How to Clean a Trane Condensate Pipe

Clogged condensate drains can cause mold and mildew to enter your home.

Clogged Trane air conditioner condensation drains prevent the air conditioner from removing humidity from the home and decrease the efficiency of the air conditioning unit. Clogged air condensate pipes also send unhealthy mold and mildew odors and spores into the home. Mold and mildew from clogged condensate pipes reduces the quality of air in the home, which can lead to allergies. Removing clogs as well as the buildup of mold and mildew is something you can do yourself and save the costs of a service call.

Things You'll Need

• Canned air
• Spray bottle
• Chlorine bleach
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Locate the drain pipe as it comes either into a floor drain or outdoors near the central air conditioning unit. The condensate drain is usually a narrow piece of PVC pipe.

2. Spray the canned air into the pipe to remove any clogs by debris such as leaves and dirt. Avoid shaking the can while you're spraying the compressed air. Shaking the can causes the air to freeze and obstructs airflow from the can.

3. Mix a solution of half water and half chlorine bleach into a spray bottle. Spray the solution up the drain pipe to remove mold and mildew buildup. Bleach is highly acidic and breaks down mold and mildew buildup in the condensate pipes and other areas of the home, leading to improved air quality in the home.

4. Rinse the chlorine solution with a garden hose. Rinsing with a garden hose prevents chlorine from taking over the home. Chlorine odors can aggravate people with respiratory ailments and allergies.

References

• Danny Lipford: AC Drain Cleanout
• Frugal Dad: How to Unclog Air Conditoner Drain