The most common breakdown of split systems faced by our compatriots is leakage. Pretty annoying when indoor unit Water drips on equipment and furniture. It is much worse if an air conditioner leak leads to a short circuit in the electrical wiring and the failure of expensive household appliances. The main reason for the “weeping” of climate technology, as a rule, is a clogged drainage system. How to clean the drain pipe of a split system on your own and will be discussed in this article.
Why is the air conditioner crying?
As mentioned above, the air conditioner is leaking, most likely due to a clogged drainage system. During the operation of the split system, condensate inevitably forms on the heat exchanger of the evaporative unit, which flows into a special tray, and from there, through the drainage pipe, is removed outside the room.
But during the operation of the air conditioner, dust, particles of pet hair and other contaminants that the filter did not hold back stick to the wet heat exchanger. Pollution, along with condensate, enters the sump, and from it into the drain pipe. The problem is that the diameter of the drainage tube is only about 10 mm. Dust and dirt from the air conditioner very easily clog the drain holes, the condensate has nowhere to go and it simply flows out of the pan.
This is the most common cause of air conditioning leaks. But in some cases, the flow of climate technology indicates more complex problems, for example:
- Freezing of condensate on the heat exchanger. Frost appears on the evaporator in the event of a decrease in the performance of the air conditioner. The reason for this may be a decrease in the volume of refrigerant in the system, clogged filters and the heat exchanger itself. When thawing, moisture will not fall into the pan as it should, but will drain down to the floor through the internal elements of the block.
- Broken pressure regulator. The drop in pressure in the system leads to a decrease in the temperature of the evaporative unit heat exchanger. hence ice and leakage as in the first case.
- In some models of air conditioners, a special pump is used to remove condensate from the sump. When it fails, moisture is not pumped out and overflow occurs.
- Damage to the condensate level sensor.
There are also more common causes of leakage, such as icing and incorrect installation split systems. How to clean climate equipment at home, will be described below.
If there are problems with pressure, pump and refrigerant quantity, then they can only be solved with the help of a master service center. Only a specialist can accurately diagnose the cause of the malfunction that led to the leak.
Instructions for cleaning the drainage system
First of all, you should know that clearing a clogged tube with wire or other folk remedies, gives a positive result, but not for long. Most often, a person will not have time to be happy with the solution of the problem, as the dust accumulated on the heat exchanger again clogs the drainage system and the air conditioner starts to flow again. That is why experts recommend cleaning the drainage system and at the same time cleaning the filters, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. 
The last step in cleaning is the disinfection of the system. To do this, it is necessary to treat the condensate collection pan and coarse filters with chlorhexidine, which is sold without a prescription in any pharmacy. It is very good if you pour a certain amount of the drug into the drain tube to disinfect it. After 15 minutes, rinse the tube with plain water. It will remove the remaining dirt and the drug, in addition, you can make sure that the drainage system is clear of blockage and will work normally.
Next, using a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner, clean the heat exchanger from dust and assemble the split system. As you can see, in some cases it is not difficult to solve the problem of "crying" of climate technology. In this article, you learned how to clean the drain tube of an air conditioner at home if it is dirty.
There are many reasons why air conditioning systems leak. It is better if professionals take up the diagnosis and troubleshooting.
Air conditioner - household appliances popular today, used to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room. And like any other device with complex design, it contains a variety of replaceable parts. Including siphon, connecting and drainage tubes. These elements can be considered auxiliary, in fact, it is difficult, and most often impossible to do without them.
For example, this applies to the siphon. This device is used to remove condensed moisture from the air conditioner. Some owners of air conditioners do not pay due attention to the moisture dripping from them, because, usually, it is allowed to simply drain down the window. But this is completely wrong from the point of view of ethics and aesthetics. Dripping, and sometimes pouring from a height, moisture can get on bystanders. And if the house is private low-rise, then there is another problem: condensate accumulates around the facade in the form of ugly puddles, which, moreover, do not have the most beneficial effect on the state of the foundation. Installing a siphon allows you to avoid all this and make the operation of the air conditioner aesthetic and more comfortable from a practical point of view.
