The hot summer days in St. Louis also bring with them increased humidity levels in your home, causing your air conditioner to work even harder than normal. During the sweltering heat, your air conditioner needs to be in top condition in order to meet the demands of your household. It needs all parts to be functioning properly, and this includes the condensate drain.
Aside from the ability to cool a home, your air conditioner also has the ability to remove moisture from the air in order to lower humidity levels. This is done using the air conditioner’s condensate drain. The condensate drain system cools down your home by removing the excess condensed water from the air conditioner and letting it out outdoors through a small drain trap. However, when this system is not working properly, you can experience a range of problems.
How to Deal with Condensate Drain Issues
Here are the most common issues you will encounter with your air conditioner’s condensate drain, and what you need to do to deal with them:
- Drain trap issues: Your air conditioner’s condensate drain comes with a U-shaped trap located near the air handler. It functions the same way as the trap below your kitchen sink. The trap allows water to flow out of the air conditioning system. However, there are instances when this trap dries out during the colder months or when the air conditioner has not been used quite as often. It can also have some form of obstruction that prevents water from flowing out of the unit. You should regularly check that the condensate drain is free from any algae or sediment buildup to prevent issues.
- Mold growth: When the drain trap dries out, mold spores can grow in it. This growth can infiltrate your ductwork, reducing the indoor air quality in your home. When this happens, you should seek the help of an HVAC company to clean out the drain and prevent mold spores from growing.
- Flooding: Aside from mold, algae can also form along the condensate drain. This can cause the water to go back to where it came from, overflowing the pan, and causing water damage in your home. To prevent damage to your air conditioner unit, drywall, and flooring, you need to catch the blockage during its early stages and remove it. An early sign of a clogged condensate drain is the presence of standing water in the drain pan. Empty out the pan and pour bleach down the drain to break down the obstruction. Another alternative is to attach your vacuum into the pipe from outside the house to suck the gunk out. Make sure to routinely flush the condensate drain using an algaecide to prevent future flooding.
Find a Professional to Fix Your AC Unit’s Condensate Drain Problems
Galmiche & Sons has been serving the St. Louis area in the HVAC industry for more than 60 years now, and within that span of time, we have built a reputation for providing quality air conditioner repair solutions. We can confidently handle condensate drain issues of any kind and have your air conditioner working again quickly.
If you suspect problems with your AC condensate drain, call us today at 314-993-1110 to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment with our heating and air conditioning experts!
