Louisiana Homeowners Need to Do This Before Summer Heat Waves Arrive

(KTDY) - Many of us are anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer, the kids will be out of school, and soon some willl be taking vacations.

However, with summer comes some very hot days, and before you know it, your central unit will be running nonstop. Yes, we are transitioning from the heat to the air conditioner as the seasons change, but have you done some simple maintenance on your unit that could save you a headache and money?

A few months ago, we had an issue with an AC unit in our attic, and I didn't know until water stains appeared on the ceiling in one of the bedrooms. Yes, you guessed it, a drain was clogged on the unit, and the water in the pan overflowed onto the ceiling below.

For those asking why the "floaring switch" didn't shut the unit off, my AC repair person told me it wasn't installed correctly, so the switch that should have shut the unit off didn't. That's another story.

While we were in the attic addressing the issue with my unit, the repair person asked if I regularly do something very simple to prevent the AC drain lines from clogging. I told him I do not, and that was the issue.

He told me that the drains can clog very easily as algae and other nasty things build up in them over time, and one way to prevent the build-up is by pouring a few things down the drain every 30 days.

My AC repairman told me to pour Clorox or white vinegar down the drain once a month to prevent buildup that can clog the drains. As for how much you should pour down the drain, it is suggested that you pour 1/4 cup down the drain, then wait 30 minutes before adding warm water.

I should note here that when you are maintaining the drain lines on your unit, you need to turn off the unit's thermostat in your home so it does not kick on while you are adding Clorox or Vinegar to the drain line.

By doing this simple maintenance on your AC unit, you willl keep your unit running efficiently during the summer months when it's 90-100 degrees, and this will also prevent water damage in your attic or home.

I hope that this quick reminder helps, and remember it is also wise to have a professional maintain your unit(s) before the summer. A quick evaluation of your unit could save you a lot of money down the road and keep you cool as temperatures rise as summer approaches.