This is a fairly simple device that drains condensate directly into sewer system. At first, moisture accumulates inside the siphon, as soon as its amount becomes sufficient, a special shutter is activated and the water is drained into the sewer. And so that the odor does not come out of the pipe, the siphon is equipped with a special valve that does not allow unpleasant odors into the room.
Depending on the type of construction, siphons are:
Siphons for air conditioners are manufactured by both Russian and foreign manufacturers, each of which offers several models of such devices. They differ in the type of thread on the connecting elements, which should be considered when choosing a siphon. Built-in siphons have different indicators the depth to which they can be immersed in the wall, which is also important to know before buying. The main indicator by which the effectiveness of such equipment is evaluated is its throughput. For domestic needs, siphons with medium characteristics are suitable, and for industrial needs - exclusively with high ones.
Correct operation of the air conditioner is impossible without special drainage tubes. They are part of the discharge complex along with the siphon. Tubes of suitable size and length, properly mounted and hermetically fixed, will allow you to get rid of condensed moisture freely and in a timely manner. Drainage can be made up of hoses or capillary tubes. Hoses are made of PVC and have a larger diameter than tubes. To give them rigidity and stability inside, they have a spiral. They are mounted together with the main air conditioning system, laid along the walls and connected to the sewer, and then covered with thermal insulation. Capillary tubes are usually used in conjunction with drainage pumps, they are used if moisture cannot be removed naturally, but you need to download it first. They are also made of durable but flexible plastic, have a small diameter - 2-6 mm - and are often transparent. They can be easily installed even in difficult conditions and in rooms where it is not possible to install another drainage system for the air conditioner.
Drainage hoses and capillaries are an important functional part working system conditioner. A properly assembled drainage complex is necessary in order to divert the water concentrates that are constantly formed during the cooling of the incoming air outside the premises equipped with air conditioners.
This system is formed from a selected number of drainage hoses, which are hermetically and reliably connected to the main distribution block of the air conditioning system. AT normal conditions drain hoses are installed at an angle to the sump of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, which ensures the natural drainage of moisture. If the location of the air conditioner does not allow this, special drainage pumps are used, for the operation of which capillary tubes are laid.
Drainage hoses (pipes)
Traditionally, drainage pipes are flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hoses reinforced from damage with an internal spiral. They can be used to transfer air, chemically active gases, cold vapors, smoke, they are not recommended for use for the distillation of gases with the possibility of sparking or hot vapors. The special design allows the drain hose to be flexible and highly resistant to fractures and kinks, withstand adverse weather conditions and low temperatures. Typically these pipes are White color and are supplied in coils of 25-30m in various diameters.
Indoors, drainage pipes are usually laid along with other communication and functional systems air conditioner in one box. They are installed along the walls and through specially prepared holes they are taken out of the living quarters or connected to the sewer. At the same time, all technological openings must be thoroughly cleaned of debris and, if necessary, strengthened. After installing the drainage pipes, electrical wiring and the airway they close heat-insulating materials, which are usually played by various natural and synthetic soft fillers that can provide tightness and withstand sudden temperature changes for a long period of time.
Often, a variety of hoses, including ordinary rubber ones, are installed as temporary measures for repairs, but this leads to the rapid occurrence of leaks in the most inconvenient places near the kinks. For reliable and quality work it is important to use only specialized pipes for drainage systems.
Capillary hoses (tubes)
These products are usually used in conjunction with specially installed drainage pumps. Their use is the only solution for those situations where it is not possible to ensure the removal of condensate in a natural way in the usual way. Modern technologies production drainage pumps allow you to install equipment in any necessary places, as well as use electronic water control sensors, which provides a reliable and accurate result.
Depending on the size of the premises, pumps of very different power and performance are used, while the farther the outlet paths in the form of drains or sewers, the greater the footage of capillary hoses must be used. These tubes are made of durable plastic, which, depending on the manufacturer, can be either colored or transparent. Capillary hoses have high flexibility and a relatively small diameter - usually 6mm external and 2mm internal, which makes them easy to lay even in the most difficult hard-to-reach places residential and industrial premises.
