How to Solve Common Condensate Drain Issues

During the normal cooling process, your central air conditioner removes moisture from the air as it travels across the evaporator coil. If everything is working properly, that liquid is expelled outdoors via the built-in condensate drain system.

Knowing what to do when the following problems develop with the drainage system can help you protect your family’s health and avoid extra maintenance and repair costs.

Dried Out Drain Trap

Usually, the drainage system on an A/C ties into a home’s sewer line and it’s equipped with a U-shaped trap to retain just enough water to prevent malodorous sewer gas backups. If you smell a unpleasant odor on startup when your A/C hasn’t been used for a while, the water has likely evaporated from the trap.

As draining water fills the trap, the odor should go away on its own. If it doesn’t, have an HVAC professional check whether the drain line has sufficient incline.

Unchecked Mold Growth

Your condensate drain system offers the ideal conditions for mold growth; warmth, moisture and a steady supply of organic particles. Mold can begin to flourish in the system’s collector pan and/or drain lines, then spread into the air ducts and circulate throughout your home. A severe mold problem can eventually clog up the evaporator coil and obstruct vital system airflow.

To keep mold from gaining a foothold, schedule yearly HVAC maintenance, and flush the drain line and clean the collector pan regularly. If the A/C is already overrun with mold, you may need to have the cooling system and ductwork cleaned and sanitized professionally.

Blockages and Floods

The collector pan located under your air handler is also the ideal environment for algae growth. From there, algae can spread into the drain line and form a clog. When condensate can’t drain away freely and overflows the pan, you can face a mess and costly water damage repairs. Keeping the pan clean and flushing the drain line periodically is the easiest way to prevent any damage.

For help solving A/C condensate drain issues in your Middletown home, contact the pros at C.R. Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about condensate drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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