Do-it-yourself air conditioner drainage system repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of the air conditioner drainage system from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

How to clean the air conditioner drain pipe

Many owners of split systems have faced such a problem as air conditioner leakage. Water usually drips from the indoor unit. It's good if it just leaked out onto the floor, and did not flood you with expensive furniture or appliances. Another nuisance that can occur due to condensation leakage is a short circuit, if water gets into the outlet or a turned on household appliance. Where does it come from? Most likely, your air conditioner drainage system is dirty. The water cannot flow out through the tube and therefore flows inward into the apartment. In this article, we will cover in detail the question of how to clean the drain pipe of the air conditioner and the entire drainage system.

Most often, the problem occurs due to the fault of the owner of the air conditioner. After all, any equipment needs periodic cleaning and high-quality service, which cannot be saved on. If these measures are neglected, then you can get the above problem.

Most often, the drain pan of the air conditioner is clogged. The condensate that flows down the sump carries all the dirt it collects to the drain, the diameter of which is usually very small (about 1 cm), naturally, the drain after some time gets clogged with dirt, and the sump fills with water. And, since the water has nowhere to flow out, it begins to drip from the indoor unit of the air conditioner onto the floor. What is the way out of this situation? The answer is to regularly clean the drainage system and in particular to clean the drain tube. Let's figure out how to clean the air conditioner drain pipe with our own hands.

Video (click to play).

There are other reasons why condensation can flow inside the room and not outside. These reasons are typical for split systems of any type:

If the amount of refrigerant in the system decreases, then the temperature of the evaporator also decreases and ice may freeze on it. Then the water will not be able to enter the sump, but will drain onto the fan and from it onto the floor. Also, this problem can arise not only due to a lack of freon, but also when the evaporator or filters are heavily soiled.
If your split system does not have a pressure regulator, then when the outside temperature drops, the pressure in the system may drop. The temperature in the evaporator will decrease accordingly. And this can happen even with a sufficient amount of freon. Typically, a pressure regulator is an integral part of all year-round air conditioners.
The most commonplace reason is the freezing of the outlet of the drainage tube. This can happen if the air conditioner is used for cooling during the winter. In this case, the condensate must be discharged to the outside. If the outside temperature drops below zero, the tube opening will certainly freeze, blocking the water outlet. However, it must be remembered that before cleaning the drain pipe, it is necessary to flush the drain pan and other elements of the air conditioner drainage system.

The split system with gravity drainage of condensate functions as follows. The liquid collects on the fins of the evaporator and then flows into the tray. Then she goes through the pipeline to the street, or to the bathroom. If you are the owner of this type of split system, then the reasons for the leakage of the air conditioner may be as follows:

The drain pipe does not slope, i.e. the hole where the water comes in is higher or at the same level as the hole for the water drain.Consequently, the liquid is retained in the tube and can flow in the opposite direction. The way out is to clean the drainage tube yourself.
Poor quality material. If the drainage compartment is made of poor quality material, then the condensate drainage pipe may burst or crack over time. If the drainage consists of several interconnected tubes, then the seams connecting them to each other could disperse.
The use of pseudosiphons. It happens that installers bend a sewer pipe in a zigzag pattern. This is done in order to install a water seal and sewer odors could not penetrate into the apartment due to the constant level of water in the pipe. However, this approach makes it difficult to drain condensate from the drain tube. Therefore, it is best not to use this method with siphons.
Blockage in the drainage system. Both the drain tube and the tray itself or the condensate drain hole can become clogged.

If you have a split system with a drainage pump, i.e. system without condensate drainage to the street, then the reasons for condensate leakage may be as follows:

Breakdown of the drain pump. The pump may burn out or start operating at a lower power. Even the presence of a sound characteristic of operation does not mean that the pump is in working order. It must be removed and checked.

Blockage in the float chamber. If a lot of dirt has accumulated, then the float in the float chamber may become fixed, due to which the pump will stop working and the drainage of water will stop.
Breakage of the proximity or float sensor.
Clamping the air outlet tube.
Poor contact at the pump power terminals.

