As a fellow residential service tech, I applaud you for always being able to provide good quality spoken commentary and video with one hand and do good quality work with the other. I watch all your videos, you're the best Ted!
Capping that drain pan is a big mistake. I don’t trust the switches and I don’t want to deal with a pan full of water in the attic. Enjoy your videos Ted. Take care.
No complaints about the length of the video. I’ve been on several of those types of calls where the laziness of the installers has created issues. Thanks Theodore 👍👍🇨🇦
Enjoy watching all your video.71 years old man here. Makes me won't to go back to work as an Appliance Technician again. Started out in a vocational School for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Miami Florida. My bodies says know.LOL
Use a union next time Ted, I don’t understand installing 100 couplings in a line that gets clogged so often or even not so often. Just my thoughts… great work as always Ted! Getting the job done, right then and there!
22:36 Looks like it is time for Ted to invest in a high-quality ratcheting PVC cutter! As always, always enjoy your videos from a fellow HVAC and Plumber / drain cleaner up here in crappy Connecticut!
My one question is why was the pan under the unit blocked off and leave only a float switch as the sole means of protection? Does that not defeat the purpose of the pan? I'd prefer fixing the pan and reply on gravity than an electro-mechanical shut of switch
Hey Ted, I worked on appliances for 5 years. I gave up on that in 2020 and now work for a company that services and repairs hospital instruments. I have kept watching you as a fan. Hospitals have a long flexible brush they use to clean ports on instruments of different sizes. I watched this video and thought it would be the perfect tool for you to have on the truck. Back in my appliance days i wish I knew cleaning brushes like this existed. I offer to send you a couple brushes as a fan of the channel. Let me know and address and give me a few days. I'll send you a few to try on your next No drain call.
Loved what you said about your installers leaving all that unglued. Down here near tampa Florida. Face same situation. Had installers that could get um up and running quickly but finish work always sucked. Little things like glue , heck making sure drain line was clear prior to starting up a new unit so I'm not back in 2 weeks with activated safety switches due to clogged drain already , making us look bad so now our installers are great at getting every aspect of an install done correctly . But it's one a day unless 2 side by side or something . And that's fine with me
Well I wish I was a young man still I would load up my family and move back to where you are and install for you but I just retired so that’s out of the question, keep up the great videos/work and I’ll keep watching.
I love the longer videos, its always entertaining to watch and I learn a thing or two along the way. Of course, not for DIY purposes! That would go against the channel name! 😅
Great video, wasn’t sure if you were going to add the wet switch but I saw it in the end. That’s a no brainier for that call. I usually put one in the drain line and one in the pan just to be safe
I have a strange question, is it always supposed to be that the primary drain is down low by the outside unit and the secondary/pan drain is up towards the eves in front of a window or door to be seen, or is it normal/okay to have the primary drip from up high and the secondary close to the ground? Saw one the other day that was primary high and wasn't sure if correct
Youre a good man uncle Ted. most other big wig corporate companies would be like what stain, what crack. thats not our fault. Honesty is the key to freedom. Have a good weekend.
My AC guys are as awesome as you . I’d like to clear my own drain if I can. Not to avoid them but I wouldn’t let my BFF in my house because I haven’t cleaned since hamstring tear. I guess a tablespoon of bleach per month and one of those gutter guards isn’t cutting it. That’s on me, not my wonderful AC crew.😊 my pvc drain seems a srep down in size but I can’t see the size bc it is covered by the outside facade ( and appears to be smaller than the pipe coming right out of the unit. My wonderful AC team showed in more detail than I could absorb due to sweating day and night (Florida) but I could not afford more than clean out at the tie (just paid 65,000 out of pocket for urgent surgery. Not messing around. I have the awesomeness AC team in FL (IMHO.) one sweet genius helped me replace my toilet innards when his AC work was done.
I noticed when you're running your vacuum you are leaving a really big bend in the hose end toward your drain cleaning device. If you make sure your vacuum hose is in the straightest line possible you will have way more suction power.
I have nearly the same set up as that one in the attic, installed in January 2021. I was having trouble with the drain line clogging. I'm using pan tablets now, and vacuum the line out every six weeks, and no slime comes out. No issues now.
