Erich Vinson joins HVAC school to show how he unclogs a difficult drain and we briefly discuss the aluminum coils drain issue and the MINDSET of proper cleaning.
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Hey in this really short video, our technician, Eric Vincent shows, cleaning, a difficult drain and a couple things to point out here he's showing what happens when you have all aluminum coils in certain applications. We don't see this all the time and in fact the industry doesn't really understand exactly what causes this. But what we found is is that with all aluminum coils we're getting this white sludge that builds up in the drain lines and it builds up really quickly. We're experimenting with different pant tabs, even using things like pieces of copper in the drain.

Pan or some people are using small pieces of silver rod, brazing rod in the drain pan to help mitigate it, and it does seem to help a little bit. But a lot of times it's just a matter of going to sort of the traditional antibacterial pan strips seem to help. Obviously, we use pan and drain spray from refrigeration technologies regularly, but he's showing the importance when you're doing a maintenance, because that's what he's doing a commercial maintenance of not just following a single procedure but continuing to clean the drain line. Until you can tell that it's clean, it's so important that you do that, because in these applications, even though we're cleaning them every six months, if you're not really paying close attention, you could leave something.

That's actually quite backed up so big credit to Eric for following through on this he's, mostly using hot water and running through this big drain. But the primary encouragement is stick with drain lines and drain pans until they are fully cleaned. Everybody wants to do HVAC, especially commercial HVAC, so you got to do commercial, HVAC things this niche and a quarter common drain. Every AC and huge building that entire inch and a quarter pipe is filled with slime that develops from aluminum evaporator coils.

This is going to be amazing. Take I'm gon na push up on that. My handy dandy, broom right. Absolutely it's coming out of that pipe.

So you got ta do HVAC things. That is not even. I don't even know how I'm gon na clean himself yeah yummy. What I've done now, so I resorted to getting water as hard as I can.

This will be a now the fourth time I've got I've put a fitting on the 3/4 pipe. That's feeding the Cinch in a corner, I'm dumping it all down there. With this funnel the last one, I started to hear movement that slime. Let's see if we can get it this time, but it comes out all right.

I've dumped another gallon of hot hot hot water down there. Last time it took about a minute to get some action. Oh I hear it. We got some water movement, it's always a good sign, so keep cleaning those drains do a good job, be thorough with them and make sure that you clean them until they're clean, we'll catch you next time.


19 thoughts on “Cleaning a difficult ac condensate drain”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TheGhettoLobster says:

    The oils that are used when milling the aluminum coils is vegetable based and is the cause of this new build up

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars work in progress says:

    I looked that stuff up once. I think it might be some type of yeast.

    I like to vacuum the end, cap it and soak the line with crud buster for 15mins, then flush. Works well.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff B says:

    Your brick wall is fluttering

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Juan Todolí says:

    Why is this caused by all aluminium evaps is a clearly question to adress to Mr Pastorello.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Louie Garcia says:

    I like to tape my shop vac to the end of the drainline and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Service area Kanata??

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Wootton says:

    Looks like a produce case drain

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bryce Lawmaster says:

    Now that the ac drain is clear whose going to unclog the wash tub drain that he filled with all that slime? Lol

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brendan Fazekas says:

    Dude Iv had drain snot come out like sausage links no joke I will flush and treat the drain until it comes out crystal clear it’s a pain but it’s the only way to be sure and then still you may be back

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kenneth Schammert says:

    Briliant! Im ordering an electric pitcher right now! How is it ive never thought of hot water?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars aliso 1882 says:

    Bryan, Would it be possible to have a representative of the Viper Drain Cleaner discuss with the UTubers viewers how their product measure up to this problem with aluminum evap. coils? Thanks for your informative, valuable videos.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Neil Comparetto says:

    That backdrop makes it look like you’re shooting innn annn earrrrthquaaake!!!!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean O'Neil says:

    Try the Diverstech Easy T clean out kit ET75-KIT. It's the only that works great & it's using water column to clear (I never use nitrogen ) Are you in Orleans ?

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Carl McCoy says:

    Wide angle 90's like used for electrical that are pressure rated at sch40 levels would be nice. I don't like putting pressure in a condensate line for clearing, but if I installed it I would not hesitate. Also a small snake will navigate the wide elbows much better than typical elbows. 10' pvc with the bell end on it (like electrical) would be nice too. Service area Barrhaven??

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Mihai Achim says:

    It happened to me a few years ago at a gambling hall on a copper evaporator with aluminum fins: After the anti-smoking law appeared in my country, I was called to clean the air conditioning system to eliminate the smell of smoke. I used 2 cleaning products: one from Favorcool sb-910 or sb-930 to clean smoke deposits from evaporators and a sterilization solution from Errecom. After that every 2-3 months the drainage pipes made from PVC began to clog every 2-3 months with a white slime. Before cleaning the smoke depozita they never had problems with clogged drain pipes. The smoke deposits were too toxic and did not allow the formation of bacteria slime.
    As a tip: use a vacuum cleaner at the end of the drain pipe to unloc the slaim in the cloged drain.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Corey Lambrecht says:

    Call Ted on the emergency hotline- he can easily tackle thar clog with his handy dandy loud, high-pitched, Milwaukee vacuum that hurts my ears every time he records himself using it.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chuck DeArruda says:

    Is Doctor Pastorello working the problem?

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Comp Jobs says:

    Slime bacteria???

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Edwin Jewell says:

    Bryan keep up the Great work your
    an Excellent Instructor and your
    passion shows. Thanks Again.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hidden Resolve says:

    First comment boiz. Luckily I haven't had a drain line fully clog like his did. I have only seen the white goop a few times. High heat and/or humidity climates causing it maybe?

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