As the weather continues to heat up, AC units all over the country are beginning to run a little harder. When this happens, your air conditioner begins producing excess condensate (or water), which has to exit out your drain line.
Some homeowners might start to notice their EZ trap is filled with water. Here is everything you need to know if that situation occurs.
What is an EZ Trap?
An EZ Trap is a simple U-shaped piping device that protects your heat pump, furnace cooling system, and AC unit from overflow. As your air conditioning runs, condensate runs through your EZ trap and then goes through the drains to exit the home.
In most cases, your EZ Trap and drainage system work in sync to drain all the extra condensate from your unit, and nothing goes wrong. Sometimes, however, a clog could occur somewhere in the drainage line and some problems could occur.
Should There Be Water In The EZ Trap?
The answer to this is “yes” and “no.” If your EZ trap filled with water, then you might have a problem.
While your EZ Trap should have some water in it occasionally (it’s there to help drain extra condensate, after all), a clog in your drainage system could lead to a backup or overflow of water. This can cause water to pool up inside your EZ Trap which isn’t something you want to see if you would like your HVAC unit to last a good, long time.
Water pooling up in your EZ Trap can lead to a huge overflow and leakage. The damages occurring from this could include water damage such as mold and mildew, a broken HVAC unit, and a wide array of other issues no homeowner wants to face.
Why Do EZ Traps Get Filled with Water?
EZ Traps are part of your HVAC’s drainage system, so they are designed to drain water, so if you see water inside your EZ Trap, rest assured it’s normal. If you notice that your EZ Trap is filled with water, or even overflowing, then you have a problem that is likely tied to a clog somewhere in your drainage system.
Should this situation ever occur, it’s important to turn off the power to your HVAC system so you can investigate the clog and potentially clear the issue away.
How To Clean an EZ Trap
Step 1: Make Sure Your Unit is Off
Before ever attempting to clean your EZ Trap, you must turn the power off to your system. This not only helps to protect you from injuring yourself but also helps protect your unit from unnecessary damages. Once you’ve turned the power off, do yourself a favor and check again, then once you’re sure, you can begin your EZ trap cleaning.
Step 2: Remove the EZ Trap’s Float Switch and Cap
This is the switch keeping the EZ Trap closed, as well as the cap. Remove them so you can access the inside of the EZ Trap. Be sure to have a cup, bowl, or pot ready, something to catch water or a clog when removing the cap.
Step 3: Insert the Brush All the Way
Remove the brush from the EZ Trap holder and insert it where the cap was, all the way in until you can’t push it anymore. Then remove it and push the brush all the way through the EZ Trap, pulling it through on the other end for thorough EZ trap cleaning. Once you’ve done this, return your brush to its holder.
Step 4: Replace the Cap and Float Switch
Screw the cap back on its place, and then reinsert the Float Switch. Be sure to press down gently on the center of the Float Switch to ensure the float is down.
Step 5: Return Power
Once you’ve completed all these steps and have ensured both the cap and float switch are appropriately inserted, you can turn the power back on to your unit.
How to Keep an EZ Trap from Overflowing
Most EZ Traps available today include some type of float, which, when installed correctly, helps prevent overflow. When there is a clog and water begins backing up into the EZ Trap, the float rises. If your float switch is installed and wired correctly, the rising float will trigger the power to shut off in your unit.
When this happens, you might notice that either your heating or cooling system isn’t running, which will certainly be inconvenient but far less inconvenient than overflowing water.
An Easy Solution to Your EZ Trap Clog
If your float switch is improperly installed, you may see a huge mess when you go to check your HVAC unit. Additionally, sometimes the EZ Trap brush doesn’t get the job done when it comes to some kinds of clogs.
While you can clean your EZ Trap again, don’t attempt to resolve any kind of larger issue on your own. Make sure to call in a licensed, professional HVAC technician to check your wiring and give your EZ trap a cleaning. If your EZ Trap is filled with water or giving you other issues, call (703) 214-5611 or contact the John C. Flood certified HVAC technicians online now.