I decided not to pm my condensate drain pre-season. Well I guess I could say that 11 or 12 times. Been a while. 12 or more years. I do change the filter and wash the condenser often enough. I check the suction and liquid line temps. I just look to see if I have a drip outside.Then just re-connect it to the French Drain, or maybe not. The weeds and unwanted oak trees need water too. Yep 11 pm I went to lay down and thought, Hmmm it is kinda warm in here. Had a power outage yesterday for 6 hours and it is not real hot out so I thought about this most of the night. Thought of any spare parts I did not have laying around somewhere. So at 6 am I opened up the pull down stairs. Took 2 steps up and pushed down on the pan-float switch and the condenser came on. Dang it. Now I have got to go see if I can find the shop vac and hope it works. Sears circa 1978. Grabbed my favorite extension cord. First one I ever bought for a job. 25 ft carol. 4.95 cents at T G & Y. Cut down 3 of the oak trees with The Loppers and had so much fun. I needed a set up like yours so I could see it come out but it was 5 huge chunks. The 3/4 inch condensate line runs down 2 inches and elbows to a 4 foot run and then elbows down to outside. So when I hook the shop vac to it it gets it all. Not much of a run. Not much to clog up. Vac out the pan and I guess it is nap time. Thank you for all the great videos. You blow my mind. You would think the same old man tought us both. Arm Chair Cowboy.
Just started watching your videos to see more problems that can occur while working on Hvac systems . From what I watched I havent seen the Milwaukee air tips . Have you took a look at them before ? I love using them for the lines and especially the drain pan . Not a bad price and sometimes you can get them on sale at Home Depot. You have me interested in that pump though , didn't know they had such a thing.
Smart move to abandon that drain, a concern would be how many other jobs was that hack on that might have the same issue, ceilings aren't cheap to repair.
Hi Mr. Cook, hope you are having a great day. It seems like you get a lot of leaks water leaks that is you are the king of water leaks and by the way I’ve watched all of your videos I think sometimes I got I have me a service truck to go in as much as I watch your videos, I know you’ll take care of this water leak signing out Tallahassee Florida red no that’s Fred Fred Fred got it
I’m very new to the trade so apologies if I sounds dumb. I was taught with plugged up condensate pipes, clear the line with some nitrogen. Then run water through to ensure the lines are clear. Would that be as good as what you’ve done here with the vacuum and soap water?
I cleaned the coil on my mom's Goodman a few weeks ago, how long do you think before it blows up? What was the point of abandoning that secondary? You had to replace the part on it anyway, why not connect it back to where it was?
Sometimes, when the reasonably concerned homeowner doesn’t bother to helicopter the installer a bit to guard against sloppy work, SHAME ON HIM, he gets what he deserves. I’ll gladly pay for the quality over quantity…EVERY TIME. Glad you’re not afraid to show, then own up to ‘the ugly’
Length of video was just right. I still don't understand why those drip pans are used. They collect junk/debris, as this one did, and plug up at the exit fitting. The junk in this case was the white insulation it looked to be. Then, once the primary drain got cleared, again more white junk or insulation came from the pipe onto the ground by the condenser unit. However, I don't know how that could happen, maybe that white debris in the primary line was simply a bunch of minerals? Why not plumb out two condensate drains, primary and secondary outside? Is the drip pan supposed to be there to prevent a complete evaporator case failure at some point?
Problem gonna come back soon if one doesnt find a way to keep that insulation from blowing into the drip pan. And, what is the blower for up in the attic? Seems like it shouldnt be there.
When I can’t clear them with a shop vac I’ll beat the pipe around a bit. Knock it and shake it around to loosen the clog up and try again and it works a good amount. Not always.
Get you a gallo gun and a 12$ harbor freight battery powered water pump. Clear tge drain with the co2 gallo gun and use the pump to pump the pan water in the drain. Man thos things will save you carrying so much up in the attics.
I watched this video like a week and a half ago recently after having a dishwasher drain pipe leak causing ceiling damage I've got to fix. we then had to leave on a family vacation. i thought to myself it would be smart to turn off the water main.. came back home to find water dripping from the upstairs ceiling. go up in the attic, HVAC drain pan is entirely full and dripping... the float didn't shut it down.. I just got done fixing it.. turned out some critter dropped two acorns down into the vertical vent pipe..
So… (That was your install…)😅 the question is… Did they do their “annual maintenance” which would include cleaning out the condensate drain line? At our company, we have people that have us come spring and fall to do maintenance… But then we have a few that don’t , and they never call us , until there’s a problem….. usually it’s something that could’ve been prevented. (Had they done the maintenance) I’m not sure how you handle situations like that… Naturally, the drain runs down through the wall and that was existing (and not part of the install)… But it should’ve been blown out at least , at the time of the initial installation of the equipment….. nevertheless, even if the customer “ failed to do the necessary maintenance” if it was installed a year and half ago or less … We end up doing it at no cost… It seems
As a fellow residential service tech, I applaud you for always being able to provide good quality spoken commentary and video with one hand and do good quality work with the other. I watch all your videos, you're the best Ted!
