Your A/C extracts water from the air and sends it outdoors through the built-in drainage system.
You may notice unpleasant odors, mold growth that degrades your indoor air quality, or even damage to your HVAC equipment.
Learn how to deal with three of the most common drainage system issues, so you can avoid messy cleanups, prevent costly repairs, and maintain a healthier air supply. Like a kitchen sink trap, your condensate drain system probably has a trap. By using the air conditioner regularly, water that’s retained in the trap forms a seal that prevents sewer gas odors from entering your home. The drain line may not be installed properly if you notice a foul smell when the A/C is running. Dust and dirt particles that get into the air handler and build up on the evaporator coil will be carried into the drainage system with the condensate. All that debris will eventually clog the drain. You can prevent this by changing your air filter regularly, but you should also have the evaporator professionally cleaned annually. Mold and algae thrive in condensate drain systems because of warmth, moisture, and organic particles. Overgrowth of either can clog up your drain line and cause a condensate backup that can cause water damage to your home. In addition to circulating throughout the air supply via the ductwork, mold can also clog up the evaporator coil, restrict essential system airflow, and damage equipment. Regularly flush out the drain lines and clean the pan to avoid these problems.