An air conditioner is a unit with the help of which optimal climatic parameters are maintained in the premises. Working in automatic mode, it provides air cooling and heating, dust removal, and in some cases air exchange with the environment. The principle of operation of the air conditioner is to change state of aggregation refrigerant depending on temperature and pressure in closed circuit. This process is accompanied by the formation of condensate, for which a special drainage system is provided in many models.
Functions of the drainage system
Education and accumulation a large number Condensation inside the air conditioner units causes water to leak onto the facade of the house, as well as on the walls and furniture in the rooms. In addition, the presence excess moisture inside the instrument may cause a short circuit in the electrical wiring, resulting in damage to the instrument.
Depending on the selected operating mode, condensation forms on the surfaces of the condenser or evaporator, which gradually accumulates inside the air conditioner. The reason for its appearance is the temperature difference between the refrigerant circulating through the tubes and the air passing through them. In order to avoid excessive accumulation of water, the design of the device provides special system condensate drain. It consists of a container (tray) for collecting moisture and drainage tubes, through which condensate is removed from the air conditioner.
Take-off place:
- To the street - the easiest way, implemented in budget models of air conditioners. Drainage tubes simply come out through holes designed for other communications. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of puddles near houses, water drips on the walls, etc.
- In the sewer - a more complex option, devoid of drawbacks budget option. At the same time, the drainage of the air conditioner into the sewer provides mandatory installation a water seal (siphon), which will prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
- Using a special drainage pump. This method is used in cases where it is impossible to provide required slope along the entire length of the pipeline. The pump allows you to "raise" the condensate to the required height, from where the condensate from the air conditioner will merge "by gravity".
Drain pipes for air conditioners
It is easier to lay a drainage route with corrugated pipes
The drain pipe of the air conditioner, with the help of which the condensate formed inside is removed from it, is made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. These materials are not affected by water, and products made from them are highly durable. In practice, manufacturers complete air conditioners with two types of reinforced tubes - smooth and corrugated. Smooth tubes are most often found in budget models of air conditioners. Their installation without special fittings is impossible.
Fittings - an element used to form bends when laying pipelines for various purposes.
Usage smooth pipes with fittings for laying a drainage pipeline, it is advisable when the air conditioner is located in the immediate vicinity of the sewer. If the point of connection of the tube to the sewer is sufficiently long distance, the use of fittings greatly complicates the installation of the pipeline.
The corrugated pipes are highly flexible and the installation of the drainage pipeline can be carried out without fittings. The drain hose for the air conditioner, assembled from corrugated tubes, can be bent at any angle, which greatly simplifies the process of laying the pipeline.
Installation of a condensate drainage system
Starting the installation of the drainage system of the air conditioner, it is necessary first of all to design the entire pipeline route. This is especially true in cases where a decision has been made to drain condensate into the sewer or it is impossible to provide the necessary slope along the entire length of the pipeline.
When laying a pipeline for draining condensate from an air conditioner, it is necessary to ensure that the angle of inclination of the horizontal sections is at least 3 °, and the angles of rotation of the pipeline are not more than 45 °.
In addition, it is desirable to make all connections using fittings, installing them on a sealant.
When installing a water seal at the inlet to the sewer, it must be taken into account that there must always be standing water in it. Otherwise, the room will seep bad smell from the sewer.
A drain pump (pump) is often built into air conditioners. It is one of the most important components of the condensate drainage system. Its design depends on the type of air conditioner and its location in the room. If the piping route has a large height difference between the air conditioner and the condensate drain point, an additional pump must be installed. The choice is made based on its ability to draw water from the pump below.
Main malfunctions
One of the most common problems with any air conditioner is leaking. Such a defect occurs most often due to clogging of its drainage system. At the same time, the hole in the pan, designed to drain the condensate, is clogged with dust and debris, which are brought by the water flowing into it. As a result, the pan overflows and water begins to flow out, bypassing the drain system.
Disruption of the drainage system occurs for other reasons:
- If there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the temperature of the heat exchanger drops, which leads to the formation of ice on its surface. The flowing water at the same time does not fall on the pallet, but flows out onto the floor of the room.
- If there is no pressure regulator in the air conditioner or the pressure regulator is out of order, when the outside air temperature drops, the pressure in the system drops. This also reduces the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and icing occurs.
