How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain Pipe

Turn off the power to your air conditioner. Remove the drain pan located beneath the drain pipe.

Check for any blockage on the end of the drain pipe that runs into the drain pan. Remove any debris such as dirt, sticks or insects stuck in the end of the pipe.

Use a plastic snake to remove any obstructions through the body of the pipe. Run the snake from the top of the pipe, entering through the vent tee, T-shaped joint with an open area at the top to vent air through the pipe. The small rotating brush at the end of the snake should clear any clogging material from the pipe.

Remove tough to dislodge clogs by attaching a wet/dry vacuum to the end of the drainpipe. Remove the filter from the vacuum before attaching. Turn on the vacuum and suck the clog out.

Mix a solution consisting of 1/4 cup of bleach to 1/2 gallon of water in a jar. Place a funnel into the vent tee and pour the bleach solution through the pipe to wash away any dirt missed by the pipe cleaner.

Replace the drain pan at the bottom of the drain pipe and then return power to the air conditioner.