High-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners both make water, up to several gallons a day. It drains through a trap and a small line, often to a condensate pump that lifts it to a floor drain or laundry sink. When any part of that path clogs, the system shuts itself off or water ends up on the floor.
The usual culprits: algae and sludge in the trap, a condensate pump with a stuck float, a line that freezes where it exits the house (common in Halden when drains are run outside), or a line with no slope.
We clear and flush the lines, replace the pump if its float or motor is failing, add a safety float switch that shuts the system off before water overflows, and reroute any line that's at risk of freezing.
Signs you need this
- Water on the floor around the furnace or AC coil
- The furnace or AC shuts off and restarts on its own
- A gurgling sound from the furnace
- The condensate pump runs constantly or not at all
- Ice on a drain line where it exits the house
How it works
Trace the drain
From the coil and furnace to the floor drain, including the pump.
Clear and repair
Flush lines, clean the trap, replace the pump or add a safety switch.
Freeze-proof
Reroute or heat-trace any line that exits through an exterior wall.
Common questions
Can I clear the drain myself?
Often, yes. Pour a cup of warm water with a little vinegar into the drain access port. If that doesn't help, or the pump isn't running, call us.
Why did my drain freeze?
It probably runs outside or through an unheated space. We'll reroute it to an indoor drain.
What's a safety float switch?
A $40 sensor that shuts the system off if water backs up, before it overflows. We recommend one on every coil.