House AC is dripping.

[tchookem 3900]

Water dripping from under the AC unit. It pooled up on the foundation under the unit and has spread under the carpet and flooring in the hallway.
 
No water under the actual unit.
 
Any ideas?







https://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/66b92d0b25768/20240811_162005.mp4

[tchookem 3900]

Link to video:

[immamac 42837]

Your drain line is clogged and your drain pan is full. 

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

1 hour ago, immamac said:

Your drain line is clogged and your drain pan is full. 

This. 

 

1 hour ago, tchookem said:

Water dripping from under the AC unit. It pooled up on the foundation under the unit and has spread under the carpet and flooring in the hallway.
 
No water under the actual unit.
 
Any ideas?







https://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/66b92d0b25768/20240811_162005.mp4

If you have a small air compressor try getting a rag, creating a seal with the air nozzle and blowing down your overflow drain line. 

 

In the future try pouring down 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water down the drain line you're about to blow out at least once a month. 

[tchookem 3900]

Thanks. I blew some air down the drain line, and this came out. I'm guessing it was the clog.

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

8 minutes ago, tchookem said:

Thanks. I blew some air down the drain line, and this came out. I'm guessing it was the clog.

Yeah definitely do the vinegar hot water trick 

[HornOnTheBayou 8914]

2 hours ago, tchookem said:

Thanks. I blew some air down the drain line, and this came out. I'm guessing it was the clog.

Looks like a happy boyfriend to me.

[tchookem 3900]

Looks like a happy boyfriend to me.

Looks like they may need some penicillin.

[Ojo Rojo 1953]

Did it stop dripping?  Do you have a two story house?  I learned something at our last house.  The AC drain line ties into the drain system for the rest of the house, usually at upstairs sinks.  If you look at the plumbing under those sinks you might see a Y fitting with a hose attached to it.  This is where the AC drain line ties in.  Several times I found that sediment would clog that Y fitting and even if I blew out an obstruction it would still fill up because the clogs were still there at those Y fittings.  So I removed the pipe clamps and took a screwdriver and reamed out the fitting to clear it.  Voila.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

(depending on the age of the AC install)

You will have a secondary / overflow drain line in your soffit & it is typically set over a window (kitchen) or near a door.  The idea is so you will see it & recognize the primary is clogged.

Additionally, building code since ______ (I don't know when) has required a "Float Switch" for the condensation pan, so either your system's installation date predates the code, your installer didn't put one in or you do have one & it's defective.

307.2.3.1: “On downflow units and all other coils that do not have a secondary drain or provisions to install a secondary or auxiliary drain pan, a water-level monitoring device shall be installed inside the primary drain pan. This device shall shut off the equipment served if the primary drain becomes restricted. Devices installed in the drain line shall not be permitted.

307.2.5: “Condensate drain lines shall be configured to allow the clearing of blockages and performance of maintenance without having to cut the line.”

[Mother mopar 3318]

If you have a small air compressor try getting a rag, creating a seal with the air nozzle and blowing down your overflow drain line. 
 
In the future try pouring down 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water down the drain line you're about to blow out at least once a month. 

Bleach works too

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

7 minutes ago, Mother mopar said:

On 8/11/2024 at 6:16 PM, BurntOrange&White said:

If you have a small air compressor try getting a rag, creating a seal with the air nozzle and blowing down your overflow drain line. 
 
In the future try pouring down 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water down the drain line you're about to blow out at least once a month. 

Bleach works too

Bleach is too abrasive on PVC IMO.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13509]

21 hours ago, Ojo Rojo said:

Did it stop dripping?  Do you have a two story house?  I learned something at our last house.  The AC drain line ties into the drain system for the rest of the house, usually at upstairs sinks.  If you look at the plumbing under those sinks you might see a Y fitting with a hose attached to it.  This is where the AC drain line ties in.  Several times I found that sediment would clog that Y fitting and even if I blew out an obstruction it would still fill up because the clogs were still there at those Y fittings.  So I removed the pipe clamps and took a screwdriver and reamed out the fitting to clear it.  Voila.

Spot on where the problem may lie for many. Another great option to clear the pipe is using a shop vac. Make a good seal with the shop vac to that pipe going up to the AC unit. Some nasty crap will get pulled into the shop vac. shop vacs run $75-100 at Home Depot. Good to have a shop vac on hand with water problems.

Before reconnecting, see if water is correctly flowing down from the open pipe, near the drip pan. I think it’s good for the average homeowner to go through this issue once so they’re aware of the low maintenance to prevent it.

 

Edited August 13 by Nice Guy Eddie

[Mother mopar 3318]

Bleach is too abrasive on PVC IMO.

If that was the case, then we never use bleach in the washing machine.