The drainage system of the air conditioner is a place with high humidity, which means that it is an ideal place for the reproduction of microorganisms. Moreover, all the dirt collected by the air conditioner from the air is concentrated here. Mold and bacteria that are dangerous to humans often develop in the drain. That is why it is necessary to approach the cleaning of the drainage system with all responsibility.

You can of course use folk remedies that will tell you how to clean the drain pipe of the air conditioner. However, they will lead to quick but short-lived results. For example, some advisors recommend blowing or poking metal wire into the pipe. But what do we get as a result? The tube, of course, will break through, water will drain through it, but all the dirt will remain inside the drain pan. Thus, you will get the result very quickly, but the problem will return sooner than you are finished enjoying the quick result. Therefore, it is best to apply professional secrets and solve the problem radically. Just overhaul your air conditioner drainage system.

First, you have to disassemble the air conditioner. Carefully remove the cover from the air conditioner and remove the black filters. Then, bend back the lower blade, through which the air is flowing, and remove the two plugs from under it. Unscrew the screws. During the execution of all manipulations, the device must be turned off.

Remove the drip tray that collects condensate from the evaporator. In order to do this, you first need to pull out the black cable from the infrared sensor fixed in the foam, and then unscrew the screws holding the blade motors. Everything, you can pull out the pallet. Pull it slightly and downward. There is a drain hose behind the drain hole and must be disconnected. After that, you will finally have access to the drain connection. We connect a hose from the pump to the drain pipe and purge it. The main thing is that the diameter of the hose and the branch pipe match. In order to thoroughly rinse and disinfect the branch pipe and the entire drainage system of the air conditioner, pump chlorhexidine inside using a pump. This drug is often used for disinfection in hospitals.We will need about four bottles of the drug. While the liquid is acting, we rinse the drain pan of the evaporator itself and its other parts, on which dirt and dust has settled.

After fifteen minutes (this is how much time is needed for the drug to work), you need to connect a vacuum cleaner to the hose, which will suck out all the dirt that remains in the drainage system. The second option involves turning on the vacuum cleaner in the blowing mode. Thus, you will achieve effective disposal of the drainage from the remaining dirt. After that, you can pour one and a half liters of water into the drainage system for testing. If the water flows freely through the drain hole, then congratulations, you managed to clean the drain tube yourself. If there are any difficulties when water comes out of the tube, then you can repeat the last procedure several more times.

1. Remove the case of the front panel of the air conditioner

2. Removing the condensate collecting pan from the evaporator

3. Unscrew the screw that holds the blade motor.

4. Carefully remove the pallet

5. Disconnect the drain hose

6. The drain tube is now accessible for cleaning.

7. Connect the hose of the vacuum cleaner and blow out additionally using cleaning agents

Climate technology plays an important role in creating a comfortable home environment. Repair of air conditioners in case of breakdown is easy to do with your own hands, since these devices are quite simple to operate and work.

In household ventilation systems, a decrease in work efficiency is immediately felt. If some signals about the impending breakdown of home air conditioners may not be immediately noticed, then the deterioration in performance is noticeable immediately (especially in the hot season). The main types of air conditioner malfunction:

Separately, it must be said about the breakdown of floor-standing household air conditioners. Correct installation of climatic technology plays a very important role. If the installation was not carried out on a flat surface, then the drains will clog first, and then the radiator and engine will fail. The air conditioner will hum during operation and accumulate condensate, after which it will be almost impossible to repair it.

Photo - the principle of work

Video: how the air conditioner works

The easiest way is to clean and urgently repair the air conditioner radiator at home. Externally, the split-system radiator resembles a very fine mesh, which is located under the front panel of the device. Due to the fact that it is constantly exposed to dusty air, a large amount of debris from the outside accumulates on the mesh, which gets into your home during work. In addition, the equipment also builds up dust during downtime (winter and autumn), which also causes dust to appear on the radiator.