- When using the air conditioner in cold weather, the outlet of the drain pipe may freeze, causing the drain pan to overflow with water.
- Errors during the installation of the drainage system: lack of slope when laying the pipeline, “dry” water seal, poor-quality drainage pipes, depressurization of connections, “pseudo-siphon” device, etc.
- Failure of the drainage pump or clogging of its float chamber, due to which the pump stops working.
If there are problems related to a drop in the refrigerant level, a decrease in pressure, a failure of the drain pump and other malfunctions, right decision will contact a specialist service department. Their qualified specialists will quickly and efficiently eliminate faults.
Cleaning the drainage system
Eliminate water leakage from the air conditioner, which was caused by clogging of the drainage system, the user can independently. At the same time, it is necessary to clean not only the drainage system, but also the heat exchanger filters. Otherwise, the dust accumulated on the evaporator will again clog the drain hole of the drain pan. In order to clean the drainage system, you must:
- Disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply.
- Remove cover and coarse filters.
- Carefully remove the tray where the condensate collects. To do this, disconnect the drain hose.
Next, you need to thoroughly rinse the pan, cleaning the drain hole from accumulated debris and dirt. Then check the condition of the drain tube. If it is clogged, blow it out with air. In case of severe clogging, it is necessary to pour a special liquid for cleaning air conditioners into the tube. Then, after waiting 20-30 minutes, remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Do not use wire or the like to clean the drain pipes. So you can get only a short-term effect. After a while, the blockage will be restored, and the flow of water from the air conditioner will resume. In addition, thin-walled plastic tubes can be damaged by wire. Repairing these damages will require time-consuming and costly repairs.
Chlorhexidine disinfects air conditioner parts
The removed coarse filters are also thoroughly washed and then dried. The evaporator is cleaned of dust using a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner.
Completing the process of cleaning the drainage system, many experts recommend disinfecting it. To do this, use a solution of chlorhexidine, which is used to process the pan and coarse filters. In addition, a small amount of the drug must be poured into drain pipe after waiting 15-20 minutes, it is washed running water, at the same time removing debris and dirt from the drainage pipeline.
For many, today, air conditioning is not just household appliances, but a vital thing that creates comfortable temperature conditions, especially in summer period. Such devices are very popular and are used for private and industrial needs. But the effectiveness of air conditioners depends on whether all the important components of this equipment are installed correctly. So, drainage tube air conditioner makes it possible to efficiently dispose of condensate. Incorrect location reduces the throughput of the system.
A drain tube is needed to remove condensate
The purpose of the drain tube in the air conditioner
Condensation is an integral part effective work conditioner. Its appearance is explained by the principle of operation of the split system itself. In the summer, when the air temperature is high, air conditioner owners try to cool their houses and apartments with air conditioners. The split system itself, or other types of equipment, effectively copes with its task with the help of a refrigerant. Most often it is freon.
The principle of operation of the air conditioner is based on air cooling. It is with the help of freon, which circulates in the compressor-condenser unit along copper lines, that the temperature drops. Since the condenser part with the equipment heat exchanger is always located on the street, it is there that the collision of “hot” with “cold” occurs. Liquid droplets actively accumulate on the surface of the condenser, which can harm the operation of the air conditioner if they are not properly disposed of.
The drain hose for the air conditioner is an important structural element, correct installation which not only saves the equipment itself from excess moisture.
It is important that the disposal of condensate does not interfere with other people (in multi-storey residential buildings). The tube should be located away from windows and walls, as it is possible to harm the integrity of the building itself. BUT the best option- this is the connection of drainage to the sewerage system. But, this method has no drawbacks. But only the owners of private property can organize it.
Varieties of drainage pipes
The best material for a drainage pipe is plastic. It is durable for use in any weather conditions. Modern models air conditioners often use tubes from:
- polyvinyl chloride;
- polyethylene;
- polypropylene.
It is these materials, due to their chemical and physical properties, that can be used for the disposal of condensate in any possible operating conditions for the equipment. Those structural elements are of two types:
- smooth;
- corrugated.
