If you don’t own a wet/dry vac, you can rent one from most large home improvement stores, or purchase one for anywhere between $25 and $550. More expensive models are designed for heavy use by contractors and home renovators. For a job like unclogging an AC drain line, a cheaper model should work well enough.
If you cannot find the correct switch, turn on the AC system’s fan at your thermostat. Then flip switches in your fuse box one by one until you find one that turns the fan off.
Alternatively, you can find where the condensate line exits your house. Look for a PVC pipe, approximately 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) in diameter, poking out of your house’s exterior wall. It will most likely be located near the outside unit of your AC system. [4] X Research source If you’re having trouble finding the access point to the drain line, refer to the owner’s manual for your particular AC unit.
Experiment with different hose attachments to see which one will give you the strongest suction. Hose attachments that fit in or around the end of the condensate drain line with the smallest gap will work best. [6] X Research source Before starting the wet/dry vac, remove its paper air filter, so it doesn’t get ruined. [7] X Research source Alternatively, use an AC drain brush and CO2 drain gun to remove the clog.
To determine if you’ve sucked the clog out of the drain line, open your wet/dry vac so you can see the inside of the tank. If you’ve successfully sucked out the clog, you will see solid chunks of mold and mildew in the tank. If you don’t see this, reattach the hose to the drain line and try again. If your wet/dry vac has a drain located at the bottom of its tank, simply position your tank over a household drain and unscrew the cap.
Monitor the drain line of your AC unit over the next several days and weeks to make sure water is draining properly.
Remove any debris from the drain pan on a regular basis, as well. Empty your drain pan daily during warm-weather months if there’s standing water.
You can purchase these tablets at most major retailers and home improvement stores. The tablets in the drain pan will treat the water before it flows into the condensation drain line, helping to prevent the growth of slime and sludge inside the drain line. You may need to add tablets as frequently as every month.
Follow the directions printed on the package of the specific tablets you purchase. A lot of algae build-up occurs during cool-weather months when you don’t use your air conditioner, when there’s no steady flow of water running through the lines.
Since bleach is a liquid, it won’t work quite as effectively as the chlorine tablets, which dissolve gradually and coat the inside of the drain line.
