Flushing A/C Condensate Line

Any recs. on how to keep algae/? from building up in a/c condensate drain line. I have used bleach on a regular basis in the past but was recently told by a/c repair type that they have noticed that this can damage the pvc pipe. He suggested using vinegar but thought that works fine for lime deposits but what about algae! Thanks. Art

Reply to
Art
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Bleach does kill mold and algae, I dought bleach is really going to make a difference to the pvc since its not under pressure and its only temporarily in the pvc. After maybe 30 minutes flush with water.

Reply to
ransley

I've been using a 50-50 mix of bleach and water for double digit years to clean out my condensate drip pan and the PVC line. Have yet to see any kind of damage/deterioration. MLD

Reply to
MLD

atlas a/c had written this in response to

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: Very big misconseption, bleach does not kill mold, it antagonize's it! It may visably go away for a while but it will come back 3X as bad. Bleach is heavier than water, so it can't get out of the line at the P- trap. (The part sticking out of the ground outside.) So it will slowly damage the PVC pipe and also solidify and cause a blockage. Put a cup of White Vinegar in you line every month to three months through your safe-t-switch,or an access Tee you may have in the line or seperate the pipe at the point your A/C tech made in your line and coupled with vinal tube the last time your line backed up and they cleared it! Plus, if you spill vinegar on you or around your unit, it will just smell like a salad! Or you could be Pro- Active and purchase a $30. Stinger shop-vac at your local home/hardware store and 2 or 3 times a year put the suction end of the vacuum on the exit side of the pipe outside and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes. If the hose is doing a small dance, your clear. if it is not, you may have a blockage and will need to force air from the air handler side out while the vacuum is running.

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Reply to
atlas a/c

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Strange as it sounds, no bleach for mold remediation.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Bleach does in fact kill mold dead by removing oxygen from the plant, if it comes back its the environment since mold spores are airborn.

Reply to
ransley

And if you read further its applying to soft absorbant building materials, it states that in a few days it will come back worse, that is a total bullS statement. It also states removal of the molded product is best. No, stopping the moist enviorment is best. Ive used it on certain shaded concrete areas for years and i can keep it mold free with a yearly spraying. Just because its posted on the web you think all you read is true? This BS post, was likely put together by mold remediation companies suckering people into demolition, demolition without even addressing what caused the mold in the first place, remove excessive moisture and mold becomes inactive and dies. Of course you didnt see it says Hard Surfaces are ok with bleach, just as PVC and AC systems are hard and nonporus. Read between the lines on that bs site, I guarntee Bleach kills mold, by removing its oxygen, it only comes back because the environment that caused it remains the same. Mold Spores are everywhere, airborn.

Reply to
ransley

Not that I'm doubting what they (or you) say, but why should I believe MoldAcrossAmerica over the Centers for Disease Control?

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And this doc lists some sources that recommend using bleach (including the CDC), along with some sources that suggest other remediation methods.

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It appears that there is a grey area between bleach being used to get rid of the mold and it being used solely to disinfect the area after the mold has been removed by other means.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

All paint manufacturers have for at least 30 years recommended bleach to kill mold before painting, its industry standard and works. These jerks probably sell other chemicals or talk people into removing building products rather than restore them from mold damage. a hack post from Stormin.

Reply to
ransley

My website can beat up your website!

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

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