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Fact briefs: Unclogging your AC drain and record turtle nesting?

Art image says Face Brief, and a Suncoast Searchlight logo
Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

Floridians are preparing for a hot summer. Can pouring hot water down your AC drain line unclog it?

Yes.

As homeowners and renters prepare for the scorching Florida summer, pouring hot water down the AC drain line can help alleviate minor clogs. The drain line is a white PVC pipe on the AC handler, usually found in a closet or garage.

If the drain line is clogged, the AC may shut down or leak. First, turn off the AC unit. Locate the drain line and take off the cap. Slowly pour about a half a gallon of hot water (not boiling) down it and replace the cap. The water will dissolve buildup in the line.

Some experts recommend pouring a small amount of vinegar before the hot water, but others say it isn’t good for the system’s long-term health. Consult a professional before using this method.

You can also use a shop vacuum to clear clogs if you locate where your drain line leads to outside.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

— Clinton Engelberger

Did sea turtle nesting at Anna Maria Island set a 40-year record in 2024?

Yes.

The number of sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island was the highest in at least 40 years.

The final number of turtle nests laid in 2024 was 685, easily surpassing 543, the record set in 2019.

What the original claim may refer to is the day the mark was broken, July 2, 2024, when 546 nests were laid.

As of May 23, 42 nests have been laid in 2025. Typically, turtle nesting season lasts from May to October, so there is time for a new benchmark to be set.

Anna Maria Island is 8.5 miles long and is located south of Tampa Bay.

Laws have been established to protect turtles on the island, such as forbidding parking on turtle habitats, artificial lighting, and littering.

Five different turtle species swim and reside around the island, but the most common is the loggerhead.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

— Aaron Mammah

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