Where Did White Slime Come From?
Your system may have white slime in the condensate pump, evaporator pan, and drain lines, among other places. Microorganisms thrive in this damp, gloomy environment. Here, the slime serves as a cover for a bacterial colony that feeds on dust. The presence of this bacterium in the condensate drain pan may indicate that your air conditioner is too large, which could result in brief operating cycles that give the microorganisms a warm, humid, and friendly environment in which to flourish.
How It’s Interfering with Your System?
This white substance can develop into a variety of problems as it gets bigger, all of which will require aircon repair assistance to resolve. These microorganisms can cause serious issues swiftly if maintenance requirements are neglected because of their rapid growth:
- Increasing and limiting the condensate flow lines.
- Expanding to the point when condensate lines are blocked, overflowing the evaporator pan.
- Causing issues with mould growth in insulation and ducting.
- Causing expensive property damage due to leaks in your house.
What Issues Might White Slime Raise?
Apart from its disgusting look, the white slime is safe—at least initially. But if you ignore it, the slime might clog the drain tube on your air conditioner. Your home’s drain pan’s moisture cannot escape due to a clogged drain line. Rather, it builds up until it finally overflows.
Certain air conditioning units will automatically turn off before the drain pan overflowing. As a result, your thermostat may give an error message and your air conditioner may cease to chill. Other systems might not have a warning at all. Water damage from the overflowing drain pan may encourage the growth of mold. A musty smell emanating from your vents or standing water close to your air conditioner could be your first clue that something is not right and needs home AC cleaning.
All We Know That Could Influence AC White Slime Accumulation
Due to the unusually hot and muggy summer weather, our systems have been running nonstop. This is especially true if you maintain your thermostat at 76 degrees or below. The ideal temperature for air conditioners to cool your house is 20 degrees lower than the outside air temperature.
For instance, your air conditioner will effectively chill your house to 78 degrees if the outside temperature is 98 degrees. With a temperature of 76 degrees or lower, your aircon system will run nearly continuously to meet your needs. The continuous operation of your air conditioning system will keep your coil and drain pan damp, which will foster the ideal conditions for the growth of white slime.
The more recent, highly efficient systems that have been available for purchase for a few years feature larger coils and draw twice as much water as the earlier models. Extended operating durations result in mostly constantly damp coils and water-filled drain pans.
How Can The Issue Be Resolved?
You don’t want white goo to form in the first place. However, if you already have a slime issue, a full cleaning of your AC is required.
If Your Drain Line Is Clogged:
- Speak with your HVAC specialist if your drain line is clogged. The service technicians are equipped and trained to handle white slime.
- The expert will check the drain line and remove any water or sludge from the drain pan when they arrive at your house. After that, they’ll probably connect a wet/dry vacuum to the opening of the exterior drain line and remove everything from the pipe.
- Once the blockage has been removed, it’s critical to eradicate any leftover bacteria. The professional you hire will use the proper cleaning solution to clean the drain pan and drain line.
To Stop The Accumulation Of White Slime:
To protect your air conditioner against white slime, it is important to maintain it regularly.
- An inspection of the drain line is typically part of an annual (or semi-annual) air conditioner tune-up. More frequent maintenance can be required in systems that consistently experience white slime problems.
- Regularly replace the AC filter. Unfiltered dust and grime gather on the coil and provide food for bacteria when your filter is jammed.
- In between regular maintenance visits, ask your HVAC professional for advice on how to maintain the cleanliness of the drain line. They can advise filling the drain line with a bleach solution that has been mixed in equal amounts with water and then flushing the line with water. While it’s generally not advised to use bleach in an AC drain line, your technician may decide to do so based on the severity of the slime problem.
Protecting Against White Slime Accumulation Within Your Air Conditioner Drainage Pan:
Especially in the summer, try to keep your thermostat set no more than 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature. Your energy cost will decrease as a result of this as well. If you feel that the air in your room is too warm, you can utilize the ceiling fans in your house to help circulate the cooler air. Just make sure the fan is turning in a clockwise motion. Don’t forget to switch off fans in rooms that aren’t in use to further reduce your electricity costs!
Maintain your air conditioning system, especially throughout the summer. Make sure to run a 50/50 bleach solution through your drain line and change your filters regularly in between your regularly scheduled maintenance appointments,