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Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line’s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line.
Is bleach or vinegar better for AC drain line?
We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can be harmful to your AC system if your drain line has copper tubing. Using vinegar will not damage your system. Spilling bleach can also ruin carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar will just leave a strong odor.
How much bleach do you put in AC drain line?
Mix 1/4 cup bleach with 1 cup hot water and pour it into the pipe that leads into the condensate drain pan. PVC pipe and pans are not affected by the corrosive nature of chlorine bleach, but be careful to not splash the bleach onto the evaporator coils or other metal parts of the air conditioner.
How do you clean an AC drain line?
How to clean the AC drain line Step 1: Turn off your air conditioner. Step 2: Find the condensate drain line. Step 3: Locate the access point on the drain. Step 4: Flush with distilled vinegar. Step 5: Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Step 6: Repeat each month. Air Conditioning.
Is bleach good for AC drain line?
Bleach and Vinegar are Corrosive to metals The reason you shouldn’t use bleach or vinegar to clean your AC drain line all boils down to the fact that these chemicals are corrosive to metals. In other words, they literally eat away at metal.
Does bleach damage PVC pipes?
You can put small amounts of bleach down PVC pipes, but it probably won’t break up clogs very well. Larger amounts can be dangerous. The bleach can also combine with substances trapped in the pipes and cause a reaction.
Is it safe to pour bleach down AC drain?
Unclogging a Condensate Drain Line Over time, algae, mold and mildew can build up inside the condensate drain line and form a clog. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line’s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe.
What can I pour down my AC drain line?
You do that by pouring a 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar through the AC condensate drain line. We recommend distilled vinegar because its acidity clears the clog faster. You may also use hot water, dish soap, or peroxide if you cannot stand the smell of vinegar.
Is it safe to put bleach in air conditioner?
Mold, mildew and algae will grow in your air conditioner condensation drain year-round. Using bleach during the summer months is safe as long as the unit is operating because the constant flow of condensation will wash out any bleach residue.
Can I pour Drano down my AC drain pipe?
Drano is designed for food and grease so it won’t work in your AC drain pipes. I don’t recommend using Drano for this situation. If you want to use bleach, use 5 parts water to 1 part bleach.
Does bleach unclog drains?
It is not a great drain clog remover. Bleach has no effect in dissolving the common culprits of household drain clogs, like hair, food scraps, and grease. Also, pouring bleach can harm the integrity of your drains and pipes.
Can bleach break down plastic?
Yes, it is corrosive to plastic. It does not eat up the plastic in one go (we are assuming you are using the diluted bleach or bleach water as the cleaning agent), but the damage it would create is definite.
Does bleach damage cast iron pipes?
If the wrong type of chemical is used and doesn’t drain correctly, it will start to erode the iron. Diluted chlorine bleach is one chemical that can possibly be used, but there are differing opinions on it because if it stays in contact with any sort of metal for a long time, it can cause corrosion.
How long should you leave bleach in a drain?
Carefully pour some bleach into a cup and dump it down your bathtub or shower drain. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then flush the drain with hot water. Don’t leave the bleach much longer than that, or it may corrode your pipes.
How do I stop my AC condensate pipe from clogging?
How to prevent drain clogs? Clean your air filters often. Dust is one of the main causes of clogged air conditioner drains. Flush your drain lines. Routinely flushing your drain lines with warm water is an effective way to prevent blockage and keep your drain lines clean. Install a condensate trap. 4) Hire a professional!.
Can I use Liquid Plumber in my AC drain line?
Put a couple tablespoons full in your AC drain pan, use a spray bottle or a squeeze bottle filled with plain water, to rinse off, if you get any on the coil ends. Chlorine Bleach and Drain Opening Chemicals are too harsh. Also you could harm yourself and the AC unit if you get a strong chemical reaction.
Can Coca Cola unclog a drain?
Coke or Pepsi are great for vanquishing a clog! Coke and Pepsi are loaded with phosphoric acid, which breaks down buildup that can clog your drains! Phosphoric acid can even remove lime scale and other tough buildup that regular cleaners struggle with.
Can you add baking soda to bleach?
Mixing bleach and baking soda has no harmful effects, and baking soda may probably be the only cleaning agent you can safely mix with bleach. The baking soda eliminates most of the strong bleach scent while boosting the bleach’s cleaning abilities. The result: whiter, fresher clothes.
Does bleach dissolve hair in drains?
Next time you have a bathroom sink, shower, or bathtub draining slow try pouring a cup of liquid bleach into the drain. Be sure to rinse off any metal finishes with a little bit of water so they wont get damaged. After about a half hour any hair the bleach is in contact with will dissolve.
