I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an older home
I just purchased.)

The problem the home inspector pointed out was that it drains into the same
pipe that the clothes washer does.

Also, the other day the A/C was running, and water was dripping over the
furnace from the line. One joint was leaking, and also the line isn't
sloped enough to allow for proper drainage.

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I called a
plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an A/C guy. I'm
asking, because at least where I live, it seems like many A/C guys are one-
or two-person shops that are hard to get ahold of (and might not even have
an office).
(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain should
work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it out of the
house through a line going through the basement wall. While I can see that
the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when the
hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't just add
another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and have the
condensate drain go into that? I guess maybe that's not such a hot idea,
since maybe the stuff coming out of the water is under some pressure, but
the whole business of drilling a hole through the basement wall sounds like
a lot of work.

TIA,

S

"sinister" wrote in message

I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an older
home I just purchased.)


I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I called
a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an A/C guy.

IMO, neither as they are both skilled and expensive. This can be done by a
hanyman type of person. Or do it yourself.



(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it out
of the house through a line going through the basement wall.

Very often done that way. Since I can't see your setup I can't say that is
the best way.


While I can see that
the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when the
hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't just add
another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and have the
condensate drain go into that?

Should work.

On Jun 24, 5:59*am, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"sinister" wrote in message
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. *(This is in an older
home I just purchased.)

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? *I called
a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an A/C guy.

IMO, neither as they are both skilled and expensive. *This can be done by a
hanyman type of person. *Or do it yourself.

(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it out
of the house through a line going through the basement wall.

Very often done that way. *Since I can't see your setup I can't say that is
the best way.

*While I can see that

the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when the
hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't just add
another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and have the
condensate drain go into that?

Should work.

Except I'm not sure what code may say about piping it into the
sanitary sewer or septic system. For example, in many areas, code
won't allow you to put sump pump water into the sanitary sewer. Not
sure if there is any similar restriction on AC condensate. By far
most common is to just have it piped outside via some flexible
tubing. As Edwin pointed out, in most cases not hard at all to drill
a hole, but it does depend on what the construction is. If it's wood
frame construction, it's easy, if solid brick, then it's a different
story, but though harder can be done.

Home Depot and Lowes sell condensate sump pumbs for around $50. You use
flexible tube to route the condensate outstide. The sump is built into the
pump.





"sinister" wrote in message
...
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an older
home I just purchased.)

The problem the home inspector pointed out was that it drains into the
same pipe that the clothes washer does.

Also, the other day the A/C was running, and water was dripping over the
furnace from the line. One joint was leaking, and also the line isn't
sloped enough to allow for proper drainage.

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I called
a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an A/C guy.
I'm asking, because at least where I live, it seems like many A/C guys are
one- or two-person shops that are hard to get ahold of (and might not even
have an office).
(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it out
of the house through a line going through the basement wall. While I can
see that the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe
when the hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't
just add another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and
have the condensate drain go into that? I guess maybe that's not such a
hot idea, since maybe the stuff coming out of the water is under some
pressure, but the whole business of drilling a hole through the basement
wall sounds like a lot of work.

TIA,

S

sinister wrote:
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an
older home I just purchased.)

The problem the home inspector pointed out was that it drains into
the same pipe that the clothes washer does.

Also, the other day the A/C was running, and water was dripping over
the furnace from the line. One joint was leaking, and also the line
isn't sloped enough to allow for proper drainage.

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I
called a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an
A/C guy. I'm asking, because at least where I live, it seems like
many A/C guys are one- or two-person shops that are hard to get ahold
of (and might not even have an office).
(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it
out of the house through a line going through the basement wall. While I
can see that the current setup is dumb (condensate can't
really drip into pipe when the hose from the washer is in place), is
it true that someone can't just add another "branch" to the PVC pipe
the washer is draining into, and have the condensate drain go into
that? I guess maybe that's not such a hot idea, since maybe the
stuff coming out of the water is under some pressure, but the whole
business of drilling a hole through the basement wall sounds like a
lot of work.
TIA,

S

Try to see if you have a Handyman in your area. I would say that most of
them can do what ever you need. If you want to do yourself then call the
city inspector and ask them want you need to do. They will also come out to
your location to check the job to make sure it is up to code.

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

sinister wrote:
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an
older home I just purchased.)

The problem the home inspector pointed out was that it drains into
the same pipe that the clothes washer does.

Also, the other day the A/C was running, and water was dripping over
the furnace from the line. One joint was leaking, and also the line
isn't sloped enough to allow for proper drainage.

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I
called a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an
A/C guy. I'm asking, because at least where I live, it seems like
many A/C guys are one- or two-person shops that are hard to get ahold
of (and might not even have an office).

