If the condensate drain line that is attached to your gas furnace is clogged with debris and water leaks onto the flooring in your basement whenever you turn the heating unit on, clean the line's interior by completing the project below. Afterwards, empty and clean out the condensate drip pan. Once finished, use the furnace like you normally do, and excess condensation will be deposited outside the unit.
Materials
- mop
- towels
- drop cloth
- adjustable wrench
- pliers
- bucket
- long-handled tube brush
- wet/dry vacuum cleaner with hose
- soapy water
- oxygenated bleach
- sponge
Dry The Floor And Empty The Interior End Of The Condensate Line
Turn off the power to the furnace. Mop up any water that is on the basement floor. Use towels to wipe up any moisture that is on the furnace's exterior. Place a drop cloth underneath the condensate line. Use an adjustable wrench or pair of pliers to remove hardware that is holding the condensate line in place. Grasp the end of the condensate line with both hands and pull it loose from the furnace.
Dump any liquid that is trapped inside of the line into a bucket. If there is a lot of debris stuck inside of the line, insert the end of a long-handled scrub brush in the line and move the tool up and down until the dirt is loosened. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dirt that is stuck deep inside of the line. Remove debris from the interior walls of the line with soapy water that has been mixed with a few drops of oxygenated bleach. Reattach the condensate line to the furnace and install and tighten hardware pieces with a wrench or pair of pliers.
Dislodge Debris From The Opposite End Of The Line And Clean The Drip Pan
Go outdoors and locate the opposite end of the condensate line. Use a long-handled scrub brush and soapy water mixed with oxygenated bleach to dislodge dirt that is stuck inside of the line. Suck up materials inside of the line with a vacuum cleaner hose. Once finished, go back inside and inspect the furnace's condensate pan. The pan will be located near the bottom of the unit. Empty the pan and remove any dirt from the pan's interior with soapy water and a sponge. Rinse the pan's interior with plain water when finished.
Replace the pan in its original location. Turn on the power to the furnace and increase the setting on the thermostat. Inspect the condensate line to ensure that water is no longer leaking from it. If it is still leaking, contact an HVAC contractor like Butler Heating & Air for assistance.
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