Capping that drain pan is a big mistake. I don’t trust the switches and I don’t want to deal with a pan full of water in the attic. Enjoy your videos Ted. Take care.
No complaints about the length of the video. I’ve been on several of those types of calls where the laziness of the installers has created issues. Thanks Theodore 👍👍🇨🇦
Enjoy watching all your video.71 years old man here. Makes me won't to go back to work as an Appliance Technician again. Started out in a vocational School for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Miami Florida. My bodies says know.LOL
We knew the clog wasn’t in the trap when the vent tube spewed water Ted. Love your videos.
Use a union next time Ted, I don’t understand installing 100 couplings in a line that gets clogged so often or even not so often. Just my thoughts… great work as always Ted! Getting the job done, right then and there!
No need to apologize for the long video. You fixed the problem and all is good. I'm sure you're insured for the damage. Thxs for the vids!
Nice cleanout Ted above & beyond ... Thx
22:36 Looks like it is time for Ted to invest in a high-quality ratcheting PVC cutter!
As always, always enjoy your videos from a fellow HVAC and Plumber / drain cleaner up here in crappy Connecticut!
Why didn’t that pan have a secondary wet switch?
My one question is why was the pan under the unit blocked off and leave only a float switch as the sole means of protection? Does that not defeat the purpose of the pan? I'd prefer fixing the pan and reply on gravity than an electro-mechanical shut of switch
Hey Ted, I worked on appliances for 5 years. I gave up on that in 2020 and now work for a company that services and repairs hospital instruments. I have kept watching you as a fan. Hospitals have a long flexible brush they use to clean ports on instruments of different sizes. I watched this video and thought it would be the perfect tool for you to have on the truck. Back in my appliance days i wish I knew cleaning brushes like this existed. I offer to send you a couple brushes as a fan of the channel. Let me know and address and give me a few days. I'll send you a few to try on your next No drain call.
Its chockers mate! This video is like a Drain Cleaning Australia crossover
Loved what you said about your installers leaving all that unglued. Down here near tampa Florida. Face same situation. Had installers that could get um up and running quickly but finish work always sucked. Little things like glue , heck making sure drain line was clear prior to starting up a new unit so I'm not back in 2 weeks with activated safety switches due to clogged drain already , making us look bad so now our installers are great at getting every aspect of an install done correctly . But it's one a day unless 2 side by side or something . And that's fine with me
Ted thanks as always for the knowledge I am glad you were able to correct the problem issue
Ted, Nice job. Have a great weekend.
Well I wish I was a young man still I would load up my family and move back to where you are and install for you but I just retired so that’s out of the question, keep up the great videos/work and I’ll keep watching.
I love the longer videos, its always entertaining to watch and I learn a thing or two along the way. Of course, not for DIY purposes! That would go against the channel name! 😅
Great video, wasn’t sure if you were going to add the wet switch but I saw it in the end. That’s a no brainier for that call. I usually put one in the drain line and one in the pan just to be safe
YOU are honest and trustworthy>>>>>>Bless YOU!
Love the video Ted,
Not to long
Thank god I'm in the northeast and we have basements where we put our HVAC and water heaters. No worry about leaking here.
I have a strange question, is it always supposed to be that the primary drain is down low by the outside unit and the secondary/pan drain is up towards the eves in front of a window or door to be seen, or is it normal/okay to have the primary drip from up high and the secondary close to the ground?
Saw one the other day that was primary high and wasn't sure if correct
What really sucks is they did not turn the unit off and just kept on letting it damage more and more
Well done Ted, that was a thorough clean, it should cure the leaking problem 👍 Au
dude does it right and takes responsibility.....
Thanks for sharing Ted really enjoyed it
Youre a good man uncle Ted. most other big wig corporate companies would be like what stain, what crack. thats not our fault. Honesty is the key to freedom. Have a good weekend.
nice vedios good demo Great
My AC guys are as awesome as you . I’d like to clear my own drain if I can. Not to avoid them but I wouldn’t let my BFF in my house because I haven’t cleaned since hamstring tear. I guess a tablespoon of bleach per month and one of those gutter guards isn’t cutting it. That’s on me, not my wonderful AC crew.😊 my pvc drain seems a srep down in size but I can’t see the size bc it is covered by the outside facade ( and appears to be smaller than the pipe coming right out of the unit. My wonderful AC team showed in more detail than I could absorb due to sweating day and night (Florida) but I could not afford more than clean out at the tie (just paid 65,000 out of pocket for urgent surgery. Not messing around. I have the awesomeness AC team in FL (IMHO.) one sweet genius helped me replace my toilet innards when his AC work was done.