At their cost, smooth ones are more budgetary. Such tubes often come with the air conditioner itself, more often with low-voltage equipment. price category. The main advantage of smooth pipes is elasticity. But fixing it in one position without special fasteners and connectors will not work. If you need to position the drain hose at an angle in the installation, you will need fittings. Those connecting elements do not have good elastic properties like the tube itself. They are convenient to use.
But there is one drawback. If the drain pipe for the air conditioner is connected to the sewer, then a lot of fittings will be needed. So, installing the entire split system will be an expensive undertaking.
Another, more advanced version is corrugated pipe. The walls of the hose are elastic and resemble an accordion in their structure. It is this type of drainage device that does not require additional materials for your installation. But its installation should be more thorough. It is better that the channel is located at the most acute angle to the earth's surface and does not have horizontal sections. It is in such places that the hose can bend under the influence of the gravity of the water, which will cause some problems in the operation of the air conditioner.
A smooth tube is cheaper than a corrugated one
Maintenance of the drain pipe - a guarantee of the durability of the air conditioner
Incorrect installation of the condensate drain hose can lead to excess water inside outdoor unit conditioner. Therefore, it is important to do everything right. But not always, problems overtake the owner of the equipment for this very reason. So, the drain hose can simply become clogged. But this will not happen when the technique is monitored. It is the care of the air conditioner that guarantees its efficient operation. Since the external unit of the split system is located on the street, it is constantly exposed to natural factors. Dust and debris are brought inside, which get there with the help of precipitation and wind. If there are signs of an air conditioner leak, look for problem area not difficult.
Where is the tube of the drainage system, every owner of a split system knows. If it is she who is clogged, then the problem is solved with a couple of quick actions. The hose can be blown out or cleaned by hand using any thin oblong tool. But clogging of the hose is rare. The other is more likely to suffer important element drainage system - a reservoir for water. It is to it that a drain tube is connected through a small drain hole. In case of clogging of this vessel, water fills its full volume. And the owner of the air conditioner can only observe the consequences of this - flooding. When water begins to overflow over the edges of the bath, it falls to the bottom of the block itself. Accumulating, the liquid is looking for an easy way to remove through any cracks and holes.
How does the drainage tube depend on the operation of the device itself
The main reason for blockages or poor drainage tube flow is most often due to human error. Only inattention and disdain for household appliances can change the quality and efficiency of the air conditioner. But there are exceptions. These include:
- Disabled pressure sensor or its absence. It is this element that can cause some problems with the drainage system. If the temperature in the evaporator drops due to a sharp change in climatic factors, the water in the tub and hose may freeze, which will lead to flooding of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
- Freon leak. A decrease in the volume of this gas in the condensing unit can cause a decrease in the temperature in the evaporator. So, the water freezes, blocking the drain hole of the drain hose.
- Freezing of water in the hose due to exposure to low temperature outside. Often, this problem appears when using equipment in cooling mode.
- Other problems that may arise with the drain pipe during the operation of the air conditioner arise due to the installer of the equipment and its owner. Often, the zigzag structure of the hose becomes an additional clogging factor. Also, the tube may burst when the material from which it is made is of poor quality.
If the drain pipe for the air conditioner is connected to fittings, then gaps and cracks may appear at their joints. They also cause some problems. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the hose used. And if complete with air conditioning, the tube does not have those positive properties that are needed, it is better to purchase a new item.
All evaporative type appliances, including air conditioning, operate based on physical properties gas - with a sharp expansion, cool its volume. This process takes place in the evaporation chamber, the purpose of which is to cool the air.
But when cooling down, another law of physics comes into force called “reaching the point of growth”. In simple words, it looks like the appearance of small dew drops on a cooled surface, these droplets are called condensate.
In fact, they can be called a by-product of the functioning of technology, and for the normal operation of the device, it needs timely removal of condensate from refrigeration systems.
Where does the condensate come from and where does it go?
Condensation is water droplets. Since the device of the air conditioner is difficult electrical connections and circuits, in some cases, excessive moisture causes malfunction or breakdown, and if the device is connected to the network, there is a possibility of a short circuit.
