When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

Eliminate Leaks And Improper Heating By Unclogging The Condensate Pipe That Runs To Your Furnace

by Clara Fernandez

If your gas furnace hasn't been heating up your home as it usually does and you notice that water is accumulating on your basement floor, the condensate pipe needs to be unclogged. Dust and debris often get stuck in this part, causing serious backups and improper heating. The following steps will teach you how to easily clean this pipe out. 

Use The Following Items

  • vinyl tarp
  • shop vacuum cleaner
  • duct tape
  • rubber gloves
  • tube brush
  • soapy water
  • sponge
  • water hose
  • towels
  • screwdriver

Clean The Interior End Of The Pipe

Turn off the power to the furnace. Use towels to dry the basement floor before cleaning out the condensate pipe so that water damage does not occur. Place a vinyl tarp on the floor to collect dirt, debris, or moisture that is trapped in the line.  Unscrew the end of the condensate pipe from your furnace with a standard screwdriver. Use a pipe brush to loosen any materials that are stuck on the interior walls of the pipe.

Use duct tape to attach the hose to a shop vacuum cleaner to the end of the pipe. Turn the vacuum cleaner on for a couple minutes to suck up the contents that are stuck inside of the line. Reattach the pipe to the furnace with screws. Pull out the condensate pan that is located underneath your furnace. Empty it and clean it out with soapy water and a sponge. Rinse well with plain water before sliding it back into place. 

Clean The Exterior End Of The Pipe

The exterior end of the pipe will be outside of your home, located close to the ground. Remove visible dirt and debris with a pipe brush. After the interior appears to be clean, attach the vacuum cleaner's hose to the end of the pipe to remove any debris that wasn't removed when you cleaned out the other end of the pipe. Place the end of the pipe back into the correct position. Turn the power back on to the furnace. Adjust the thermostat.

If warm air is coming out of the vents and you do not notice any water accumulating on your basement's floor, you have resolved the problem that you previously experienced. It is a good idea to have your furnace inspected each year by a certified technician from a company like Long Beach Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. They can identify problems with your furnace and make repairs before they become worse. Clean the condensate pipe out each year, before the weather turns cold. By following these tips, your furnace will remain reliable and energy efficient. 

 


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About Me

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

My name is Maura, and I am certified in HVAC installation and repair. I have many clients who call me in a panic because they have turned on their air conditioners and nothing has happened. Your air conditioning technician will get to you as soon as possible, but there are some steps you can take while you are waiting. You might just find that you are able to fix the problem on your own, although you will still want to have a professional assess the situation. In this blog I will take you through some common reasons your air conditioner might not be working and show you some easy temporary solutions.

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