Clog-buster for A/C systems
If your home has central air, now's the time to make sure the system is operating properly--before the cooling season kicks into high gear.
One of the most important maintenance tasks you can perform is clearing clogs from the A/C unit's condensate drain line. If you don't, water will back up the line and eventually spill out of the overflow pan, resulting in a huge, soggy, costly mess.
Trouble is, there's never been an easy way for homeowners to clear the drain line themselves. That is, until now.
Mighty Pump, which was just introduced a couple of months ago, is an ingeniously simple hand pump that's specifically designed for clearing condensate drain lines.
It's fast, effective, and powerful enough to blast out the most stubborn clogs. And it doesn't require any electricity. Here's how it works:
The Mighty Pump looks a bit like a bicycle-tire pump on steroids. It has a huge piston that's about 3 inches diameter x 14 inches long, a T-shaped handle, and two 3 1/2-foot-long hoses.
One hose is on the inlet (vacuum) side of the piston, the other is on the outlet (exhaust) side. That allows you to either suck out or blow out the clogs.
In most cases, it's easier to attach the vacuum hose to the end of the drain line, which is typically located outside the house.
Each time you pull up on the handle, the pump draws water from the line--along with any accumulation of slime, algae, mildew and bacteria--and pushes it out the exhaust hose.
If you can't access the end of the drain line, then use the Mighty Pump to push out clogs and stagnant water. Here's how:
Go to the air handler, which is usually mounted in the attic or utility closet, and cut into the drain line. Attach the outlet hose to the drain line and start pumping.
Each time you push down on the pump's handle, a blast of air will force out the clog. When you're done, splice the cut drain line back together with a short length of rubber tubing.
The Mighty Pump is available on-line for about $70. (That's less than you'd pay for a single service call by an HVAC technician.)
Posted by Joseph Truini | Categories: Hand Tools, HVAC, Quick Fixes & Tips | Permalink
(3) Comments
I don't leave my shop without my Mighty Pump. I got my pump at acdrainpump.com.
I cleaned mine out with a little drain cleaner.
Preventing overflow and water damage is one area where homeowners and a/c techs should go all out!
A number of companies make treatment chemicals that help keep the lines clean. This pump's another good tool.
Also, ask your tech to install a water sensing switch (in the large emergency drain pan under the air handling unit) that shuts the system off in the case of overflow.
Just as important, insist that the emergency pan be made of plastic, like the one at www.heatpumppad.com. Especially in the South, techs throw in metal pans that rust through...no justifiable reason for that.
Believe me, it's not a good feeling having water come through your ceiling!