I noticed when you're running your vacuum you are leaving a really big bend in the hose end toward your drain cleaning device. If you make sure your vacuum hose is in the straightest line possible you will have way more suction power.
I have nearly the same set up as that one in the attic, installed in January 2021. I was having trouble with the drain line clogging. I'm using pan tablets now, and vacuum the line out every six weeks, and no slime comes out. No issues now.
I decided not to pm my condensate drain pre-season. Well I guess I could say that 11 or 12 times. Been a while. 12 or more years. I do change the filter and wash the condenser often enough. I check the suction and liquid line temps. I just look to see if I have a drip outside.Then just re-connect it to the French Drain, or maybe not. The weeds and unwanted oak trees need water too. Yep 11 pm I went to lay down and thought, Hmmm it is kinda warm in here. Had a power outage yesterday for 6 hours and it is not real hot out so I thought about this most of the night. Thought of any spare parts I did not have laying around somewhere. So at 6 am I opened up the pull down stairs. Took 2 steps up and pushed down on the pan-float switch and the condenser came on. Dang it. Now I have got to go see if I can find the shop vac and hope it works. Sears circa 1978. Grabbed my favorite extension cord. First one I ever bought for a job. 25 ft carol. 4.95 cents at T G & Y. Cut down 3 of the oak trees with The Loppers and had so much fun. I needed a set up like yours so I could see it come out but it was 5 huge chunks. The 3/4 inch condensate line runs down 2 inches and elbows to a 4 foot run and then elbows down to outside. So when I hook the shop vac to it it gets it all. Not much of a run. Not much to clog up. Vac out the pan and I guess it is nap time. Thank you for all the great videos. You blow my mind. You would think the same old man tought us both. Arm Chair Cowboy.
Just started watching your videos to see more problems that can occur while working on Hvac systems . From what I watched I havent seen the Milwaukee air tips . Have you took a look at them before ? I love using them for the lines and especially the drain pan . Not a bad price and sometimes you can get them on sale at Home Depot. You have me interested in that pump though , didn't know they had such a thing.
Really enjoy your videos
Nice work!!
Smart move to abandon that drain, a concern would be how many other jobs was that hack on that might have the same issue, ceilings aren't cheap to repair.
Don't mind long videos. Where does all that junk come from? Can you prevent it? Nice Job!!!
I really enjoyed watching your videos. What HVAC brands would you recommend for a basic unit?
Nice video and clean out
Any reason not to drop a few nu-calgon tabs in the primary pan??
Hi Mr. Cook, hope you are having a great day. It seems like you get a lot of leaks water leaks that is you are the king of water leaks and by the way I’ve watched all of your videos I think sometimes I got I have me a service truck to go in as much as I watch your videos, I know you’ll take care of this water leak signing out Tallahassee Florida red no that’s Fred Fred Fred got it
hey Ted, I like those M18 vacs -- but I'm on my 2nd or third warranty repl. Bad switch. I've got a back up on the shelf now.
Job well done Ted
Regular PM is needed for clearing condensate lines. I hate those float switches. Would rather have a properly working overflow pan drain.
It's amazing that even if we don't have time to do it right the first time, We always find time to go back and fix it right the second time. 🤔
Great job as always Ted. 😎👍
💦💦💦💦💦💦
I’m very new to the trade so apologies if I sounds dumb. I was taught with plugged up condensate pipes, clear the line with some nitrogen. Then run water through to ensure the lines are clear. Would that be as good as what you’ve done here with the vacuum and soap water?
I like these longer videos!
I cleaned the coil on my mom's Goodman a few weeks ago, how long do you think before it blows up?
What was the point of abandoning that secondary? You had to replace the part on it anyway, why not connect it back to where it was?
What drain cleaner solution are you using and recommend? Viper?
From the words of our most popular @Drain Addict “Blocked Drain!!”
I believe that the secondary condensate pan tapping should have a trap.
Know the feeling on worn out! My range don’t extend as long as it used to either
Enjoyed! Thank you
how did the drain pass inspection ive never seen anything like that
I like the long videos
nice work,the question is how many did he leave like that.