One day average domestic air conditioners can collect up to 10-15 liters of liquid that is in the atmosphere. And if there are many air conditioners installed, for example, in office buildings, hundreds of liters of condensate can accumulate per day. This volume is dangerous due to the risk of flooding.
It also adversely affects health. Wastewater serve as a good breeding ground for bacteria and mold dangerous to humans.
These points are enough to make a decision to install a special drain for the air conditioner. The main task of which is the conclusion from excess condensate from technology.
Health impact
The main danger of condensate is far from the risk of flooding something or equipment breakdown, it is a threat to health. If the device has several components for comfortable reproduction of bacteria, namely water, dirt and heat, all this creates the conditions for a whole incubator of dangerous diseases and other infections:
- A nasty smell is the least of the evils. Such a “flavor” serves as a warning that it is time to overhaul the drainage.
- Pathogenic bacteria - there is one type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. It is also called "legionnaire's disease", the mortality from which is very high.
- Mold fungi - some types of fungi provoke diseases up to cancer.
Clogged drain pipe
How to remove condensate from the air conditioner
After the information obtained above, the question arises of how to properly remove condensate from the air conditioner. A frequently used and financially advantageous method is to bring the drain pipe outside by drilling small hole in the wall. The main advantage is simplicity - I made a hole, stretched the hose and everything works. But there is also a negative side, it lies in the effect of "raindrops" that will fall on the window sills and cause a lot of inconvenience to the neighbors. The aesthetic side is also a disadvantage. No matter how practical this way, not everyone likes pipes hanging from the apartment; on a bare wall.
It would be much better to use the condensate drain to the sewer.
Drainage to the sewer
This option does not have any downsides. The waste from the air conditioner is drained into a system designed for this. It can be, as well as a common sewer channel, and a specially laid network of pipelines. The removal of all wastewater will occur without your help due to the slope of the pipes.
But there are also some subtleties in the implementation of such a system for draining condensate from an air conditioner:
- To prevent the nasty smell from the drains from entering the room, it is necessary to install a water seal - this is a curved part of the drainage pipe in the form of the letter S. The operation of such a shutter is similar to the work of a siphon - it creates a barrier to odors that come from below.
- If the air conditioner for a long time idle, the water seal may dry out and the air coming out of it will begin to give off sewage. To avoid this, it is enough to pour several liters of water into the drain every 5-7 days.
- When using the gravity flow option, it is necessary to accurately calculate the minimum diameter and slope of the system so that all air conditioner waste can flow freely through it.
Typically, manufacturers include a detailed diagram that facilitates the installation process.
Condensate drainage scheme
Drain pipes for air conditioners
Drain pipes from air conditioners belong to the drainage system and are represented on the market by two positions:
- PVC and polyethylene pipes.
- Pipes are smooth and corrugated.
The first option is most often used if the length of the drain is small, while in other cases corrugated systems are used. At the same time, the second variety has one more huge advantage- great flexibility drain hose, so that during installation there is no need to use additional fasteners, as is necessary when working with smooth pipes.
Drain pipes for air conditioners
The installation process of the condensate drainage system
Despite the difficult descriptions of the actions, in practice the withdrawal process is extremely simple and requires only care from you:
- The first thing to do is remove the fasteners from the air conditioner, which are located below.
- A small container will be installed at the bottom under the fan to collect excess condensate. A branch pipe is visible on its side, to it with the help of a clamp we attach drainage pipe branch.
- Next, assemble back and install the air conditioner in place. But it is important that the tube goes through the hole in the side of the air conditioner.
Now you need to bring the previously connected hose into the sewer or into the street. If the hose is retracted correctly, you will see the first drops that come out of the pipe.
Drainage scheme to the street
Cleaning the drainage system
AT living conditions without the help of a specialist, it is possible to clean the drainage system only if only the nozzle of the bath is dirty. For this you need:
- Unfasten the filter, which is located on the air conditioner housing and rinse it thoroughly.
- After removing the lower fasteners, disconnect the drainage tube and remove the bath.
- Rinse these parts Special attention holes.
For other failures associated with clogged drainage, you need to Technical equipment, it is better to call the master. Self repair can damage expensive equipment.
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