If there is standing water in the condensate pan, your drain line is probably clogged. Use a rag or wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the water. Clean the pan with soap and water. Find the condensate drain outlet which might be located outside your house near the foundation.

How do I unclog my condensate drain?

How to Unclog Your AC Condensate Drain Line

  1. Turn off your air conditioner. …
  2. Remove the cap from the pipe. …
  3. Check to see if there is any debris stuck in the drain. …
  4. Remove any visible debris and retest for proper drainage. …
  5. Pour in Vinegar. …
  6. Replace the drain cap. …
  7. Remove the drain cap.

How much water should drain from air conditioner condensate drain?

5 to 20 gallons

Final Thoughts. Your air conditioner should naturally drain water that was once humidity out of your home. On average, you can expect 5 to 20 gallons of condensate per day. If water is not draining, your climate may be too dry or your system is not functioning properly.

What happens if condensate drain is clogged?

When your drain line clogs, the water that your air conditioner produces has nowhere to go. Instead, it simply sits in the line or in your drain pan and slowly evaporates back into the atmosphere, increasing your indoor humidity levels.

How do you know if your condensate line is clogged?

Signs the AC Drain Line is Clogged

  1. Musty, moldy smell near your indoor unit or in air from the registers/vents.
  2. Standing water near the indoor unit.
  3. Water damage in areas near the indoor unit.
  4. AC system is not cooling your home.
  5. AC system shuts down or doesn’t turn on.


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 vinegar do you put in AC drain line?

a ¼ cup

By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC’s drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.

Why does my air conditioner drain so much water?

The Drain Pipe Is Clogged



A clogged drain pipe is the most common cause of standing water in the drain pan. As air passes over the evaporator coils in your air conditioner, it cools down and loses some of its humidity. This humidity is left behind in the form of condensation on the coils.

Should AC drain line have water in it?

The condensate line should drain to the outdoors and during humid weather you should see plenty of water dripping from it. If it’s not dripping, it’s not draining! If there is standing water in the drain pan, your condensate drain is clogged!

Should water be coming out of my air conditioner?

Luckily, water leakage from your AC unit can be perfectly normal. However, there are certain circumstances when a leaking AC could be cause for concern and warrant a service call.

Where do you pour vinegar in your air conditioner?

All it takes is 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a couple minutes of your time:

  • Find your drain line. It should be near your drain pan, located near the air handler. …
  • Remove the cap.
  • Pour in 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar. …
  • Place the cap back on the drain line.


Can you snake an AC drain line?

If you have a very stubborn clog that doesn’t come out with a shop vac and water, then you can try using a drain snake. Push the drain snake down into the drain line access near the air handler. Make sure the that the drain snake does not go towards your air handler or you could potentially damage the evaporator coil.

How often should you put vinegar in your AC?

There is no exact amount you need to add, but around ¼ a cup should be fine. – Repeat every month for a clean and bacteria free drain line! Be aware, that if at any time while doing this you see water pooled, or the vinegar will not go down the drain, you may have a blockage.

How do I unclog my AC drain pipe with a shop vac?

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Does vinegar help unclog drains?

Along with gravity, this pressure helps remove unwanted goop out of the pipes and unclogs drains. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.

Will Coca Cola unclog a drain?

Coke. Coke is a lesser-known fix you can find in your refrigerator. Pour a 2-liter bottle of cola — Pepsi, Coke, or generic brand substitutes — down the clogged drain. Coke is actually quite caustic and effective at clearing away buildup in your drains, but it’s far milder than commercial drain cleaners.

Why pour peroxide down drain?

Hydrogen peroxide dissolves organic matter to loosen and flush away debris such as skin cells. It also disinfects the drain as it works by reducing germs inside your pipes and making your sinks smell fresh and clean.

Can boiling water clear a drain?

Do NOT pour boiling water down your sink or toilet.



This can melt PVC piping and pipe seals, causing serious damage. In addition, using boiling water to clear a clogged toilet can melt the wax ring around the toilet, or even crack the porcelain bowl, leading to a pricey trip to your favorite hardware store.

Can salt and hot water unclog a drain?

Salt & hot water



While hot water can help loosen up debris, coarse salt actually scours the inside of your pipes, removing more material than hot water alone. After removing standing water from the sink, pour about half a cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the hot water.

Can vinegar and baking soda damage pipes?

Vinegar and baking soda together causes an explosive effect, which seemingly removes clogs and obstructions. However, this explosive reaction continues within your pipes which can easily destroy protective coatings on your pipelines and remove any chances of the clog naturally disrupting itself.