Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why do condensate drains clog up so often, and How to Stop It? Ty Branaman sits down for a candid conversation covering the real-world causes of drain clogs and the field-tested fixes that go beyond the standard fix. It all starts with humidity, stagnant water, and the switch from copper to aluminum coils, which has opened the door to more microbial growth and more drain issues than ever before. From there, the conversation moves into practical solutions technicians can try in the field, whether it's a small piece of brazing rod dropped into the line, copper-impregnated drain line, or building an overflow valve box for units with nowhere else for water to go.
Why stagnant water and climate drive clog frequency
How aluminum coils changed microbial growth compared to copper
Using silver and brazing rod to help reduce buildup
Why bleach should be avoided in condensate lines
The value of hot water and shop vac flushing technique
How unit slope and support issues contribute to drainage problems
A rare real-world case: an unusual clog caused by slugs
Alternative drain routing and valve box overflow solutions
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
Why do condensate drains clog up so often, and How to Stop It? Ty Branaman sits down for a candid conversation covering the real-world causes of drain clogs and the field-tested fixes that go beyond the standard fix. It all starts with humidity, stagnant water, and the switch from copper to aluminum coils, which has opened the door to more microbial growth and more drain issues than ever before. From there, the conversation moves into practical solutions technicians can try in the field, whether it's a small piece of brazing rod dropped into the line, copper-impregnated drain line, or building an overflow valve box for units with nowhere else for water to go.
Why stagnant water and climate drive clog frequency
How aluminum coils changed microbial growth compared to copper
Using silver and brazing rod to help reduce buildup
Why bleach should be avoided in condensate lines
The value of hot water and shop vac flushing technique
How unit slope and support issues contribute to drainage problems
A rare real-world case: an unusual clog caused by slugs
Alternative drain routing and valve box overflow solutions
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