Photo - purging the filter

To be on your own clean and repair the air conditioner, need to:

Remove the panel from the device. It is attached to threaded connections, they are removed with a screwdriver or wrench (depending on the brand). In some window air conditioners (Mitsubishi, Hitachi or Daikin), the panel is also secured with hidden locks; Photo - cleaning the split system
Under it are the first air filters, through which the air flow passes both from the street and from the house. Therefore, you need to remove and soak in warm water and soap for 30 minutes. During this time, fatty deposits and dust will peel off from them, and pathogenic bacteria will also be destroyed;
A rotary fan is located under them. It is produced in the form of a roller and must be cleaned, since it is this part that helps to distill air. Its maintenance consists in wiping the blades with a damp cloth soaked in soapy water;
Further, you will find yourself in the filters through which the air flow enters from the outer compartments into the inner ones. These parts are cleaned with a roller dipped in water and soap, you can buy a special tool or use a rag wound around a long tube.

Most often, warranty repair does not imply cleaning the radiators of air conditioners, so you will have to carry out the work yourself. It is advisable to repeat the process every six months for the best effect.

Photo - professional cleaning products

Instructions on how to clean the heat exchanger of a Panasonic (Panasonic), Samsung (Samsung), VAO and others air conditioner:

It is necessary to remove the front panel and remove all parts of the external compartment. You need to get into the internal one, the heat exchanger is located exactly there;
There are several ways to clean. For example, many even professional craftsmen simply blow through the radiator with a vacuum cleaner. If you do not have this device, then you can walk over it with a soft brush;
To test its performance, dip the part in a bowl of soapy water. If bubbles come from somewhere, then the radiator needs to be soldered.

Photo - place of leak

With rare use of the conditioner, or, on the contrary, after very intensive use, many owners notice that water drips from under the front panel. The problem is clogged drainage pipes... What to do:

Repair of air conditioner hoses is carried out only in the warm season, in extreme cases, at a positive temperature, otherwise it will be impractical;
If the problem was noticed after the winter season, then first you need to carefully warm up the branch with warm water and a rag - probably an ice plug has formed in the pipe;
If the malfunction was discovered in the middle of the working season, then the pipe must be blown out. For this, special compressors can be used, which are output to the internal outlet of the tube or liquid. Read the instructions first to see if cleaning solutions can be used in your conditioner.

But the most dangerous problem that requires urgent repair and can affect the operation of the air conditioning compressor or its clutch is refrigerant leakage. The main insidiousness of a malfunction is that it is very difficult to detect. Even not all professional workshops provide such a service. Leakage signs:

Noise during operation;
Decreased cooling efficiency;
Sudden changes in temperature.

Before starting repairs, you need to find the place of the leak. There are several ways to do this. The easiest is, again, using a soapy solution. It is necessary to lubricate the pipes of the refrigeration circuit with a special soap (you can also use the usual 1: 1 solution, but its effectiveness is lower), and watch where bubbles appear.

Photo - measurement and elimination of refrigerant leaks

In some brands, a liquid is added to freon, which glows under ultraviolet rays. Of course, you will need to arm yourself with a UV lamp, but this is the fastest and most efficient option. It will not work to repair high and low pressure pipes on your own, moreover, if the problem is not detected in time, the repair will be more expensive than the cost of the equipment. Therefore, we recommend that you immediately contact the service center with this leak.

Very interesting to read:

The most common breakdown of split systems that our compatriots face is leakage. It is quite unpleasant when water drips from the indoor unit onto the equipment and pieces of furniture. It is much worse if the leakage of the air conditioner leads to a short circuit in the electrical wiring and the failure of expensive household appliances. The main reason for the "cry" of climate technology, as a rule, is a clogged drainage system. How to clean the drainage pipe of the split system on your own will be described in this article.

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 evaporating unit, which flows into a special sump, and from there, through a drain pipe, it is removed outside the room.

