how to clean a condensate pump
In our most recent post, we discussed how debris and algae may make their way into the drain lines of an HVAC system, causing them to get clogged and ultimately leading to flooding in the home. But a flood isn’t the only thing that might come from running the HVAC system, and the most common cause is a blockage in the system. Condensation will be allowed to build up and lead to flooding in the home if the condensate pump fails to do its job. A homeowner will want the pump to have as long of a lifespan as possible since, in the event that the unit fails, they will be required to turn off the heating and cooling system until the pump can be fixed or replaced.
The bottom of a condensate pump is nothing more than a reservoir for the water that has been collected, while the top houses all of the components that are responsible for the pump’s operation.
Several components, including the wiring, the discharge valve and hose, the casing housing the motor, and the inlet port, are all connected to the top and run to and from it. In addition to this port, there is one more port in which the bottom of the reservoir can be seen.
The expert performing the repair will unplug the pump, disconnect the intake and drain line, and then use a flathead screwdriver to open the unit at the gap on the side between the two sections so that they may inspect the interior.
There are a few different things that need to be checked in the pump. There is a possibility that the reservoir is contaminated with dirt, algae, and debris. Sometimes there will even be a mouse or lizard that has already passed away. It is necessary to completely remove all of the muck. It is in fact beneficial to do regular cleaning on pumps because doing so can greatly lengthen their service lives.
The water level is monitored by the water float, which then communicates that information to the pump so that it knows when to begin operating. The float need to be able to move about freely. It is important to keep the impeller basket, which has a round columnar shape and slots, clean and clear of any dirt. The discharge valve should also be clean and may be removed and cleaned using a cotton swab or a small bristle cleaner. Both of these cleaning tools can be found at most hardware stores.
After it has been thoroughly cleaned, the component needs to be put back where it came from and reconnected. If it isn’t connected back in once the reservoir is full, there will be a flood if it isn’t plugged back in once the reservoir is full. It is possible to verify if the pump is functioning properly by adding a little amount of water to the reservoir.
After the pump has been disinfected and reconnected, the filter on the air intake should be changed out. A little bit of care goes a long way, just like it is with any other item. Although pumps of this type are relatively inexpensive (about $40 per), it is imperative that they be kept clean and in good functioning order in order to ensure that they continue to function properly. A homeowner will want the pump to have as long of a lifespan as possible since, in the event that the unit fails, they will be required to turn off the heating and cooling system until the pump can be fixed or replaced.
A word of caution: due to the fact that these pumps are powered by 120-volt electricity, it is essential to exercise extreme caution when working in close proximity to them when they are operational. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that they are hooked into a GFCI switch.
THE PARTS
The bottom section of a condensate pump is nothing more than a reservoir for the water that has been collected, while the top portion houses all of the components that are responsible for the pump’s operation. The wiring, the inlet port, the discharge valve and hose, and the casing for the motor are all connected to the top in some way. Additionally, the top houses the discharge valve. In addition to this port, there is one more port in which the bottom of the reservoir can be seen.Taking it apart
THE PROCESS
Unplug the pump, detach the intake and drain line, and then use a flathead screwdriver to open the unit at the gap on the side between the two sections so that you can look inside. This will allow you to see what’s going on within the pump.The housing for the pump contains a number of different components. There may be some dirt, algae, and debris stuck inside the water reservoir, which is located at the very bottom. Sometimes there will even be a mouse or lizard that has already passed away. It is necessary to remove all of the stuff from there. In point of fact, giving your pump a thorough cleaning on a regular basis can considerably lengthen its lifespan, making it profitable to do so.Purifying the apparatus
HOW IT WORKS
When the water level in the reservoir reaches a certain threshold, the water float sends a signal to the pump to let it know that it is safe to begin pumping water out of the reservoir. The float need to be able to move about freely. It is important to keep the impeller basket, which has a round columnar shape and slots, clean and clear of any dirt. The discharge valve should also be clean and may be removed and cleaned using a cotton swab or a small bristle cleaner. Both of these cleaning tools can be found at most hardware stores. After it has been thoroughly cleaned, the component needs to be put back where it came from and reconnected. Remember to plug it back in; if you don’t, there will be a flood after the reservoir is completely full because you forgot to do so. It is possible to verify if the pump is functioning properly by adding a little amount of water to the reservoir. Reconnection
RECONNECTING
After the pump has been disinfected and reconnected, the filter on the air intake should be changed out. A little bit of care goes a long way, just like it is with any other item. Although pumps of this type are relatively inexpensive (about $40 per), it is imperative that they be kept clean and in good functioning order in order to ensure that they continue to function properly. A homeowner will want the pump to have as long of a lifespan as possible since, in the event that the unit fails, they will be required to turn off the heating and cooling system until the pump can be fixed or replaced.A word of caution: due to the fact that these pumps are powered by 120-volt electricity, it is essential to exercise extreme caution when working in the vicinity of them, to refrain from working on them while they are operating, and to ensure that they are plugged into a GFCI switch.
When performing maintenance on your property, you should always keep your own safety in mind and do so at your own risk. Even accounting for the expense of having a condensate pump installed, the time and effort saved by not having to do this activity is negligible in comparison to the disruption that would be caused by the failure of the pump.