How to Troubleshoot an Air Conditioner Drain

An air conditioner creates a great amount of condensate during the cooling process. The air conditioner collects the water in a drain pan that drains from the house through a drain line. The drain should be cleaned every year to prevent the buildup of algae. Algae clogging the drain line causes water to leak from the unit. If the drain begins leaking, troubleshoot both the drain pan and the drain line for clogs.

Nut driver
Wet/dry vacuum
Bleach

Instructions

- 1
  Open the cover to the air handler in the house by removing the screws with a nut driver. The air handler is the part of the air conditioner inside that circulates the air, containing the motor and the blower unit. It is often located in the basement.
- 2
  Look underneath the air handler for the drain pan. If it is filled with water, remove it.
- 3
  Lift the drain pan to remove it from the brackets. Pour the water from the drain pan and clean it with diluted bleach to remove any algae.
- 4
  Find the end of the drain line outside the home.
- 5
  Remove the paper air filter from a wet/dry vacuum.
- 6
  Place the hose of the vacuum on the end of a drain line and turn on the vacuum for two to three seconds. This will remove any algae from the drain line.
- 7
  Find the drain line access hole inside the house. Pour a cup of bleach into the access hole. This will kill any other algae in the line.

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