Do you know some secret superheroes in your house working hiddenly but are extremely important? You’ll not be amused to hear that one of those components is your air conditioner drain, also known as a condensate drain.
The condensate drain collects the moisture or condensate that is sucked out of the air by your air conditioner as it cools your home.
If everything is working properly, you will only notice a pipe outside your house with a slow drip.
We’ve always seen the AC’s drain line outside the house and continuously dripping water.
This drain line is an important part of the whole mechanism as its destruction can cause serious troubles. When air flows over the duct, it serves as an escape route for moisture collected by the evaporator loop.
The battery extracts moisture from the air and converts it to water.
Water flows into the drain vessel, enters the drainpipe, flows through the drain line, and is deposited outside at the air conditioning system’s outdoor unit.
Today in this guide, we’ll mention everything you need to know about the air conditioner drain line outside the house.
After getting all the details, issues, and solutions, you’ll end up having various ideas to protect your cooling system.
How does the AC condensation process work?
You need to know the mechanism of action behind whatever appliance you are using. Following the four steps mentioned below will let you know the mechanism of how the air conditioner condensation process runs.
- The air conditioner draws hot, humid air into the indoor unit and forces it over the evaporator coils.
- The heat from this air is absorbed and transported out by a substance known as refrigerant.
- When hot and humid air strikes the evaporator loops, water collects in the air on the loops and drips into a container beneath the evaporator loops.
- After collecting in the drip tray, the water flows out of your house via the condensate pipe and is discharged via the condensate drain.
What to do when Air Conditioner is Leaking Water Outside of the House?
If you notice a puddle of liquid coming from the air conditioner, water or condensation is most likely.
On the other hand, air conditioners can leak refrigerant, which is the refrigerant used to absorb and transfer heat in an air conditioner.
Refrigerant can leak from an air conditioner due to leaks in refrigerant lines or other components.
A refrigerant leak does not usually cause a puddle that resembles a splash of water around your air conditioning condenser unit because coolant vapor flows out of the leak rather than liquid, which evaporates quickly.
First, keep in mind that a small pool of water that evaporates quickly during normal use is most likely a condensate drain, especially on a hot or humid day.
Larger pools of water that remain after the unit has been turned off are problematic and can be caused by various factors.
Causes, it isn’t just a bunch of words but plays a vital role in solving many problems. Before you take the initiative to troubleshoot any issue, you must dig into the actual cause of any problem.
Detection of the actual or the real cause behind any issue plays an important aspect in eliminating that issue.
Following are some of the most common reasons mentioned that will help you resolve the issue within no time.
Clogged drip pan
The drip tray collects moisture that drains off during cooling and is located beneath the evaporator coils. Moisture should normally flow down the condensate drain line and out of the house.
Cracks or blockages in the drain can clog it, causing water to flow around the indoor unit rather than out. Turn off the electricity and proceed to the condensate boiler.
Remove any standing water with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner and inspect the part for damage or blockages.
Remove any debris accumulated in the drip tray and clean it to remove any algae growth.
It would help if you replaced a crack or damaged drain to prevent water damage to your home and cooling system.
Destruction in the drain line
An air conditioner produces condensation during the cooling process because water vapor condenses to liquid when the air temperature drops.
This water drips from the evaporator loops into a collection trough and exits the housing through the enclosed condensate drain line.
Clogging can form in the drain line due to debris or pipe damage, resulting in puddles that appear to be water leaking from an air conditioner.
Use a wet/dry vacuum on the outside of the drain or insert a long wire brush into the opening to clean the condensate drain line once more.
If you cannot clear the blockages and restore proper drainage, or if you discover damage to the drain line that requires replacement, contact your plumbing contractor.
Flush the drainpipe with water and bleach once a month to prevent clogging.
The evaporator coil gets frozen.
The evaporator coils in the system can freeze for a variety of reasons. Poor airflow due to a clogged air filter or a low refrigerant level that prevents heat absorption are both common causes.
Excess water can be flushed into the condensate drain line when the ice melts on the coils, resulting in an outdoor AC leak.
If the batteries freeze, turn off the cooling unit and turn on the thermostat’s fan to circulate hot air over them. Examine the air filter and, if necessary, replace it.
If you can’t find the source of the frozen coils, or if the coils keep freezing, call a plumber to have the air conditioner repaired.
How To Clean Air Conditioner Drain Line Outside House?
Maintaining and taking care of your devices has always helped increase the efficiency of your appliances even after so long.
