How much vinegar for 24 foot PVC condensate pipe run and then antifreeze?...

wcweaver3

Hi,
My AC unit is seperate from the heating system and the AC unit resides in an upstairs closet. I want to clean the PVC condensate pipe as it's end of season. It's a standard diameter PVC condensate line. It has a horizontal run (with the appropriate slope) of about 24 feet and then it exits the house and drops about 15 feet to the ground. The entire run of condensate line was installed, brand new, in July.

1) I don't know how much vinegar to run through the pipe to clean it out or at least inhibit growth of mold, etc. Any thoughts?

2) As the previous condensate pipe fractured due to freezing over last winter (and caused a very costly remediation and repair job) I want to make sure it's protected. I've seen PVC friendly antifreeze used in RV's, etc. I was thinking of running a gallon of it through the pipe so in the event there is some left over residual water, (maybe in a place where the slope isn't as good as it should be) then it will mix with the antifreeze and hopefully not freeze. I welcome thoughts about this strategy and am wide open to better ones.

Many thanks for your help!

pecmsg

IF properly run and supported no need for Vinegar. 

If you use antifreeze insure the A/C can’t operate until next season or the new condensate will dilute it. 

EBEBRATT-Ed

A pipe has to be "full" of water to freeze and burst or crack.. A little bit of water in a pipe may freeze but will not cause any damage,

If you have a trap make sure it is emptied or blow it out with air.

ChrisJ

I tried adding RV antifreeze to my trap in my attic and found every year it evaporated so I gave up.
I just ignore it now and if I think of it, add some water to the trap when I fire the system up.

Otherwise I just let it fill it self with condensate as it doesn't run long enough to matter early on (it shuts off and lets the condensate drain before the pan could ever come close to overflowing).

But, if you're a person that tends to wait until it's 90F and humid out before firing the A/C up, I'd highly recommend filling the trap manually before doing so. You'll be in for a bad day otherwise.

SuperTech

Just vacuum it out with a shop vac if you're worried about it. 

wcweaver3

Many thanks for the valluable insights - most appreciated!