AC Drain Line Overflow Cleanup

Common causes we see

• Algae and biofilm blocking the condensate drain line
• Rusted-through or cracked secondary drain pan under an attic unit
• Float switch missing, disconnected or failed
• Drain line improperly sloped or disconnected at a joint

Signs you need AC Drain Line Overflow Cleanup now

• A water stain on the ceiling directly beneath or beside the air handler
• Standing water in the secondary pan under an attic unit
• The system short-cycling or shutting down on a float switch
• Water discharging from the emergency overflow pipe outside

Situations we handle every week

• The ceiling under the attic unit is stained and sagging
• It has overflowed twice this summer and the HVAC company just cleared the line
• You only found it because the AC shut itself off

What happens if it is left alone

• Attic condensate overflows saturate ceiling insulation and drywall until the ceiling plane fails
• Condensate is nutrient-rich biological water, so growth in the pan, on the plenum and in wet insulation is rapid
• Water running down the air handler stand rots the platform and reaches top plates and wall cavities
• Wet insulation around ductwork drives condensation on the duct exterior and spreads the moisture problem across the attic

How we handle ac drain line overflow cleanup

1. 1Shut the system down and stop the overflowThe unit is switched off at the thermostat and breaker so the coil stops producing condensate while we work, and standing water is removed from the pan.
2. 2Clear the drain and check the safetiesThe line is cleared and flushed, the primary and secondary pans are inspected for corrosion, and the float switch is tested or replaced — that switch is what prevents the repeat.
3. 3Assess the ceiling belowThe ceiling is checked for sagging and drained under control if it is holding water, before anyone works beneath it.
4. 4Remove wet insulation and drySaturated attic insulation is bagged out, the ceiling plane, joists and platform are dried with monitored equipment, and the air handler area is treated with antimicrobial.
5. 5Rebuild and preventCeiling drywall, texture and insulation are restored, and we document the pan, switch and line condition so the underlying fault gets corrected rather than just cleared again.

What's included

• System shutdown and pan water removal
• Condensate line clearing and flush
• Secondary pan and float switch inspection
• Controlled ceiling drainage where required
• Wet attic insulation removal and replacement
• Ceiling drywall, texture and paint restoration

How this differs from similar services

Read before you decide