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Started By
Message
AC drain question
Posted on 5/26/24 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 5/26/24 at 6:55 pm
I noticed a 5 second drip from my over flow line.
I turned my AC off went in the attic and my main pan was empty.
Is this just humidity related ?
I turned my AC off went in the attic and my main pan was empty.
Is this just humidity related ?
8
Posted on 5/26/24 at 7:04 pm to bopper50
Following.
Posted on 5/26/24 at 7:18 pm to bopper50
Your air conditioner probably drains into one of your P traps up in the attic. The drain pan is just an overflow
Posted on 5/26/24 at 7:22 pm to bopper50
I had a similar issue and it was a clog at the pipe where it comes out from the coils. Easy fix.
Posted on 5/26/24 at 7:35 pm to Napoleon
Shoot some compressed air into the drain line close to your main pan(inside the evap). You’ll have to take the panel off
This post was edited on 5/26/24 at 7:36 pm
Posted on 5/26/24 at 7:52 pm to Howyouluhdat
Thanks for the replies.
I have a A/C guy coming by tomorrow and check things out.
I have a A/C guy coming by tomorrow and check things out.
Posted on 5/26/24 at 8:39 pm to bopper50
Put a shop vac on your primary (from the outside) to clean it out. If it drains into a sanitary line or vent, use bleach or hvac safe alternative to clear the line.
This post was edited on 5/26/24 at 8:44 pm
Posted on 5/27/24 at 5:59 am to bopper50
Your AC pan is the overflow for when the pipe backs up.
Posted on 5/27/24 at 7:06 am to bopper50
If you have hot water tanks in the attic make sure it’s not the drain for one of those pans that you see dripping.
Posted on 5/28/24 at 7:46 am to bopper50
quote:
Thanks for the replies. I have a A/C guy coming by tomorrow and check things out.
I’m not saying never call anyone, but keeping a clear AC condensate line should be homeowner 101 very close to changing an air filter, plunging a toilet, replacing a toilet fill valve or flapper, etc.
You need to figure out where it runs and how it drains, outside or into your house.
People hate on using bleach in them I’ve heard AC guys say over and over ‘you should see the inside of the pipes I’ve seen from using bleach”. That’s bullshite, PVC is used on pools with, gasp, bleach non stop for years and years and years. Pouring a cup of diluted bleach or less once a month for 8 months of the year isn’t going to damage pvc. Just rinse it and don’t let it sit.
As said OP the drain pan is the back up. It could also be clogged. You just have basic pvc non pressurized drain pipes and they have PTraps with water that sits in them and algae forms over time and other crap like grime, dirt, and construction material can gather in them.
Posted on 5/28/24 at 6:12 pm to bopper50
quote:
Thanks for the replies.
I have a A/C guy coming by tomorrow and check things out.
So, how'd it go?
Posted on 5/28/24 at 6:37 pm to baldona
Is there a better solution? Something that’s slow acting? My attic is a serious pain to get to and during the summer that line steers to back up fast.
Posted on 6/1/24 at 7:30 pm to bopper50
quote:
Thanks for the replies.
I have a A/C guy coming by tomorrow and check things out.
So, how'd it go?
You gonna leave us all hanging? a-hole?
Posted on 6/4/24 at 6:53 pm to bopper50
Hey a-hole. What did the AC guy say when you called him out. What was the resolution? I see you online.
Posted on 6/4/24 at 10:40 pm to Zakatak
quote:
If you have hot water tanks in the attic make sure it’s not the drain for one of those pans that you see dripping.
Check this first.
Posted on 6/5/24 at 6:37 am to deeprig9
quote:
What did the AC guy say
He said water is supposed to drip out of the condensate drain.
Posted on 6/5/24 at 8:43 am to Red Boarman
quote:
He said water is supposed to drip out of the condensate drain.
I was going to say this.
When OP said a drip from his overflow but his pan was empty I figured OP was confused. The pan is the emergency overflow. It should only get water when the condensate line from the evaporator coil becomes plugged. Thus water over flows from the coil into the overflow pan below it.
I think OP may have a condensate line that is not plumbed into the home's sewer. It may just be drained to the outside of the house. Which if so, to see it drip is normal.
In the south, I'd be more concerned if it wasn't dripping.
Posted on 6/5/24 at 10:45 am to southern686
quote:
I think OP may have a condensate line that is not plumbed into the home's sewer. It may just be drained to the outside of the house. Which if so, to see it drip is normal.
In the south, I'd be more concerned if it wasn't dripping.
Oh...goodness. OP you meant on the outside of your house? Yeah that's an important detail and yes that's very normal. So normal, that I'd have thought an HVAC company would tell you that over the phone if they got the details of your issue over the phone before just showing up.
Posted on 6/5/24 at 10:48 am to lighter345
quote:
Is there a better solution? Something that’s slow acting? My attic is a serious pain to get to and during the summer that line steers to back up fast.
Yep. They sell pan tablets. The only issue is you are supposed to put them inside your pan. I've put them in my condensate lines. AC guys don't recommend that because you are "blocking" your drain. Which is true, but if they are mostly open and you are just getting a slow drip of water then it really "shouldn't" be an issue.
I have actually purchased and used some that are supposed to last for 3 months. I can't say much on them as I don't have much experience.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 10:02 am to baldona
quote:
People hate on using bleach in them I’ve heard AC guys say over and over ‘you should see the inside of the pipes I’ve seen from using bleach”.
I think the bigger risk of using bleach might be if the solution flows back to the coil and makes contact. Is copper more resistant to bleach than vinegar? That would be the more important question.
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