Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2023

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2023

Tech News

silver, are also useful against fungi and viruses. PRIME THE DRAIN AND WATCH We suggest priming the drain pan by pouring water directly into it. When you do that, you simulate water coming off the evaporator coil and fill the trap to confirm that the pitch is correct. You can consider going outside and making sure the water runs consistently. When the stream is constant and steady, you’ll know that there are no more blockages. When there are uneven spurts of water, then you’ll know you have another problem. It would also be wise to leave the unit running after you finish the cleaning job. That way, you can see if it drains by its own power. CHECK AIRFLOW TO KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND Airflow efficiency and drainage may not seem to be that closely linked, but you’d be surprised at the issues that high static pressure and high coil air velocity can cause. Whenever you have issues with intermittent drainage, popping sounds at the drain, or water blowing off the coil or out of the pan, check your static pressure and air settings. A double trap may also be the culprit of these problems. Double traps impede drainage because air gets caught between the traps and prevents dra in age. On that note, don’t cap vents if you’re not actively cleaning a drain! Cleanouts get a cap; vents (after the trap) do not. Cleaning drains may seem like gross, mundane work, but learning to clean a drain properly is an invaluable skill. Even though there is a lot to consider when cleaning a drain properly, your customers will thank you for your careful work and you ’ ll have fewer call backs.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON CHEMICALS Chemicals are a decent supplement to other cleaning techniques, but we do not recommend using them on their own. Chemicals are most effective when they are diluted to the manufacturer’s instructions and allowed to sit in a single spot and work their magic. You also have to be mindful of where the chemicals go. As I briefly mentioned earlier, you will want to avoid using chemicals if the drain lets out in a place with plants and personal property. Some sewer systems cannot handle certain chemicals, so you should make sure the drain line either leads to a safe outdoor location or that the sewer/septic can handle the chemicals you use. If you want to add chemicals to your treatment routine, we recommend using Refrigeration Technologies products. Their Viper Pan & Drain Treatment is a great addition to your drain cleaning toolbox. RECOGNIZE ZOOGLOEA BUILDUP AND TREAT IT (CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO) People have developed several names for the infamous white slime that blocks their drains: elephant snot, the Florida condensate snake, you name it. No matter what you call it, bacterial zoogloea is a problem that has only gotten worse with the widespread usage of aluminum coils. It helps to understand what causes zoogloea. The slimy residue accumulates very quickly and relies on environmental conditions for development. It's especially problematic in humid climates. Introducing copper to a drain line will help solve a zoogloea problem. Copper in a drain creates ions that serve an antibacterial purpose. Copper and some other metals, like