wmw999 2,166 #1 July 11, 2012 I have a clog in the A/C outflow; it's a 3/4" pipe, with LOTS of 90 degree bends (lousy original engineering). I had a plumber here, and by sucking on the clog, we turned it from VERY slow to completely stopped. He said that there isn't an augur that'll go through the 90 degree bend in that small a pipe, but I figured that one of the experts on dz.com will know for sure . Right now there's drain cleaner in the outflow, and the A/C is draining into the tub via a hose. We're waiting for the drain cleaner to work. It's a very effective interior design statement; goes well with the primer over the stains in the ceiling where it originally backed up. Thoughts? Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 635 #2 July 11, 2012 A/C as in air conditioner? This is the condensate drain? Bleach poured into the air handler's drip pain or right into the drain. Air hose to force it clear...it's just algae and other growth. Ick. Just be careful with the air hose...sometimes those drains have no PVC glue on the piping anywhere....makes it easier to clear clogs! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #3 July 11, 2012 Wendy don't they sell a goofy pipe cleaning thing at CVS for that kind of stuff? it's a bendy plastic thing.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #4 July 11, 2012 That's an awfully technical answer to the layperson there, ShahBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #5 July 11, 2012 I don't know bro it's one of those plastic things they sell for $19.95 used to pull hair out of drains. They sell them at CVS. What do i freaking look like a mechanical engineer!Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #6 July 11, 2012 Quote I don't know bro it's one of those plastic things they sell for $19.95 used to pull hair out of drains. They sell them at CVS. What do i freaking look like a mechanical engineer! You were ripped off if you paid $20 for it. $2.24 at Searslisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiverMike 5 #7 July 11, 2012 They won't go past multiple 90 degree bends. The best solution as previously stated is compressed air. Ideally, you want to push it back they way it came, rather than push it out the way it is going. You run the risk of creating a clog that can't be cleared. For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 635 #8 July 11, 2012 that's what she said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,166 #9 July 11, 2012 We've already successfully turned it from slow to completely stopped. It's several hours later, and there's still no disgusting mess in the pan under the outflow pipe. I was really hoping for a disgusting mess. Compressed air is next -- we were hoping not to use that, because of the possibility of blowing a joint (no, not that kind of joint -- get your minds out of the gutter!). Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiverMike 5 #11 July 11, 2012 I thought we were pretty good not commenting how you were sucking on the pipe. Can you push the clog back upstream by using compressed air. Trying to push it further downstream will probably not work. Or just replace the pipe. How much can a few sticks of PVC and some cement cost? It has been an interesting thread with so much blowing and sucking and disgusting messes. For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #12 July 11, 2012 Sounds like you have the pipe unhooked. Put the air to it. Find someone you don't like and tell them to look in the end to see if they can see the clog. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kawisixer01 0 #13 July 11, 2012 How long of a run is this? It's common if it's a short run to rip out hard piping and replace with nice flexible, cheap, vinyl hose attached with a barb fitting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackwallace 3 #14 July 12, 2012 What's the pipe made out of? If its plastic or copper, just cut it in a couple places, clean it out and stick it back together. Plastic you can glue, copper you can get rubber splices with radiator clamps.U only make 2 jumps: the first one for some weird reason and the last one that you lived through. The rest are just filler. scr 316 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 8 #15 July 12, 2012 Explosives! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,166 #16 July 12, 2012 It's PVC pipe, run through the wall, across some floor, down the next wall (A/C unit is on the second floor), to the bottom of a sink drain. It's the part where it runs along the floor where it's blocked. If I have to, I'll cut a big hole in the ceiling and replace stuff (it would take a hole in the ceiling); if that happens, it'll definitely be replaced with something flexible. The original installation had about 4 90 degree angles up at the top where it came out the drip pan; when the unit was replaced, I told them to make sure there was a good angle coming out, and they did. I just never thought about everything below, and the pan after that was sealed, so I couldn't pour bleach down periodically. No T on it either -- the sealed pan was supposed to prevent the need. Ah well, live and learn. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumper66 0 #17 July 13, 2012 Compressed air in 10lb increments... Once it gives... Really hot water to flush... NEVER CHEMICALS... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumper66 0 #18 July 13, 2012 QuoteCompressed air in 10lb increments... Once it gives... Really hot water to flush... NEVER CHEMICALS...[/reply you also might want someone to stuff a wet rag in the sink drain to avoid "blow-back" if you choose to blow the drain. You can't s "snake" 3//4 tubing. You usually blow it w/ CO or nitrogen.