If you want your device to provide you with long-term companionship, you must focus on routine cleaning your appliances and their parts.
If you’ve ever looked closely at your air conditioner, you’ve probably noticed a small drip line on the outside.
This condensate drain is essential for removing condensation produced by your air conditioner’s evaporator loop.
If the pipe is not properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing increased humidity, a musty odor, and water damage in your home.
If your condensate drain system fails, it may impact other parts of your plumbing system. The overall efficiency and service life of the main system may suffer.
Your air conditioner drain, also known as a condensate drain, is a small drip line located outside your home near the location of your air conditioner.
This drain is essential for removing condensation from your air conditioner’s evaporator. Once you’ve located the PVC condensate drain, you can begin plugging it up again to ensure a moisture-free home.
The most significant damage caused by a condensate drain fault, on the other hand, is caused by water that can collect and overflow into the drain vessel.
Some pots and pans are made of metal, which can rust over time. Most air conditioning drains are clogged with an abundance of algae and fungi.
This can lead to clogged pipes as well as increased indoor humidity, which can lead to musty odors and water damage in your home or business.
In any case, the drain tank is usually located indoors, and water leaks of any kind can cause significant damage.
Manually inspect the condensate line for clogging and the drain pan if it is easily accessible. Following, we’ve mentioned some steps to help you know how you would be cleaning your air conditioner drain line outside the house.
Follow these six easier steps mentioned below and ease any dirt debris in your AC’s drainpipe.
- Turn off your plumbing system’s power at the thermostat and switch.
- You’ll need to locate the condensate container if you have an indoor air conditioner in the attic or utility room. This factor is usually found directly beneath the unit. A removable access panel can also be used to conceal it.
- If there is standing water in the sewer, your sewer line is probably clogged. To remove moisture, use a handheld or shop vacuum cleaner. You can also soak up the water with rags. At this point, you can use soap to clean the drain pan.
- You can usually clean clogged drains by vacuuming. If you have a vacuum cleaner, use it to pull the plug through the drain hole near the base of your home. Wrap your hand around the vacuum tube to increase suction and run it for one minute. Then, inspect the vacuum tank to see if the blockage has been removed.
- Then you must locate the drain line’s access point. A T-shaped valve with a PVC cover is common on drains. Check the drain by removing the cover. Flush the drain with distilled vinegar using this connection. If the smell bothers you, you can use peroxide to blow away any remaining dirt gently. Warm water and a drop of detergent can also be used.
- Allow the solution to sit for 30 minutes. Rinse the cord with water to complete the cleaning. Examine the outside of the pipe with an assistant to see if the water flows freely.
What is the average amount of water you should drain from my air conditioner?
The amount of water emitted by an air conditioner varies greatly depending on climate, unit size, humidity, and others.
The evaporator loop in a typical air conditioner sends about 5 liters of water down the drain every day in a dry climate where the relative humidity usually stays below 50%.
However, the sewer can carry up to 20 liters of water in humid climates per day.
In addition to the primary line, some air conditioners have a backup condensate drain line. If water flows from the new drainpipe, it is a sure sign that the condensate tank is flooded.
However, unless your air conditioner has a visible leak, you should not be concerned about the amount of water draining from your condensate drain line.
What do rust stains on the outside wall from your AC drain line mean?
If you notice rust stains running down the outer wall below the emergency drainpipe, you should inspect your home.
This factor sometimes indicates that water has accumulated in the air conditioning system’s emergency drainage vessels for an extended period.
The boiler rusts due to the long-term effect, and rusty water drips slowly down the sidewall. Even if there is no water there now, it is worth checking because it can seep into your home if the boiler rusts through.
Worse, if you don’t show up right away, you’ll start getting mold. In most cases, water will drip from your air conditioner’s primary condensate drain line, which is a PVC bend on the house foundation.
This factor is especially true when humidity levels in your home are high, such as during the Arizona monsoon.
If you notice rust stains in this area, it is a sign that your indoor battery or primary drain is rusting and should be checked.
While rusty coils and pans on older equipment are not uncommon, it is well worth the cost of an inspection to ensure everything is in working order.
Conclusion
We hope you got all the information we added in this guide regarding the air conditioner drain line outside the house.
Due to the mechanism of action it adapted, it is prone to clog and many other issues that can be solved using correct and simpler troubleshooting.
If you are thinking of cleaning your drainpipe or line with the help of vinegar and baking soda solution, stop right there.
It can be more harmful than you can even think. Go for a professional guide, and after detailed research, proceed to fix your hands in these power-operated appliances.
