A central air conditioner or heat pump not only cools the air in your home, it extracts moisture from the air which makes the air feel cooler and keeps your home comfortable. The moisture collects (or condenses) on the coils inside the air handler which is the unit inside your home. The condensate drips into a drip pan and is carried away by gravity through the condensate line which is typically a white PVC pipe.
Depending on where your system is installed, the condensate flows by gravity into a drain or outside the home, or it may flow into a small sump pump. The sump pump is activated by a float switch and pumps the condensate safely out of your house.
On occasion, your condensate line can become clogged. This is usually due to an accumulation of dust and dirt or algae growth. Whatever the cause, a clogged condensate line should be cleared. Otherwise, the condensate will overflow and can cause damage to walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and your personal property. In some locations, up to a gallon of water per hour will accumulate so you should get the clogged condensate line cleared before all that water causes damage to your home.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to clear a condensate line. Sometimes just blowing through the line is enough to dislodge the clog. If not, try using compressed air or a shop vac to clear the line. A small plumber’s snake will also usually do the trick. If you still can’t clear the line, call a good local HVAC contractor.