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wmw999 2,166 #19 July 13, 2012 Well, the chemicals are already in there. I tried to buy a can of compressed air at the hardware store, but apparently they don't sell those any more. I sucked out the first load of nasty chemicals this morning. Lots of nasty goo came out; the shop vac is very clean now. Then I tried blowing backwards with the shop vac, with no luck. So more chemicals went down, and I'll repeat the process tomorrow. If no luck by the end of teh weekend, I'll call the plumber back with his compressor. He said (and the A/C guy also said) that the joints in these A/C outflow pipes aren't always glued super-well, so they were both concerned about using the compressor. The only thing I want less than to have to tear into the ceiling to re-do the pipe, is to first have an explosion of lye and goo, and then have to tear in to the ceiling to re-do the pipe. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #20 July 13, 2012 A can of compressed air as in the stuff people use to clean the dust from the keyboards? That won't work. you're going to need a compressor and a fitting. If nothing works you can always soak the wall/ceiling in gasoline. Once their really wet, light a match. It should boil the condensation in the pipe and remove the clog. Even if it doesn't, you won't have to worry about the A/C anymore since you'll be moving to a new home.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wmw999 2,166 #21 July 13, 2012 No, there used to be cans of compressed air sold for the purpose of opening drains -- they were definitely stronger than what is used for keyboards. No longer available as far as I can tell. I think htat means I'm old. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites oldwomanc6 38 #22 July 13, 2012 Quote No, there used to be cans of compressed air sold for the purpose of opening drains -- they were definitely stronger than what is used for keyboards. No longer available as far as I can tell. I think htat means I'm old. Wendy P. I remember those. Meant to be used upside-down with a rubber seal on the nozzle. I guess you could add those to the "Remember When?" thread. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kenthediver 0 #23 July 13, 2012 Ha, Wendy, this is when you need those Kirby's you sold - they were touted in SA as being able to clear blocked pipes if you put the hose onto the outlet to the bag!! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jimmytavino 16 #24 July 13, 2012 maybe try running an electricians fishtape... through it... they are small yet flexible.. if the line has 90s in it,,, AND if you "pre bend " the end of the fishtape to make it easier to make those turns...... you might be able to Push through the blockage,, and then work the tape as neeeded,,,, to fully clear the line...... for Sure.. you need to have the A C working......good luck. jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
wmw999 2,166 #19 July 13, 2012 Well, the chemicals are already in there. I tried to buy a can of compressed air at the hardware store, but apparently they don't sell those any more. I sucked out the first load of nasty chemicals this morning. Lots of nasty goo came out; the shop vac is very clean now. Then I tried blowing backwards with the shop vac, with no luck. So more chemicals went down, and I'll repeat the process tomorrow. If no luck by the end of teh weekend, I'll call the plumber back with his compressor. He said (and the A/C guy also said) that the joints in these A/C outflow pipes aren't always glued super-well, so they were both concerned about using the compressor. The only thing I want less than to have to tear into the ceiling to re-do the pipe, is to first have an explosion of lye and goo, and then have to tear in to the ceiling to re-do the pipe. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #20 July 13, 2012 A can of compressed air as in the stuff people use to clean the dust from the keyboards? That won't work. you're going to need a compressor and a fitting. If nothing works you can always soak the wall/ceiling in gasoline. Once their really wet, light a match. It should boil the condensation in the pipe and remove the clog. Even if it doesn't, you won't have to worry about the A/C anymore since you'll be moving to a new home.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,166 #21 July 13, 2012 No, there used to be cans of compressed air sold for the purpose of opening drains -- they were definitely stronger than what is used for keyboards. No longer available as far as I can tell. I think htat means I'm old. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #22 July 13, 2012 Quote No, there used to be cans of compressed air sold for the purpose of opening drains -- they were definitely stronger than what is used for keyboards. No longer available as far as I can tell. I think htat means I'm old. Wendy P. I remember those. Meant to be used upside-down with a rubber seal on the nozzle. I guess you could add those to the "Remember When?" thread. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenthediver 0 #23 July 13, 2012 Ha, Wendy, this is when you need those Kirby's you sold - they were touted in SA as being able to clear blocked pipes if you put the hose onto the outlet to the bag!! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #24 July 13, 2012 maybe try running an electricians fishtape... through it... they are small yet flexible.. if the line has 90s in it,,, AND if you "pre bend " the end of the fishtape to make it easier to make those turns...... you might be able to Push through the blockage,, and then work the tape as neeeded,,,, to fully clear the line...... for Sure.. you need to have the A C working......good luck. jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