But during the operation of the air conditioner, dust, particles of pet hair and other contaminants that are not retained by the filter adhere to the wet heat exchanger. Contaminants along with condensate fall into 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 simply clog the drain holes, the condensate has nowhere to go and it simply flows out of the pan.

This is the most common reason for the appearance of the leakage of climatic technology. But in some case, the flow of climatic technology indicates more complex problems, for example:

Freezing of condensate on the heat exchanger. Ice builds up on the evaporator when the performance of the air conditioner decreases. The reason for this may be a decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the system, clogged filters and the heat exchanger itself. When defrosting, moisture will not fall into the pallet as expected, but will drain through the internal elements of the block to the floor.

Failed pressure regulator. A drop in pressure in the system leads to a decrease in the temperature of the heat exchanger of the evaporating block. hence frost 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.

Broken condensate level sensor.

There are more commonplace reasons for leakage, such as icing and improper installation of the split system. How to clean climatic equipment at home will be described later.If there are problems with the pressure, pump and amount of refrigerant, then they can only be solved with the help of a service center master. Only a specialist can accurately diagnose the cause of the malfunction that led to the leak. Image - Do-it-yourself air conditioner drainage system repair

First of all, you should know that cleaning a clogged tube with wire or other folk remedies gives a positive result, but not for long. Most often, the person will not have time to rejoice at the solution to the problem, as the dust accumulated on the heat exchanger clogs the drainage system again and the air conditioner starts flowing again. That is why experts recommend cleaning the drainage system and, at the same time, cleaning the filters and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

The first thing to do is to de-energize the device.
Then remove the cover and coarse filters. They should be rinsed and dried thoroughly.
Remove the condensate collecting tray by disconnecting the drain hose in parallel. In some models, this is quite difficult to do, so follow the instructions.
Thoroughly rinse the drain pan and clean the condensate drain hole.
Blow out the drain tube with a vacuum cleaner. If the blockage is thick enough, use a syringe to fill it with an air conditioner cleaner, which can be purchased at specialized stores.
After 15-30 minutes, you can remove the dirt with a vacuum cleaner connected to the drainage system hose.

The last step in cleaning is to decontaminate the system. To do this, it is necessary to treat the condensate collection tray 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 residual dirt and grease, and you will also be able to ensure that the drainage system is clear of blockages and will function normally.

Next, use a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the heat exchanger and assemble the split system. As you can see, in some cases it is not difficult to solve the problem of “crying” climate technology. In this article, you learned how to clean an air conditioner drain pipe at home if it gets dirty.

There are many reasons for the flow of climatic technology. It is better if professionals undertake diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Comfort in our houses is given to us not only by the presence of furniture, but also by household appliances. These devices make our life not only easier, but also create coziness and a certain concept of luxury.However, when purchasing, you always wonder how long it will serve us. And this does not always depend on the quality of the equipment itself and its characteristics. Generally, household appliances are influenced by factors such as correct operation, handling and maintenance. After all, any technique needs proper care and maintenance. An air conditioner is no exception, which maintains in your home not only the required temperature, which suits you best. And therefore, in order for it to serve you faithfully for a long time, you need to have basic knowledge of its maintenance and, if necessary, repair. You will learn how to repair air conditioners with your own hands in this article.

Many users of such complex equipment as an air conditioner are interested in the question: is it possible to repair the device on their own without resorting to the help of a specialist? Our answer is of course yes. However, before you start repairing household appliances, you need to know the cause of the breakdown, as well as what the air conditioner consists of. The main malfunctions of air conditioners will be presented below:

the amount of produced cold (heat) falls;
condensation begins to flow due to clogged drainage;
the air conditioner does not turn on and does not respond to the signal from the remote control;
there is an unpleasant odor during the operation of the equipment.

All of the above problems can be fixed on your own without resorting to the help of the wizard. You will learn how to do this further. But if you doubt your abilities, then you can call a master who will diagnose and make an inexpensive repair of air conditioners in Moscow.

