Some people say bleach, some say vinegar, what does the brain trust say works best?

Can you use commercial drain cleaner that is mostly a strong acid?

They typically are clogged with some mixture of algae and other living crud. I'm sure bleach would kill it if you can get it filled up. but getting all the crud to let go and flush out is another matter.

If accessible, I'd be inclined to just replace it. Vinyl tube is pretty cheap.

Chimicals (vinegar) are for maintenance.

Clogged drains are going to require one of the following;
1. Blowing out with air compressor or N2
2. Sucking it out with a shop vac
3. Running a drain brush/snake through the line
4. Cutting the plugged section out, clean it and then re-install it
5. Replace the line

The line is PVC and is inaccessible except for the top where the cap goes in to add cleaner and the elbow the float is attached to

I was actually going to ask the same question but for just routine maintenance so that they don't get clogged.

We have 5 mini-splits in our home and I do the full cleaning on them once a year (just got through - 6 hour job) I have never messed with the drains on these but am thinking I need to... what's the best to send down the line and would buying some type of compressed air blower be worth it?

For a clog you can get an adapter for your shop vac that will fit the drain line for less then $10.00 at the big box stores. They work great at clearing the clog, just plug it on and turn the shop vac on.

I used to use bleach in my drain lines as preventative maintenance but I switched over to vinegar based on advice from excam-man.

Air compressor with rubber tip attachment.
I’ve had to unclog ours every couple years.

Shop vac/compressed air if you can. Many HVAC people that I've ran into on job sites suggest hydrogen peroxide as well.

Get something flexible and try to snake it down a little. I would not use bleach if possible.
Once you get it flowing you can pour a cleaner but try physically removing the clog first.

Bleach will not hurt a thing . Compressed air to clear a clog and bleach for maintenance .

Mine clogged up about 5 years ago. Negligence on my part. Used a vac to suck out the drain line and cleaned out the trap. Now beginning of every summer I pour about a cup of bleach down the AC drain. Been running like a champ ever since.

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
Shop vac/compressed air if you can. Many HVAC people that I've ran into on job sites suggest hydrogen peroxide as well.

Our HVAC guy sucked out some of the backed up water added peroxide and let it chill in there for a bit added a little more water then sucked it all out with the shop vac.
He then put a rubber adapter on the air compressor and blasted out the clog.

There was a weird bend in the PVC causing an easy section to clog.
He cut that out and added a float switch so the unit will shut off now in case of a clog.

Thanks for the reminder as I have not cleaned mine out since the issue last year.

I always put a 3/4" PVC union in the line and just open it up and blow the plug out.

If I do it a couple of times a year its preventive maintenance if I forget then its a mess when it plugs off and backs up and soaks the carpet.

Did the same with my mother-inlaws ac line only I'd cut it and just connect it back with a coupling until I ran out of places to cut and connect back with a coupling. Thats when I finally cleaned it up and added the unions to hers and mine.

That reminds me I haven't done it this year. Guess I will go give the line a blow now!

I've used thick Weed Whip line to use as a clean out tool - Stays very stiff and can get in where many other augers can't.

If the drain line ties into the drain line on a sink in the house (commonly done), cover your sink drain prior to blowing out with a compressor.

Mine runs through the slab, I break up an efferent (24 for $1 dollar tree) then follow up with 2 cups of vinegar. If needed add baking soda the vinegar and cap off quickly with a sturdy cap!

I put a tee and valve in mine to use the air compressor when it plugs. Just remember, if you have a galvanized pan and pour bleach into the pan it will corrode the metal. Make sure to rinse it well.

I like to use the 2 part Liquid Plumr foam. Pour one of the chemicals into the drain and let it get far enough down the drain so that when you pour the other chemical in and they react with each other, it's in the right spot.

I was told for a stopped drain, go outside and use a shop vacuum to suck the line clear. My neighbor just did this and some nasty stuff came out of their drain line. It was clogged bad.

I flush my line every two to three weeks with plain water to make sure it is staying clear.
This is what I use in the drain line every other month.

AC Line Cleaner for Air Conditioner Drain Lines - By Web
https://www.homedepot.com/p/We...005#product-overview

This is what works for me your situation may be different.
Good luck

I cut my condensate drain line and added a " Jones Valve " . If the drain plugs up I don't have to take anything apart to blow it out .