I'd vote for neither in preference to anyone whose hand fits a screwdriver.


(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it
out of the house through a line going through the basement wall. While I
can see that the current setup is dumb (condensate can't
really drip into pipe when the hose from the washer is in place), is
it true that someone can't just add another "branch" to the PVC pipe
the washer is draining into, and have the condensate drain go into
that? I guess maybe that's not such a hot idea, since maybe the
stuff coming out of the water is under some pressure, but the whole
business of drilling a hole through the basement wall sounds like a
lot of work.

Around here, the condensate drains into the closest sanitary sewer stack.
There's no "pressure" involved. I would think that A/C condensate can drain
into whatever is the most convenient. That includes a branch of the washer
drain or even outside.

Beware, however, there are usually TWO condensate drains: one for the
condensate itself and one for the pan under the evaporating unit. The latter
is the fail-safe for when the 1st drain gets clogged.

I had a wet area in the lawn where the A/C condensate drained. Using
PVC pipe, I directed the drain into the gutter down spout. I painted
the PVC pipe black. No more soggy ground.

On Jun 24, 10:53�am, Phisherman wrote:
I had a wet area in the lawn where the A/C condensate drained. �Using
PVC pipe, I directed the drain into the gutter down spout. �I painted
the PVC pipe black. �No more soggy ground.

around here the condensate drain pump picks up both heating and AC
watewr sends to sanitary sewer, in my old house the washing machine
drain. it passed 2 home inspections and review by the sewer company
who looked at it...

around here the condensate drain pump picks up both heating and AC
water sends to sanitary sewer, in my old house the washing machine
drain. it passed 2 home inspections and review by the sewer company who
looked at it...

Same where I live now.

HOWEVER, when I lived near Pittsburgh (Western PA) more than 10 years ago
this was a BIG DEAL; A/C condense SHALL NOT enter the sewer system back
then. There were specifications on how to dig and fill a "dry well"
outside the house. It had to be so deep, so wide, filled with rocks and
pebbles (sized specified) and covered with so much dirt and grass. And
the PVC pipe ran outside and down into the dry well.

Where you live does make a difference in such little things as that.

Phil

(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it out
of the house through a line going through the basement wall.

If the inside coil high enough the condensate can go to a drain with trap.
That "looks good" but the trap will almost certain dry out in the winter.

OTOH, if the condensate goes to the basement floor drain, it will help keep
that trap "wet".


While I can see that
the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when
the hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't just
add another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and
have the condensate drain go into that?

Since you should have a trap on any connection to the sewer, it makes more
sense to have the outlet of the condensate pump go to the SAME place was the
washer drain. The outlet tube from the condensate pump on the order of
1/2" (or slightly more) diameter. It can easily co-exist with the washer
drain. When the condensate pump kicks in, it will deliver about 1/2 gallon
of water in 30 seconds. The washing machine will deliver 10 to 20 gallons
in less than a minute. As long as the condensate outlet can "fit" it just
isn't a problem.



Should work.






** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 5:59 am, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"sinister" wrote in message
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an older
home I just purchased.)

I've got some questions:
(1) Is it true that this is work for an A/C guy, not a plumber? I called
a plumber, and he didn't want to do the work and said call an A/C guy.

IMO, neither as they are both skilled and expensive. This can be done by a
hanyman type of person. Or do it yourself.

(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it
out
of the house through a line going through the basement wall.

Very often done that way. Since I can't see your setup I can't say that is
the best way.

While I can see that

the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when
the
hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't just
add
another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into, and have
the
condensate drain go into that?

Should work.

Except I'm not sure what code may say about piping it into the
sanitary sewer or septic system. For example, in many areas, code
won't allow you to put sump pump water into the sanitary sewer. Not
sure if there is any similar restriction on AC condensate. By far
most common is to just have it piped outside via some flexible
tubing. As Edwin pointed out, in most cases not hard at all to drill
a hole, but it does depend on what the construction is. If it's wood
frame construction, it's easy, if solid brick, then it's a different
story, but though harder can be done.

House is brick. (Home inspector said it's "brick veneer" when I asked him
for more detailed description for online home insurance application forms.)

But this is in the basement. Another, thicker line for exhaust from the
clothes dryer goes out---through cinder blocks, it looks like.

"John Gilmer" wrote in message
...



(2) The plumber also said that the way the A/C condensate line/drain
should work is that it goes to the floor, and then some pump pumps it
out of the house through a line going through the basement wall.

If the inside coil high enough the condensate can go to a drain with trap.
That "looks good" but the trap will almost certain dry out in the winter.

OTOH, if the condensate goes to the basement floor drain, it will help
keep that trap "wet".