There are a number of reasons for this problem, we will indicate the most common:

a refrigerant leak has occurred. It can occur randomly, therefore, it is required to check the sealing of the device and, if necessary, refuel the system with freon;
the heat pump has become unusable, or its components. In this case, it is necessary to calculate the part that has become unusable and replace it;
power drops in the network are possible. This often happens if the device does not have a stabilizer. If this happens, the air conditioner does not work and does not turn on at all. Consider this factor when installing;
there was a blockage in the air purification system. This is most often the most common problem, and appears when the equipment is not properly maintained. Therefore, it is recommended to clean filters and fans at least once every six months. The cleaning process is described in the operating instructions, if not available, then it can be found on the Internet.

Also, not only the air filtration system can become clogged, but also other parts of the air conditioner. As mentioned above, it is necessary to clean the device as often as possible, especially during the summer period. Due to the fact that some users forget or do not know at all that it is necessary to clean household appliances from dust and dirt, such problems as drainage leakage emerge. If you do not clean the pipe system from the debris that has formed there over time, then condensation will get into your apartment and an unpleasant odor may appear.

When the air conditioner does not start and does not respond to signals from the control panel, it is necessary at least to check the power supply from the mains. If the check showed that there are no problems in the electrical network, and the device still does not turn on, then it is advisable to check the batteries of the control panel. If replacing them did not help, then the control panel of the air conditioner itself needs to be repaired.

How do you know if it is worth repairing your equipment yourself? In what situations is it better not to touch the equipment and leave everything to a specialist? In cases where the malfunction of the air conditioner:

if the above reasons do not fit your problem;
if you can't fix the problem;
if the problem lies in more complex parts of the device that cannot be replaced.

Repairing components such as a compressor is not always possible to repair yourself, at least you need to have sufficient knowledge in electrical engineering. It is better to contact knowledgeable specialists or a service center if your device is under warranty.

In most cases of non-mechanical air conditioner malfunctions, they are displayed on the device display. All modern air conditioners are equipped with an automatic failure prevention system. Therefore, you should also pay attention to the indicator readings in order to avoid serious damage.

Also, as mentioned above, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance of the air conditioner as often as possible every month. This is advised by every manufacturer. Also, some manufacturers provide their services for maintaining your home equipment, which is very convenient if you do not always have time to do it yourself.

Do not forget about the operating instructions, which are attached to each device, respectively.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that it is still worth repairing a faulty air conditioner yourself. And if you have certain knowledge in this area, then you will save your money, since the service is not cheap. This is especially true of the question of how to repair air conditioners with your own hands.

If you notice a malfunction in the operation of your air conditioner, or it does not turn on at all, you need to think about whether it needs repair, and you can try to do it yourself, since the warranty period has long expired. Of course, you will not always be able to repair the air conditioner yourself. But still, there are such breakdowns that you can fix it yourself, even if you are far from being able to repair household appliances. By doing this, you will save money in your budget.The term "air conditioner" is represented by two English words, these are "air" - "air" and "condition", which today is understood as a device that maintains a given temperature in a room. This name has been known for a very long time. The most interesting thing is that this word was first mentioned in 1815.As history is glossing over, it was in this year that the French inventor Jeanne Chabannes was solemnly awarded an English patent for the invention of a method for "regulating the temperature in residential buildings and other buildings, that is, the method of air conditioning." And the first air conditioner was made not to maintain a certain temperature, but to establish a certain humidity.For a very long time, US companies held the lead in production and in new developments, but in the middle of the last century, the leadership passed to Japanese specialists. Maintenance of an air conditioner nowadays requires a long wait for a master who has studied the manual for repairing an air conditioner, it is an expensive undertaking, so you can take certain independent steps before contacting the repair serviceBefore using the services of a workshop, you can try DIY repairs. You need to understand that self-repair of an air conditioner is not an easy task, but a complex and responsible procedure, which is limited by opportunities, lack of certain knowledge and the necessary equipment. But some breakdowns can be dealt with on their own without using the services of a service company.First you need to find out if the faulty air conditioner is really a faulty one. Almost all modern models are equipped with special indicators that automatically notify major breakdowns. To find out which system failed, and how much it costs to repair the air conditioner, you can find out by the blinking and color of the failure indication light. The entire automatic diagnostic system for the blinking and color of the lights should be described in the instructions, so there should be no problems with troubleshooting.When an air conditioner malfunctions, the light blinks a certain number of times, according to the detected error. Common standard error codes for air conditioners with specific flashing light colors are shown below.1 time - One of the thermistors of the indoor unit, which controls the incoming air temperature through the gas pipe, is out of order. It is worth checking the operation of the thermistors of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Image - Do-it-yourself air conditioner drainage system repair

