooling where you want it, everyone can have their own and even the white noise they create can be nice. A lot easier to replace too. I use them at my land in the barn and shop.
@@SeidelRanch in my case, this year our bills are way down from last using window units and a terribly inefficient portable unit. The weather has been better and we are using them more selectively.
I like the zone control and considered dumping the central air for a multi zone mini split that probably would have been much more efficient than fixing the central air and more comfortable. However I didn't do it out of fear it might make my home harder to sell, central air is the standard and I was afraid buyers might be afraid of the mini split/ ductless system.
Why is the rubber pipe in the sink so impossible to take off? Unlike yours mine isn’t attached to the p-trap but a metal pipe.
This was fantastic.
Thank you. Glad it was helpful.
How long do we let the vinegar sit before turning the unit back on? Or do we not let it sit?
I usually don't even turn the AC off. The water slowly draining out of the AC will eventually work the vinegar out of the line but it will take a while.
The pipes from the a/c drip pans was ignored, just cleaning out downstream from there. Those pipes that come from the drip pans are likely clogged. So, what did we learn here. Clean out downstream and forget about where the problem probably is: coming off the drip pans.
Well, that is true. It could also be higher up in the pan itself. I did not cut into the coil compartment in this video because luckily I did not have to. Some may not be that lucky.
excellent video. Now to find the rat b-stard that came up with this silly design. The tee inlet is the size of a pee. They will eventually clog every year
Thanks. And I agree. The connections are the problems where everything builds up.
As an ac guy i recommend highly not using chlorine, but if you do give us a call so i can sell you a new coil.
Also its not the liquid of the chlorine you need to worry about its the vapors
That is good to know about the vapors. I don't use chlorine, but I have heard a lot that do.
That p trap is not installed properly. It's installed backwards. If you cut the chrome tailpiece you will be able to install ptrap properly.
why not use larger drain pipes.
It's what the builders use. I am sure price dictates the size. But, I am not sure a larger size would help all that much. It's not the flow amount that is needed. It's really about keeping them clear of growth.
I did exactly what you said but water still dripping outside. What is wrong?
If you cleaned out the drain side the only thing I can think of is maybe the pipe inside the AC is clogged from the front? That side is inside the condenser housing (usually in the attic) and would need to be opened up to check.
Why would my sink fill up? Does this mean the plumbing is backed up even further down?
I would think so. You must have a deeper clog in the sink drain.
@@SeidelRanch Thanks, I may of fixed it, time will tell. Appreciate the video!
Plugged with dead skin that made it thru the air filter
Sounds nasty, but that is what it is. And mold of course.
What about apartments
I would think you would call maintenance at an apartment. Those can be all different kinds of setups.
Note to self: never buy a house with hvac in the attic.
Probably a good note.