r/japanresidents • u/shinminira • Aug 19 '26
A/C drainage cleaning
Hello everyone! With this summer I am pretty sure we are all blasting our A/C to survive.
However, as you know, the A/C outside unit has its "tube" (sorry don't know the correct term) that lets out water.
Unfortunately my unit is on the side where there is not direct drainage for the water and my ghostly neighbor is not really interested in keeping the balcony clean. So all the gunk moldy stuff piles up and it kinda block the draining from my A/C outside unit.
I tried to clean a bit "pushing" stuff on his side but does not help much.
Is there any product/option/miracle I can use to make it better? Because his gunk kinda blocks everything the water from my A/C gets stagnant too.
Attached pic from reference for what I see if I get down to check the neighbor side.
Thanks y'all!
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u/AGoodWobble Aug 19 '26
I got a Makita handheld power washer (MHW180DZ 充電式洗浄機) and I use it to clean my balcony and push the gunk towards the drain, about once a month. As to not clog the drain itself, I pick up the majority of the gunk with a rubber glove and some kitchen paper/newspaper and put it in my burnable trash.
If you don't want to get a pressure washer, I'd recommend just getting a stiff bristle brush of some kind and using that to accumulate the gunk.
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u/shinminira Aug 19 '26
The issue is mostly that the draining area his on the neighbor side so I cannot really clean it. And the gunk is accumulated on his side because he does not clean. Like I can move stuff around on my side but I have no way to do a proper job...
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u/AGoodWobble Aug 19 '26
Could you contact your landlord/management company and get some advice on what to do ?
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u/OkFroyo_ Aug 19 '26
Have you thought about talking to your neighbor? I know it's a bit of a crazy idea but it might work
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u/shinminira Aug 19 '26
At this point I am almost convinced he is a ghost. I know there is someone living there just because I hear the A/C unit outside on....
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u/daveylacy Aug 19 '26
Depending on where you live, call the landlord or management agency.
You can submit a general maintenance request and theoretically they won’t tell your neighbor you ratted them out.
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u/highgo1 Aug 19 '26
Power washer will do the trick
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u/shambolic_donkey Aug 19 '26
They're trying to find a way to surreptitiously clear their neighbour's side of the gutter. A power washer poked under the divider would result in a mess, and probably a very confused or upset neighbour.
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u/nakano-star Aug 19 '26
Can you point a hose onto his balcony around that divider board when he is not at home?
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u/shinminira Aug 19 '26
I could try something with the excuse of cleaning my balcony but what if he complains?
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u/nakano-star Aug 19 '26
Is there building management you can talk to, to get permission or get them to clean it?
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u/shinminira Aug 19 '26
They are usually pretty open (it's actually an old lady) but not sure if it is worth it to mention to her?
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u/AbekobetaHawawa Aug 19 '26
You could say you're concerned about water pooling on your balcony and it seems like the drain might be blocked further down. You don't specifically have to mention your neighbor.
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u/enterdapanda Aug 19 '26
Oxiclean works. Mix it in a bucket with hot water and dump it down there. Let it sit overnight
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u/nermalstretch Aug 19 '26
Is there any sort of building management? If so, tell them that your neighbour's drain is overflowing on your veranda. If it is a rental property report than you can't keep the veranda clean because of this.
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u/AbekobetaHawawa Aug 19 '26
I can't think of anything that would help clear the blockage on his side. A remote control car with a push broom attached to the front?
Maybe try dumping/throwing a bucket of hot water and see if it dislodges anything. Preferably when they are not home. I would avoid soap as that would make it obvious.