2 times - The outdoor unit thermistor is out of order, it is the temperature sensor of the incoming air or the gas pipe. To repair an air conditioner with your own hands, you need to check the performance of such thermistors.

3 times - The air conditioner works for cooling and heating the air, therefore it is so important to correctly set the operating modes of the air conditioner. Check that the cooling and heating control systems are working properly.

4 times - The compressor overload protection system is turned off. It is necessary to check the correct operation of the compressor protection against large overloads.

5 times - Errors in the exchange of information between outdoor and indoor units. Check the serviceability of the cable and the communication circuit of both units.

6 times - The power consumption of the executive devices of the external unit was briefly higher than the set rate. It is necessary to check the operability of the executive devices of the external unit and the main power transistors.

7 times - The total electrical voltage of the outdoor unit was above normal. You need to learn how to repair the air conditioner, check the refrigerant pressure in this system and the performance of the elements of the outdoor unit.

8 times - Fan motor is faulty. Check the operation of the engine and the control circuit of the engine elements.9 times - Directional valve defective. Check the functionality of this valve.10 times - The thermistor, which monitors the temperature of the compressor housing, does not work. Check the performance of the thermistor.Remember that some errors can occur when there is an accidental power failure in the system. This can be due to voltage surges in the network. Therefore, before starting work, watch a video about repairing an air conditioner, turn off the compressor, and then check the voltage in the network, and then turn it on after a few minutes. The causes of breakdowns in air conditioners are different, below we will describe their main ones.One of the signs of a breakdown of the air conditioner may be the absence of a signal coming to the control panel. The first thing to do is to check the power connection of the equipment. In this case, you need to turn off the air conditioner for a while from the power source, and then turn it on again. Image - Do-it-yourself air conditioner drainage system repair

If this does not help, you need to contact the service center specialists. Also, the air conditioner may not work due to the disconnected machine. It is also necessary to check the operation of the batteries installed in the control panel, since in hot weather they drain faster than usual.

One of the unpleasant and frequent problems that arise during operation is often dripping water and condensation. Many owners are stumped with this problem. Still, what is the reason for this breakdown and the cost of repairing the air conditioner in this case? Constantly dripping moisture most likely indicates a clogged water drain valve. This usually happens due to the fact that the equipment operates in cooling mode at negative temperatures.

You also need to know that water dripping from the indoor unit leads to unnecessary consequences. This can be expressed in the appearance of an ice plug that appears from the frozen condensate.

It is necessary to take the following measures to eliminate these shortcomings:

It is imperative to take preventive measures before the ice plug appears so that the cost of repairing an air conditioner does not skyrocket. This means that the drainage pipeline should be warmed up to plus 6 degrees. The best solution for effective heating is the use of a special cable during installation.
If an ice plug has already appeared, in such a situation it is worth waiting for warm weather. It is strictly forbidden to turn on the air conditioner for cooling after an ice block has formed.

Among other things, the opposite problem may also occur - an excessive draft that an air conditioner can create. But unlike repairing an air conditioner pump, drafts are much easier to deal with. Basically, you can use such a function, which is called “auto-oscillation of blinds”, which is found in almost all models of air conditioners.

It is worth installing the blinds on the panels in a horizontal position, and the excessive draft will turn into a small pleasant breeze that evenly cools the room. This function is usually always present in the air conditioner settings, and this is always written in the instructions.

