[ormondac]

What do you guys use to clear out a condensate drain? Is there an easy way?

 

[sdeery]

The condensate drain is cleaned out because they clog with algae growth. There is a couple of ways to clear a clog. You can put a wet vac on the pipe on the outside of your house and sucks the clog out. Or you can do get a drainblaster 2000 from Shawn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQqlg6w3iww
If its really bad or a chronic problem you might want to consider an E-Z trap that has cleanout points built in to it.

 

[ryand]

use drain dawg you wont be disappointed

 

[emcoasthvacr]

getcha a Uniweld Sludge blaster

I use Nitrogen to blow out condensate lines, purge line sets when brazing, and pressure testing -- only real professionals use these procedures.

The old school guys normally use R 22 to blow out condensate lines & pressurize line sets -- extremely foolish, and I wouldn't be surprised to see guys like Mark Beiser, Dash, & Robotech use this set-up

 

[ar_hvac_man]

22 is too expensive for that anymore.

Nitro or CO2 usually, sometimes a shop vac.

 

[youngunnintech]

i agree....22 is to expensive to use on condensate drains now..lol....but nitrogen or a shop vac is wat i ve always used

 

[smoke]

If its really bad or a chronic problem you might want to consider an E-Z trap that has cleanout points built in to it.

Those EZ Traps are nice. I just swiped the brush that comes in the kit and stuck it in my tool bag. A nice round bristled brush made just for 3/4" pvc on a 18" flexible shaft.
The only problem I've come across with just blowing compressed gas down a drain is it tends to blow a nice hole through the middle of the clog since it's still "glued" to the walls of the pipe.

I've see other things in the clog like hair and dirt. Anything that makes it's way to the coil can rinse down the drain with the condensate.

Please do not make p-traps out of 90* elbows. I'm tired of cutting them out.
(you don't have to admit it out loud)

~smoke~

 

[scottsacavsfan]

This is what i use
Its a little big but you can use it for more then one task
Drain clearing
pilot tubes
pressure testing
blowing out power supplys
blowing circut boards
pissing off cats
pissing off small dogs
keep your toes cool on a roof
and if you ever get a flat its better then using freon

http://www.oemregs.com/detail.asp?ID=12

 

[ohiobuckeyefan]

i have the refillable nitrogen cylinder also. i never really liked it. i know that most techs dont care for it, but i have never had a problem with it.....the wagner gallo gun. its small, easy to use and does the job i need it to. i dont expect it to flush a long, long drain. but an easy short drain and a trap, no problemo. jmho

 

[partime59]

cadilac vac

 

[doglips]

one guy I worked with showed me what I belive is the very best condensate drain cleaner I have ever use....I only use it for airhandlers that are in the grage..or neartile floors..no carpet.

Got to Home Depot..lowes...they sell for under $2 a 3/4" pvc to garden hose adapter...I also buy a ball valve for it so its a one man job.....

Cut the PVC drain line...hook the hose to it....let it flow I let it run for a few min or until water is flowing freely and clear..any pulseing and u still got slime....it will blow out the chunky stuff no problem....

I then use a shop vac...I like the "stinger" its a small light weight $30 wet/dry vac...hook it to drain line leading into condensor....take covers off.. THIS IS A BIG STEP...Ive skiped it and had call backs....use a cheap paint (mastic).brush...I picked up a small flat plastic one......put a little bleach into the drain pan and a few quick scrubs with the brush..while vac is running...then use shop vac and clean out pan ...I also flip the hose to blow side of vac and then blow out the line to the drain pan incase any chuncks of slime have goten stuck in the hard to reach part of the drain pan..drain area.

I found that this works great.

NOW if IF IF I dont want to risk any water on the floor type situation...hardwood floors and airhandelr in hall way closet...I use the shop vac hooked up outside....do the bleach..pan cleaning as above... IF IF IF Im not getting clog to free...cut line at airhandler...pour some pool clorine in the line leading outside..not into the drain pan.....let it sit for 5min and turn vac on...then bring vac up and do drain line leading to airhandler the same way I mentioned above.


1 word of caution...for appartments..condos..or other situations were drain line goes into a common pipe...found appartments use 2 or 3" PVC main "stack"....if that is cloged...hose will fill it up...then rise and come out of the airhandler upstairs.....that was a learning experience...luckly airhandler was in closet of a bathroom with vinal floors.....soooo easy clean up..and no damnage.

 

[-459FZPE]

The old school guys normally use R 22 to blow out condensate lines & pressurize line sets -- extremely foolish

You mean lazy a** guys.

 

[ormondac]

Thanks, Lot of good ideas, except R22 lol

 

[HVAC2B]

water hose and nozzle,through the house to the outdoor spicket.......yeah you heard it
then go outside and turn off water after drain is cleared
go back in attic and undo nozzle,and it will pull a siphon to clear full drain pan !!!!!!

 

[coolguysfl]

I've been to more than 1 rodeo...

Pressurizing a drain from inside is seriously bad mojo.

Until you've blown a poorly glued joint apart in an attic or in an air handler plenum... you just haven't had a good day.

PLAN B.
Use a Sludge Sucker. It works incredibly well.

http://www.uniweld.com/catalog/nitrogen_co2_equipment/sludge_sucker.htm

 

[rkscott7]

Wet Vac

I agree with the last post the best and safest way is to suck it out with a wet vac those battery powered dewalts rock because they are so portable.

 

[-459FZPE]

I agree with the last post the best and safest way is to suck it out with a wet vac those battery powered dewalts rock because they are so portable.

Do they have a lot of power, I want one but was unsure of the power of them

 

[ar_hvac_man]

Pressurizing a drain from inside is seriously bad mojo.

Until you've blown a poorly glued joint apart in an attic or in an air handler plenum... you just haven't had a good day.

Or in a wall cavity.

 

[coolguysfl]

Do they have a lot of power, I want one but was unsure of the power of them

The power is proportional to both the pressure you apply & the additional water you put in the drain pan. The source of power is either nitrogen or C02, it pulls a venturi effect on the drain. Certainly a shop vac has always been a good tool, but when you look at stringing extension cords & lugging it around - this is superior in ease of use & performance. We found better "cleaning" of the drain as the water still in the drain, plus slime & debris (plus chemical agents you can pour in the drain pan) all act as a physical ram to move garbage along vs the old nitrogen blow out that only proved to punch a hole in the softest area of the blockage resulting in call back after call back once even the smallest amount of slime made its way down the drain.

Note of caution -- watch where you aim it, you're about to blow a snot ball across the parking lot.

 

[-459FZPE]

The power is proportional to both the pressure you apply & the additional water you put in the drain pan. The source of power is either nitrogen or C02, it pulls a venturi effect on the drain. Certainly a shop vac has always been a good tool, but when you look at stringing extension cords & lugging it around - this is superior in ease of use & performance. We found better "cleaning" of the drain as the water still in the drain, plus slime & debris (plus chemical agents you can pour in the drain pan) all act as a physical ram to move garbage along vs the old nitrogen blow out that only proved to punch a hole in the softest area of the blockage resulting in call back after call back once even the smallest amount of slime made its way down the drain.

Note of caution -- watch where you aim it, you're about to blow a snot ball across the parking lot.

I have used one of these before, I was wondering more about the DeWalt Vac. Thanks though, Good information about it.