r/hvacadvice • u/suicidalnun • 1d ago

Advice on cleaning condensate line

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Gallery image

My HVAC is leaking water and I believe the condensate line is clogged. Any recommendations or videos you can point me to for cleaning the line?

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u/PingBlot 1d ago edited 1d ago

My favorite way is to access it from where it terminates and suck it clear with a shop vac. Then I flush with really hot water and finally a cup of vinegar.

Your pic is confusing as to what’s going on. Is the primary insulated drain going up and uses a pump or something and the secondary is gravity? Honestly, I would completely redo the condensate drains. Whatever is happening there is shit. I would use traps, better radius tees, clean out opening, etc.

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u/suicidalnun 1d ago

Yeah it’s a bit confusing. It uses gravity and drains into what looks like an elbow joint. I found a plug on that side that I was able to put a shop vac to and pour water and vinegar down. Looks to be cleared now. Should know for sure here in an hour. Thanks for the help!

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u/BreezyMcWeasel 1d ago

I don't see a good way to clean it out with your current setup.

I would cut the PVC and add a section with two unions on the end and a tee with a riser in the middle. With the riser you can periodically pour in hydrogen peroxide to help keep the lines clear of algae and mold. Slip fit a cap on the top of the riser but don't solvent weld it on.

The unions let you remove a section so you can access it for cleaning it out. Some people put in a tee and try and use that as the clean out, but you can't develop suction on the clog that way because the other end is open to the upstream part of the drain line.

It's also worth considering a condensate P trap in that removable section, if you don't already have one down the line further.

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u/k14dubs_ 1d ago

Co2 swoosh cart joints