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

2 minutes ago, Mother mopar said:

36 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Bleach is too abrasive on PVC IMO.

If that was the case, then we never use bleach in the washing machine.

You aren't putting 50/50 bleach in your washing machine.....it's far more diluted. 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13509]

On 8/12/2024 at 11:11 AM, Ojo Rojo said:

Did it stop dripping?  Do you have a two story house?  I learned something at our last house.  The AC drain line ties into the drain system for the rest of the house, usually at upstairs sinks.  If you look at the plumbing under those sinks you might see a Y fitting with a hose attached to it.  This is where the AC drain line ties in.  Several times I found that sediment would clog that Y fitting and even if I blew out an obstruction it would still fill up because the clogs were still there at those Y fittings.  So I removed the pipe clamps and took a screwdriver and reamed out the fitting to clear it.  Voila.

FYI, trying to clear a blockage at the lowest point of a pipe can lead to a big mess. You may have a gallon of stagnant water and algae built up behind the blockage. Make sure you a bucket when the blockage clears. Nasty stuff.

[Quagmire 2147]

Thanks. I blew some air down the drain line, and this came out. I'm guessing it was the clog.

Maybe don’t cum in your ac system next time

[Nice Guy Eddie 13509]

[Ojo Rojo 1953]

17 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

FYI, trying to clear a blockage at the lowest point of a pipe can lead to a big mess. You may have a gallon of stagnant water and algae built up behind the blockage. Make sure you a bucket when the blockage clears. Nasty stuff.

Yes, for sure.

[markstanco 12571]

Drain is clogged. You should add vinegar once a month. About half a cup. The acid keeps it clean.

Which reminds me……..

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2732]

If you are in the Dallas area my shop is running a $59/system special on Tune Ups.

This is a common issue after running hard for a few months during the summer heat.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

On 8/13/2024 at 8:10 AM, Mother mopar said:

On 8/11/2024 at 6:16 PM, BurntOrange&White said:

If you have a small air compressor try getting a rag, creating a seal with the air nozzle and blowing down your overflow drain line. 
 
In the future try pouring down 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water down the drain line you're about to blow out at least once a month. 

Bleach works too

*MAYBE* a cap-ful of bleach to 1 gallon of water.  Better to stick with vinegar & not damage the pipes.

[Mother mopar 3318]

*MAYBE* a cap-ful of bleach to 1 gallon of water.  Better to stick with vinegar & not damage the pipes.

Damn, not pouring straight bleach in their via 50G drums, lulz.

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2732]

Our techs advise vinegar instead of bleach.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Damn, not pouring straight bleach in their via 50G drums, lulz.

Straight bleach even ½ gal. is still too much.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Our techs advise vinegar instead of bleach.

I am on the Milwaukee battery system & got this ½ priced on a closeout. Works great on the shitter, the sink & there's no need to drag an air hose up into the attic.

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

Damn that looks handy

[luke duke 6412]

I am on the Milwaukee battery system & got this ½ priced on a closeout. Works great on the shitter, the sink & there's no need to drag an air hose up into the attic.

You need more fiber in your diet.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

You need more fiber in your diet.

No, I need my kids to not use ⅛ of a roll every time they drop a deuce & the wife & daughter to not clog the bathroom sinks with their hair.

[Deej 76755]

On 8/11/2024 at 6:16 PM, BurntOrange&White said:

This. 

 

If you have a small air compressor try getting a rag, creating a seal with the air nozzle and blowing down your overflow drain line. 

 

In the future try pouring down 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water down the drain line you're about to blow out at least once a month. 

Create a seal with a shopvac on the line outside works, too.

[Deej 76755]

4 hours ago, ROFL BOX said:

No, I need my kids to not use ⅛ of a roll every time they drop a deuce

"Would you like to hear about our lord and savior, Bidet?"

[Deej 76755]

On 8/11/2024 at 6:36 PM, tchookem said:

Thanks. I blew some air down the drain line, and this came out. I'm guessing it was the clog.

Something, something...South Austin's mom.

[Deej 76755]

The newer units have a little float valve that shuts the unit off to keep that from happening. 

[ROFL BOX 6647]

3 hours ago, Deej said:

The newer units have a little float valve that shuts the unit off to keep that from happening. 

Yes.  

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13509]

I’m hearing more than a few people in Houston running into this problem the past few weeks. I have to wonder if the power outages could have increased the problem with ACs not creating condensation plus hot houses equaling increased algae growth in the condensation pipes.

[CooterBrown 18003]

I've been pouring bleach down the drain pipe for 20+ years.  I like to live dangerously.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

2 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

I've been pouring bleach down the drain pipe for 20+ years.  I like to live dangerously.

I am *absolutely not* an AC professional, merely repeating what I have been told over the decades about the bleach thing.