Checking the air conditioning air handler condensate lines is especially important if your air handler is located in the attic. Since the air conditioner evaporator coil (inside the air handling unit) operates at a temperature less than dew point, it will condense the moisture from the air. This air handling unit coil is designed to allow the moisture to drip into an evaporator condensation pan. Most condensation pans have a 3/4 inch PVC line attached to them that allows the moisture to drain to the outside of the house. The PVC condensation drain line often becomes clogged with algae and muck and needs to be blown or flushed out from time to time. If your air handler is in an attic it should have a secondary pan to catch the water in case the primary condensation pan or condensation drain line gets clogged. Typical items that clog condensation lines are algae, muck, and trash like insulation from the attic. For double protection, it is recommended that all secondary condensation pans have float switches installed. The float switch will cut the air handling unit off if the secondary condensation pan starts to over fill. This will save you from buying a ceiling from a condensation leak. Float switches can be installed by your local HVAC service company.

Check to make sure that the air conditioner condensate line is not plugged by pouring water in the air conditioner condensation pan. If it drains fast then the line should be okay. If it drains slowly or not at all then the condensation drain line is plugged or beginning to plug. I often find the end of the line outside and take a hose and flush the line. You must be careful if you do this procedure. You can flood the condensation pan and cause water damage. This will clean the line in most cases. Additionally you can make sure that the condensation drain line has a downward slant to it. Sometimes people place things in the attic on the condensation drain lines and it won't drain. If you've checked all that and the condensation water still does not drain properly you may need to call an HVAC professional. The HVAC professional should have all the necessary HVAC tools to blow the condensation line properly.

A little HVAC preventive maintenance on your HVAC system can save you a lot of money in the future. Take the time to do this HVAC maintenance and save yourself from the expense and hardship that comes with HVAC breakdowns and HVAC component failure.