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Sounds like what I've always heard called a drain line. It leads from the overflow/drip pan (beneath the air handler) out to the eaves and usually empties into a gutter. A clogged drain line can definitely cause issues, including but not limited to water overflowing the pan and through the ceiling of the room beneath.
Some people prefer to have the drain line drip into a visible place so that if it becomes clogged the lack of water dripping (when the CAC is on) will be an early heads-up.
The people who owned the house I bought last year had put in CAC five years ago and never had it checked or serviced since then. Idiots. Not only was the drain line clogged and the drip pan just a skootch from overflowing, but when the air handler was pulled out and replaced, the coils inside it were rusted out. No surprise, since it had been sitting above a small "swimming pool" 24/7 for years probably. Like I said: idiots.
Status:
"Let this year be over..."
(set 21 days ago)
Location: Where my bills arrive
19,219 posts, read 17,091,524 times
Reputation: 15538
By practice it's best to ensure a clear drain line once a year by pouring a mixture of clorine and water through it to kill any algae. It's also good to clean the inside coils, reduced airflow can cause freeze up's and system failure. I agree with other posters 10 years is not a long time, if there is a leak that can be brazed and the system recharged.
yea i meant to say drain pipe. It outtakes water but I've never heard it called an outtake either. I did end up replacing the unit as it was at least 20 years old and not very efficient. As to the OP, 10 years is fairly new dealing with CAC so I can't imagine replacing it. I've also heard people recommend aaron air as well.
With all the recent posts about central air conditioning, I think I caught central air disease.
Seems like my system's drain pipe is clogged. I called my regular repair guy and he only took a cursory look. We already tried cleaning it out ourselves. Done it before and it worked, but not this time. Regular repair guy suggested changing the angle of the pipe and adding some sort of pump.
Normally, he's reliable, but he cancelled last minute today, after waiting 5 days for this appointment and said that he couldn't come until next week. Called someone else just based on internet reviews. This guy claims that he could replace the drain pipe and that would be a quick fix, but the whole forced hot air furnance has to go. It is old and he may be right, but I don't trust him. He removed panels and disconnected some of the pipes to look at the system. I told him that I'd have to think about it and he was about to walk away and leave everything disconnected. I told him to put everything back. He did, but in the process he bent one of the metal panels, sloppily put everything back, but couldn't make it fit so he added some screws with his power screwdriver. It looks terrible, but that's not really that important. He also fussed around trying to find his sticker with the company's name and number on it, which he insisted had to put on the unit. Made a mess too by putting all his greasey tools on top of my fairly new washer.
There were several recommendations for a similar problem for Aaron Air. Do you guys still recommend them? Need a guy for Nassau County. I know that the Pipe Doctor used to post on here. Sloppy guy today quoted me $4300 to replace the entire unit. I know that the compressor is ok as it's only a year old. But the condensor may be shot. Even if he's right, I don't think I want Sloppy Guy doing the work.
With all the recent posts about central air conditioning, I think I caught central air disease.
Seems like my system's drain pipe is clogged. I called my regular repair guy and he only took a cursory look. We already tried cleaning it out ourselves. Done it before and it worked, but not this time. Regular repair guy suggested changing the angle of the pipe and adding some sort of pump.
Normally, he's reliable, but he cancelled last minute today, after waiting 5 days for this appointment and said that he couldn't come until next week. Called someone else just based on internet reviews. This guy claims that he could replace the drain pipe and that would be a quick fix, but the whole forced hot air furnance has to go. It is old and he may be right, but I don't trust him. He removed panels and disconnected some of the pipes to look at the system. I told him that I'd have to think about it and he was about to walk away and leave everything disconnected. I told him to put everything back. He did, but in the process he bent one of the metal panels, sloppily put everything back, but couldn't make it fit so he added some screws with his power screwdriver. It looks terrible, but that's not really that important. He also fussed around trying to find his sticker with the company's name and number on it, which he insisted had to put on the unit. Made a mess too by putting all his greasey tools on top of my fairly new washer.
There were several recommendations for a similar problem for Aaron Air. Do you guys still recommend them? Need a guy for Nassau County. I know that the Pipe Doctor used to post on here. Sloppy guy today quoted me $4300 to replace the entire unit. I know that the compressor is ok as it's only a year old. But the condensor may be shot. Even if he's right, I don't think I want Sloppy Guy doing the work.
Yes, Aaron Air is great. They always came promptly, sent a good tech and serviced my AC many times. I also like and have used Apple Air. If I had your experience (the guy who bent your panel made a mess etc.) I would have flipped out, you should def. call and complain. Unreal.
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