Sometimes, when the reasonably concerned homeowner doesn’t bother to helicopter the installer a bit to guard against sloppy work, SHAME ON HIM, he gets what he deserves.
I’ll gladly pay for the quality over quantity…EVERY TIME.
Glad you’re not afraid to show, then own up to ‘the ugly’
I'd be nervous about relying on float switch alone. I've had a few fail on me.
thanks for the video!
Looked like insulation to me. How did it get in the return?
Why did they Put a trap on a positive pressure system ?
Negative pressure systems I understand needing a trap to drain properly.
Length of video was just right. I still don't understand why those drip pans are used. They collect junk/debris, as this one did, and plug up at the exit fitting. The junk in this case was the white insulation it looked to be. Then, once the primary drain got cleared, again more white junk or insulation came from the pipe onto the ground by the condenser unit. However, I don't know how that could happen, maybe that white debris in the primary line was simply a bunch of minerals? Why not plumb out two condensate drains, primary and secondary outside? Is the drip pan supposed to be there to prevent a complete evaporator case failure at some point?
Whatever happened to your "Yellow Death"? Is this blue stuff actually better?
Problem gonna come back soon if one doesnt find a way to keep that insulation from blowing into the drip pan. And, what is the blower for up in the attic? Seems like it shouldnt be there.
When I can’t clear them with a shop vac I’ll beat the pipe around a bit. Knock it and shake it around to loosen the clog up and try again and it works a good amount. Not always.
I just did mine last week. I was over thinking it.
What size battery are you using for your shop vac?
I was going to ask about using a long snake to clear the drain, but I guess it would be risky in there are unglued joints inside the wall.
Here in Florida we have shut off valves so this doesn't happen in the first place.
Are these HVaC systems in the attics because of the house being built on a slab?
I can't believe you guys don't have to put a float switch on the secondary drain, preventing the pan from filling. looked like insulation in it.
90° elbows and water are never a good idea. They create turbulence in the pipe.
You better use 2X 45°
👍👍👍Did not seem that long to me 😎☕
Get you a gallo gun and a 12$ harbor freight battery powered water pump. Clear tge drain with the co2 gallo gun and use the pump to pump the pan water in the drain. Man thos things will save you carrying so much up in the attics.
Did you put the unit in ?
I still want to know what parts are used to create the adapter that attached to the shop vac to connect to the condensate drain pipe
You should have checked All fittings to see if they were glued.
Yeahhhhh, new content 🎉
Good job
I highly recommend the Milwaukee pvc cutter. It is way better than the husky one
You should quote them a EZ p trap and you have a float switch on it was well 🎉😊
Bring a couple of gallon freezer bags , to put stuff in, so it won’t get in your bag .
I'm thinking some preventive maintenance would have eliminated that problem, but I know that it's hard to sell in this downturn economy. 😎
I watched this video like a week and a half ago recently after having a dishwasher drain pipe leak causing ceiling damage I've got to fix. we then had to leave on a family vacation. i thought to myself it would be smart to turn off the water main.. came back home to find water dripping from the upstairs ceiling. go up in the attic, HVAC drain pan is entirely full and dripping... the float didn't shut it down.. I just got done fixing it.. turned out some critter dropped two acorns down into the vertical vent pipe..
The. Helicopter ride 🚁
For sure, it was lots of time going up and down the attic
Some Henry's 208 will remedy that leak real quick and it will bond under water.
thx for the lvideo
Can’t believe you don have a proper set of pipe cutters
Who pays for the water damage repair on something like that?
Looks like the pan was stepped on to me
why not just back flush the line using a water hose adapted to a 3/4 inch pvc fitting to clear the clog?
So… (That was your install…)😅 the question is… Did they do their “annual maintenance” which would include cleaning out the condensate drain line? At our company, we have people that have us come spring and fall to do maintenance… But then we have a few that don’t , and they never call us , until there’s a problem….. usually it’s something that could’ve been prevented. (Had they done the maintenance)
I’m not sure how you handle situations like that… Naturally, the drain runs down through the wall and that was existing (and not part of the install)… But it should’ve been blown out at least , at the time of the initial installation of the equipment….. nevertheless, even if the customer “ failed to do the necessary maintenance” if it was installed a year and half ago or less … We end up doing it at no cost… It seems
I would say there is no glue on that whole run. I see more leaks in the future.
No l like long videos, we just need more.
Ooof. Lot of trouble just because of a few cut corners on an install eh.
That's why we don't use metal drain pan's
It's either quality or quantity.