As part of the cooling process, your air conditioner removes humidity from the air in your home. This humidity drains out via your air conditioner’s condensate drain line. If there is a clog in this drain line, water can back up and leak out into your home.
You have a condensate drain pan, so you may not think that a leak is a big deal. After all, isn’t that why the pan is there to begin with? But any leak coming from your air conditioner is a sign that it’s time to schedule AC service in Mountain, GA. You can keep reading to learn more about condensate drain clogs and why they are a problem worth addressing immediately.
What is a Condensate Drain?
Your air conditioner has a condensate drain that allows water to flow from inside your air conditioner outside of your home. The question is, why is there water in your air conditioner? It’s part of the dehumidification process. There is humidity in the air, and higher levels of humidity can make your home feel warmer than it really is. In the summer, this is a problem.
As part of the cooling process, your air conditioner helps to remove some of the moisture from the air to reduce humidity levels. This moisture condenses into droplets that collect in the condensate drain line and then leave your home.
When you have problems with the condensate drain line, there are two possible problems. The first is that water can leak out and cause damage to the surrounding areas of your air conditioner and home. The other potential problem is that the water simply sits in the drain and re-evaporates into your air, making the air more humid.
Condensate Drain Clogs
Unfortunately, water is not the only thing entering your condensate drain line. Inevitably some particles of dust and dirt also get trapped in the moisture and make their way into the drain line. Even though these particles are very tiny, they can stick to the sides of the drain pipe and attract other particles until they form a clog.
The moist, dark drain line is also the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Once the spores arrive, they can spread quickly and contribute to a clog. When water cannot pass through your drain line and outside, it backs up into your home. You may not think a small leak is a huge deal, but it’s definitely worth getting checked out by an expert.
Preventing Condensate Drain Clogs
The good news is, you can take steps each month to prevent condensate drain clogs from ever happening. When you change your air filter, take a minute to open the closet where the indoor portion of your air conditioner is and locate the condensate drain line.
It should be a small pipe that sticks up with a screw-on cap. Take the cap off and pour a little bit of vinegar in. This will help to clear out dust and dirt, as well as helping to prevent mold and mildew. Just put the cap back on when you’re done and complete this task again in a month.
Your Comfort Is OUR Business. Contact the team at Snellville Heating today to schedule an appointment for AC service.