In all other cases that occur, you need to contact the specialists at the service center. You should not disassemble the air conditioner unit itself or dismantle it if you still have it under warranty.

Also, the protective mesh can become clogged with dust or debris on the outer panel of the climatic equipment, which, of course, will affect the operation of this device. One of the symptoms of a malfunction is a very low cooling of the room. When water is dripping or pouring, it may be a problem in the drainage system, and not just a consequence of clogged filters.

First, you need to prepare the tools for repairing the air conditioner, remove the external panel of the equipment and clean it, be sure to check the integrity and condition of the drainage system after that. Contaminated filters are a big problem, especially for residents of cities and megalopolises where manufacturing and industrial enterprises operate.

Another reason may be poor-quality carpet for the floor, small particles of which can clog filters, making it impossible for the air conditioner to properly perform its intended purpose. The inefficiency of the air conditioner should not be ruled out, which is associated with the close proximity of electrical appliances: kettles, stoves, toasters, etc.

Above we have listed the air conditioner malfunctions, which are the most common during its operation. If you are faced with more complex breakdowns, you need to contact the company that sold you the air conditioner if the unit is under warranty. If the warranty has expired long ago, call the service team at home. And in the next article, we'll talk about the problems associated with the operation of the car air conditioner!

Most of the modes of domestic air conditioners and split systems provide for fully automatic operation and do not require user attention, with the exception of the drainage system.

Drainage system, how to use it and how to maintain it

The principles of operation of any refrigeration unit, including a domestic air conditioner, imply that in the process of cooling the air, a certain amount of condensate, that is, water, must form. And water, as you know, tends to seep into any holes, and even is an excellent conductor of electricity. Therefore, it will be safer for everyone to manage the process of removing water that has fallen out in the form of drops from the internal systems of the air conditioner.

To collect the accumulated condensate in the internal block of the split system, a special plastic tray is provided with a drain pipe connected to it, through which water naturally flows according to the laws of gravity into the sewers or directly onto the street.

If the drainage system (the tube itself, the outlet of the bath or drain) turns out to be clogged with dirt, then the water simply physically cannot leave the plastic tray, therefore it overflows over its edges, flowing down to the floor of the interior room.

Before you start installing the room air conditioning system, and then start its preventive maintenance, you should understand that there are two types of drainage systems:

Gravitational
Forced

In the first case, water from the air conditioner is removed by gravity, obeying the natural physical laws of gravity. This is the most common type of drainage in air conditioning systems.

The forced system involves the use of a special pump to help supply water upward, as well as in cases where the drainage system is too long. Just remember that in a forced air conditioning system, the drain pump itself is an additional element subject to various kinds of malfunctions and blockages. It should also be periodically cleaned of accumulated dirt, dust and lint.

How to properly maintain the drainage system of the air conditioner

Today, three methods of cleaning the drainage systems of air conditioners are most widely used.

External flushing... In this case, an aqueous solution of any suitable dishwashing detergent that removes grease well is used, or just pure water, which is poured into the drainage system through the evaporator of the air conditioner.
Flushing after disconnecting the drain tube. In this case, the drainage system is cleaned by blowing the hose with high pressure air. If the drainage hose is not too long and not of complex geometry, then it can be blown out with a regular household vacuum cleaner.
Flushing with complete disassembly of the indoor unit of the split system... The third cleaning option involves almost complete disassembly of the indoor unit of the split system, after which you can completely and thoroughly flush the drainage system of the air conditioner.

Immediately, we note that you can independently carry out only the first option for flushing the drainage system of the air conditioner. Complex cleaning of the system can be carried out by specialists of service centers if they have the appropriate qualifications and special equipment.

During the operation of the air conditioner, its drainage system can be so clogged that the capacity of household cleaning products will simply not be enough. And the lack of scheduled maintenance can lead to failure of the air conditioner.

Video (click to play).

You can find the nearest service center, get advice on repair or order a master's visit through our rating of service centers for the repair of air conditioners.

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