Frozen condensate drain: find out how to repair it your self

Frozen condensate drain: find out how to repair it your self


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In case your furnace abruptly stops working when it’s under freezing exterior, you could have a frozen condensate drain. Generally, you possibly can repair this your self. 

Maintain studying for instructions on find out how to restore a frozen condensate drain. For those who’re not up for DIY, no worries! Click on the field under, and we’ll join you with a vetted native supplier who may also help you.

Repair my condensate drain!

Finding your HVAC condensate drain

Your condensate line drains condensation created by your HVAC system out of your property. It’s normally a white PVC pipe on an exterior wall from inside to exterior your home. Generally, it’s close to your condenser. 

If the water contained in the pipe freezes, your furnace can now not correctly drain condensation. As a security measure, it is going to shut itself off till you clear the drain.

Fixing your frozen condensate drain

When you’ve situated your frozen condensate drain, there are a couple of methods to defrost it. Be sure that to show your furnace off on the fuse field first.

💧 Use a scorching water bottleWarmth water in your range or run scorching water out of your faucet. Fill a chrome steel water bottle or thermos with the water. Affix it to your condensate drain line with a bungee wire or different fastener. Maintain it there till the water contained in the drain melts and your furnace works once more. 
🫖 Pour scorching waterFill a vessel like a kettle with scorching water. Take the vessel exterior and slowly pour the recent water over the condensate drain till the ice melts. You may want to do that a number of occasions earlier than the road defrosts fully.
💨 Warmth with a hair dryerJoin your hair dryer to an extension wire. Select its highest warmth setting and level it on the drain, warming it till the ice melts. This may occasionally take 20+ minutes. Be sure that it’s not raining, snowing, or in any other case moist exterior in the event you select this technique. 
🔥 Deliver your area heater exteriorJoin your area heater to an extension wire or use a battery-powered heater. Place it close to the condensate drain to heat it and soften the ice inside. Don’t go away the heater unattended. Don’t select this technique whether it is unsafe to make use of electrical home equipment outdoor. 

Watch out to not burn your self or injury your HVAC gear. By no means use electrical home equipment in wet or snowy circumstances.

Don’t use boiling water in your frozen condensate drain. It could crack your pipe.

As soon as your drain line is ice-free, flip the furnace again on on the fuse field. It ought to work as anticipated.

If the climate stays chilly, your condensate drain might freeze once more. Merely repeat the method and think about hiring an HVAC technician who can take measures to stop the condensate line from freezing sooner or later.

The way to forestall condensate line from freezing

Probably the most simple strategy to preserve your condensate line from freezing repeatedly is to insulate the pipe. You may attempt to do that your self with an insulated wrap. 

If that doesn’t clear up the issue, name an HVAC contractor. There could also be extra components at play, such because the slope of the pipe or a clog unrelated to the chilly climate.

In case your condensate drain line is very lengthy, it would assist to shorten the pipe, leaving much less alternative for freezing. For instance, in case your drain pipe leads below the home, by your crawl area, and out to the yard, you might profit from shortening it.

A licensed furnace contractor can conduct this restore for you, chopping the condensate line and redirecting it to empty elsewhere.

Click on under to attach with an HVAC technician who can study your condensate drain line and advocate a plan of action to stop freezing. 

Ebook an appointment for HVAC restore now.

Furnace troubleshooting

In case your furnace isn’t working and defrosting your condensate drain line doesn’t assist, try our furnace troubleshooting suggestions. Performing these easy duties might repair your difficulty and prevent the expense of an expert restore. 

If troubleshooting doesn’t clear up your drawback, it might be time to name in an skilled. HVAC.com can join you with a top-rated native furnace contractor to diagnose and carry out a restore. Click on under to schedule an appointment.

Schedule an appointment with a furnace restore skilled.

Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities


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