AC drain line maintenance

I used bleach gel (sometimes called no splash bleach) available from Walmart for over a decade.

I put one or to of those tablets in the pan per the recommended schedule. Be sure to treat the evaporator unit pan and not the overflow pan.

I use a couple cups of vinegar monthly during the cooling season (March-Nov) poured into the vent tube. I started using the industrial strength vingear (49% acetic acid vs household vingear, 5% this past year, buy at Home Depot)

But when I have had a blockage in the past, I will use bleach, and the bleach has cleared the stoppage. But that procedure maintains the condensate line downstream of the vent tube. I’ve been fortunate enough though not to have a blockage between the cased primary drain pan beneath the evaporator coil and the vent tube.

The best to way maintain the entire condensate line is to use the enzymatic “anti-slime” tablets placed the primary drain pan twice a year. What’s HVAC techs do with annual or semi annual maintenance plans. You have to remove the cased evaporator coil cover to do this, usually not that big of a deal particularly if it’s every accessible and you have a large attic (assuming it’s not in a closet), but a little more work/time than pouring vinegar down the vent tube. Often time the cover is taped along the seams (mine is) to prevent cool air leakage, so you need to remove screws & tape, and then re-tape with proper HVAC tape (not regular duct tape).

This a good anti-slime tablet used by HVAC techs



I have given though to installing a IFlow unit (it’s an easy DYI). Reviews are pretty good, it seems to be the most convenient product if it works as advertised.

IFlo Automated HVAC Drain Line Cleaning System

Easy DYI install (check YouTube) and really not that expensive. I’d prefer to install the Pro model which is powered from the air handler/furnace control board as opposed to batteries.

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Bleach, espically routinely using bleach will greatly reduce the life of the coil

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I keep hearing this, especially with the newer aluminum coils, so I am not doubting it at all, but is it the fumes that back up into the coils? how does bleach going down the drain line that is down stream from the evaporator affect the coils that are upstream? and I am honestly asking not trying to be a smart arse

I pour mine directly to the drain line outside the blower. I don't know how bleach could affect the coils, even if it backs up a bit to the pan under the coils.