On Jun 30, 6:53*pm, "Dave" wrote:
"Pete C." wrote in message

ster.com...





Dave wrote:

Have just installed a piece into the drip line of my home's central A/C
evaporator unit that will allow me to connect a garden hose and wash out
the
line downstream from the evaporator, as well as adding bleach water to
the
same part of the system. Thing is, the 3/4" PVC pipe was almost
completely
blocked by whatever is growing in there, and now I am wondering if my
evaporator coil is in similar condition. *It's been at least ten years
since
this unit was installed, and it is a sealed unit, with no access to the
drip
pan for placement of tablets or chemicles to prevent the growth of what
now
nearly blocks my drip line. *Am I going to have to pay someone to take
this
damn thing apart and clean it, or is it possible that I could do that? *I
am
fairly handy with tools, but have never (yet) attempted anything like
this.
What say those who know about such things? *I am willing to tackle it, I
would just hate to screw it up.

Just for informational purposes, the evaporator sits above the blower
unit
(in a closet at the center of the house) and the rest of the system is up
in
the attic (ductwork) and outside (compressor, I believe it is called.) *I
guess I need to get some estimates, and talk with someone who does this
professionally. *In the meantime I am all ears for those who care to
share
their opinions on what I describe.

Thanks,

Dave

Definitely not a sealed unit. There should be a cover or covers that are
easily removable with two or four screws to access and inspect the "A"
coil and blower. It's unlikely that there is any gunk growing on the "A"
coil, but it could be grungy if the filters have not been properly
maintained. The condensate pan(s) below the "A" coil could have some
growing gunk potentially.

Also, be careful with any garden hose flushing since depending on how
things are setup, it could backflow, overflow the condensate pan(s) and
run down onto the blower and blower motor.

You should snake the drain line to clear most of the gunk before trying
to flush anything.

Hey Pete,

Thanks for the quick reply. *I have looked for removable panels, but all I
see looks like sheet metal wrapped around and taped. *And I installed a ball
valve "upstream" of the bit that the hose hooks to, so it can be turned off
to prevent water from flowing back into the drip pan.

And I have already found someone with whom I have a working relationship to
come out and look at the beast, for a reasonable price. *So I will probably
not be tackling this one. *And *if* I hook a hose up to it, I will have the
wife inside watching for any cataclysmic events while we talk on the
wireless phone, so I can shut the water back off post haste. *I may just add
more bleach water, and call that good. *It is flowing, just very slowly..

BTW, *I really don't know that a snake will do this job, as there are
several ninety-degree corners in the drain line before it makes its way
outside. *And it is only 3/4" PVC. *I don't know if anyone makes a snake
that small, although I have one close to it. *I think it's only 25 feet
though, and this would likely require at least thirty-five feet I believe..

'Preciate it...

Dave


Lol, on a properly installed and sealed section of ductwork you might
have to remove some of the foil tape and mastic sealing the edges to
do a major servicing of the coil by taking the duct apart... Which is
why you would call a service company in to do that work if you don't
know how to do it yourself...

Did you expect a small square access panel that had a label on it
"coil inside" ?

~~ Evan