For a year or so I've been struggling with an aircon unit in a room. It would always start dripping inside the room.

Wifey called the technician who came like 3 times and cleaned it, and the problem would always come back after a few weeks. After the 4th or 5th time he said the installation was not correct and he needed to rise the unit a few centimeters. We did it and of course after 2-3 weeks I got the drips again.

I decided to try some cheap Lazada tool that is some type of air pump with a nozzle that fits in the water pipe. Went outside, stuck the nozzle in and pumped (with some anger) that damn pipe. A ton of water came out, my son inside yelled too due to the huge amoung of water that came out.

Immediately I saw that the unit got cooler. It's been well over a month and zero dripping.

Why a 200b plastic tool that requires zero disassembly can fix the problem in like 2 minutes? What was the technician doing?

Often the angle of the pipe is not sufficient AND there can be significant algae growth which will come back again and again over time.

A good cleaning will get rid of it - but it's the cleaning of the pipe. I keep the pipes as short as possible, I've found this in longer pipes that drain away from the house into a drain or something or trail along a floor if it's a floor mounted unit as many of them are.....

Maybe it was worth trying a different company with perhaps better knowledge

They're all useless.

We have an AC system that is piped through a suspended ceiling, which is the case in most modern condominiums. The piping to the exterior is never touched or cleaned. I am constantly telling them 'how do you clean all that pipework?', and they look at me like i just told them to build a nuclear atomic weapons.

It's constantly getting clogged up with dust.

No idea at all.

Only a couple things they need to get right beside the basics.

1. Install interior air handler down enough from ceiling for proper air flow

2. Flaring and checking the main refrigerant line connection on inside and outside units for leaks.

3. Confirming pitch and angle down when they drill through the wall for the line set that has drain line.

4. Pull a good vacuum. I think 15 minutes is recommended.

5. Check that pressure holds after adding the refrigerant.

You are correct about the mixed bag of installers as one I bought from a retailer starting with Num had to come three times and refill refrigerant on a new install. I called a well regarded pro found in the forum and the main flare wasn't done properly on the interior refrigerant connection. Over three years runs perfect.

Out here when the R410 unit needs refrigerant they just fill it with R32, cross out R410 and write R32. Then compressor runs louder. Tell landlord high probability of compressor, component, valve failures and they don't care.

You can periodically add a chemical to the drain pan inside the AC unit to kill the algae and you won't have the buildup of water that isn't draining.

18 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

They're all useless.

We have an AC system that is piped through a suspended ceiling, which is the case in most modern condominiums. The piping to the exterior is never touched or cleaned. I am constantly telling them 'how do you clean all that pipework?', and they look at me like i just told them to build a nuclear atomic weapons.

It's constantly getting clogged up with dust.

No idea at all.

So, how do you clean that pipework?

19 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

They're all useless.

We have an AC system that is piped through a suspended ceiling, which is the case in most modern condominiums. The piping to the exterior is never touched or cleaned. I am constantly telling them 'how do you clean all that pipework?', and they look at me like i just told them to build a nuclear atomic weapons.

It's constantly getting clogged up with dust.

No idea at all.

That's what I'm thinking. If I'm able to do this without knowledge and a super cheap tool, how come my solution is faster and lasts longer than whatever they're doing?

I was assuming they would properly clean that pipe every time, but apparently not (!)

On 9/8/2026 at 11:43 PM, FarangFB said:

I decided to try some cheap Lazada tool that is some type of air pump with a nozzle that fits in the water pipe

my son inside yelled too due to the huge amoung of water that came out.

Immediately I saw that the unit got cooler. It's been well over a month and zero dripping.

If you were Russian, you could advertise your services and make a good income. 😂 🛠️

Can you post a photo of your cheap Lazada tool

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by SAFETY FIRST