Bleach or Drain Cleaner???

[R. Gerard]

The air handler part of our heat pump is in the attic. The PVC piping, which carries the condensate when the heat pump is in air conditioner mode, drains via gravity (no pump) to a spot outside, just behind our deck.

After twenty years of use, a clog developed in the pipe and it overflowed somewhere, with the overflow draining to the lowest point of the pipe before it took a turn to lead outside, then dripping onto and ruining a major swatch of our basement ceiling.

The heat pump guy came,blew the pipe out with air, confirmed it was clear by pouring down a gallon or so of water, and we had the basement ceiling repaired.

A neighbor suggested pouring a quart of bleach down the PVC pipe each year, just before the heat pump switches over from heating to cooling.

My question: is bleach best for this or can someone recommend something else that would be even better?

Many thanks, bob

[PipeDown]

Compressed air, the HVAC guy knew the safest way already.

Bleach would disinfect the pipe but would not necessarily dislodge any bug debris. Drain cleaner might work (slowly) but might be hazardous where it drains.

Just get a rubber hose, stick it on the drain, take a deep breath and blow hard. or similar, you get the pix

[hallerb]

compressed air followed by bleach. the warm moist closed line likely had mold growth, the bleach will kill it.

at least flush it yearly to assure it doesnt occur again.

you could always add a overflow line, taking drain water just a little higher than the regular drain, run this drain to a convenient visible location like somewhere you walk by daily, even a concrete garage floor

if you see water you know theres a problem

[HeatMan]

Actually, a better way would be to use a wet-vac on the outside of the house.

Less weight Little or no chance for a mess It will do the entire drain line, from the pan outlet to the outside

On my PM work, I put drian pan tab in the pan AND in the pipe. Usually, they will do for about half the summer and then I reccommend that the HO put about a half a cup of bleach down the line monthly.

Just don't inhale....