Any HVAC guys? Is this condensate line correct?
BG57Builder
| Posted in General Questions on
Have had the house for three years no issues but am starting tho think this condensate drain line isn’t correct.
Isn’t there supposed to be a trap? Possibly another one for the shorter one?
I don’t like how it is currently just draining under the concrete so I’m installing a condensate pump so wondering if it is even setup properly.
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Replies
What is it connected to below the slab? If it is just draining to the gravel below your slab, that is not the correct way to drain condensate.
Traps in air handling units are to keep your air handler from sucking in any unconditioned or unfiltered air. If the AHU is contained within the envelope that it serves it probably doesn't really matter much since the air in that space is already conditioned and filtered. In the scenario in the photo, if the pipe just ends down in the gravel, that could be bad for several reasons. 1. You'll be draining condensate below the slab and it could cause erosion or water to end up where it is not supposed to be. 2. You could inadvertently be sucking up radon gas into your hvac system by depressurizing the area beneath the slab.
A condensate pump and a drain to the exterior of your house above grade preferably with a splash block or an indirect drain with an air gap to your sewer system, possibly at your washing machine wall box, service sink, or floor drain is the way to go in this scenario.
Good luck.
Could I drain into the sump pit or is that not a good idea?
Is this a sump pit for your foundation drains? I would avoid that. It will just end up below the slab like this if you drain to a foundation drain sump pit. Although if there is nowhere else that is an option.
Sorry how would it end up below the slab if drained into an operating sump pit?
And if I do drain to the sump pit would I need a neutralizer to avoid wear on the sump pump itself? The pit is lined so not worried about the pit itself.
Thinking about just getting a condensate pump with a neutralizer built in - possibly this one
https://www.supplystop.com/products/condensate-neutralizer-pump-neutrapump-full-kit-1-9gal-hr?variant=32813344129078&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=pmax_new-customers_all-categories_groupB_zombies&utm_term=&utm_campaign=pmax_new-customers_all-categories_groupB_zombiesB&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=1443296460&hsa_cam=21896005432&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21892173266&gbraid=0AAAAACORX-PhZvm_LjYSh-HqDM4oSUfTm&gclid=CjwKCAjw8IfABhBXEiwAxRHlsPpnFu_LxOMWCtEa5jnRnftABSYtQgt7aogmthoBdBcKodLu-Sa91BoCEFkQAvD_BwE
What is the sump pit for? The foundation drainage, basement flood protection, basement plumbing? Does it run often?
The condensate pump for your hvac is essentially a small version of your sump pit/pump. So you'd be pump from one pump to another pump. It would probably work but it may or may not. If this is for foundation drainage, does your foundation drainage have backwater valves? What level is the float switch set to on your sump pump? If the float switch is set to turn on your sump pump before the water level reaches the inlets from the foundation drainage then it would likely kick on before any water drained out into your foundation drainage pipe (if this is for foundation drainage).
If the water is corrosive it will likely cause more corrosion on your sump pump since the pump will likely be immersed in the water somewhat continuously.
There should be a trap on the coil condensate but since it is on the supply side of the blower, it's under positive pressure and will therefore drain. The bigger issue is as mentioned, with no trap, radon could enter through that open pipe on an off cycle and you are pressurizing under the slab, albiet a small amount. You are missing an acid neutralizer on the furnace condensate- the combustion condensate is acidic. Draining into a slab is not a good way to go. Install a condensate neutalizer on furnace drain, condensate pump, and pump it to a WARM location (W/M standpipe, utility sink, etc) if you are in a cold climate. Pumping outside is hit or miss in a cold climate.
Could I drain to sump pit? All pipes are pvc
Note the water that drains from the furnace in the winter is acidic enough that it will eat holes in copper pipes, dissolve limestone and concrete.
It is best to neutralize it and drain it with the rest of your waste water thru an air gap.
The HVAC install instructions will show you the required traps that seem to be missing.
A secondary drain to a location you will likely to notice the water is great idea.
I like to run a bare copper wire in the drain pipe it keeps the slime from growing and prevents clogs.
Walta