While I can see that
the current setup is dumb (condensate can't really drip into pipe when
the hose from the washer is in place), is it true that someone can't
just add another "branch" to the PVC pipe the washer is draining into,
and have the condensate drain go into that?

Since you should have a trap on any connection to the sewer, it makes more
sense to have the outlet of the condensate pump go to the SAME place was
the washer drain.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking---the washer drain pipe is already trapped.

The outlet tube from the condensate pump on the order of 1/2" (or slightly
more) diameter. It can easily co-exist with the washer drain. When
the condensate pump kicks in, it will deliver about 1/2 gallon of water in
30 seconds. The washing machine will deliver 10 to 20 gallons in less
than a minute. As long as the condensate outlet can "fit" it just isn't
a problem.

OK, thanks, that's good to know.




Should work.






** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

"HeyBub" wrote in message
m...
sinister wrote:
I need to get my A/C condensate drain/line fixed. (This is in an
older home I just purchased.)

snip

Beware, however, there are usually TWO condensate drains: one for the
condensate itself and one for the pan under the evaporating unit. The
latter is the fail-safe for when the 1st drain gets clogged.

Huh. The condensation drain--the visible part---starts as a couple-inch
long piece of pipe projecting horizontally out of the AC unit (which itself
is on top of the furnace). But very close nearby there _is_ a second,
similar projection, but that's capped off.

"Phil Again" wrote in message
m...


around here the condensate drain pump picks up both heating and AC
water sends to sanitary sewer, in my old house the washing machine
drain. it passed 2 home inspections and review by the sewer company who
looked at it...

Same where I live now.

HOWEVER, when I lived near Pittsburgh (Western PA) more than 10 years ago
this was a BIG DEAL; A/C condense SHALL NOT enter the sewer system back
then. There were specifications on how to dig and fill a "dry well"
outside the house. It had to be so deep, so wide, filled with rocks and
pebbles (sized specified) and covered with so much dirt and grass. And
the PVC pipe ran outside and down into the dry well.

Where you live does make a difference in such little things as that.

After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff on the
web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality (Montgomery County,
MD). Turns out you're not allowed to discharge AC condensate into the
sanitary sewer system.



Phil

sinister wrote:
"Phil Again" wrote in message
m...


around here the condensate drain pump picks up both heating and AC
water sends to sanitary sewer, in my old house the washing machine
drain. it passed 2 home inspections and review by the sewer company
who looked at it...

Same where I live now.

HOWEVER, when I lived near Pittsburgh (Western PA) more than 10
years ago this was a BIG DEAL; A/C condense SHALL NOT enter the
sewer system back then. There were specifications on how to dig and
fill a "dry well" outside the house. It had to be so deep, so wide,
filled with rocks and pebbles (sized specified) and covered with so
much dirt and grass. And the PVC pipe ran outside and down into the
dry well. Where you live does make a difference in such little things as
that.

After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff
on the web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality
(Montgomery County, MD). Turns out you're not allowed to discharge
AC condensate into the sanitary sewer system.



Phil

It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck sewer
gases into your home.

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

Moe Jones wrote:

After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff
on the web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality
(Montgomery County, MD). Turns out you're not allowed to discharge
AC condensate into the sanitary sewer system.



Phil

It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck
sewer gases into your home.

Which can be handled by a p-trap on the condensate drain. Like on mine.

HeyBub wrote:
Moe Jones wrote:
After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff
on the web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality
(Montgomery County, MD). Turns out you're not allowed to discharge
AC condensate into the sanitary sewer system.


Phil
It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck
sewer gases into your home.

Which can be handled by a p-trap on the condensate drain. Like on mine.

Yep.

I think the proscription is simply to keep water not needing treatment
out of municipal sewage systems to hold down the volume needing
treatment. Not a major amount in comparison to other sources, but it
would add up if everybody did so...

--

HeyBub wrote:
....
Everybody in a subdivision has to connect to the STORM SEWER? Or dump to the
street?
....

No, keep it on lot...

--

dpb wrote:
Which can be handled by a p-trap on the condensate drain. Like on
mine.

Yep.

I think the proscription is simply to keep water not needing treatment
out of municipal sewage systems to hold down the volume needing
treatment. Not a major amount in comparison to other sources, but it
would add up if everybody did so...

But, but, but, the alternative!

Everybody in a subdivision has to connect to the STORM SEWER? Or dump to the
street?

Think of the plumbing costs.

No, since now everyone is using the low-flow toilets, there should be enough
unused, extra capacity at the waste water treatment plants to handle a quart
of (very pure) water per house per day.

Heck, the city might even have to use less chemicals and stuff.

Moe Jones wrote:

"Phil Again" wrote:
After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff
on the web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality
(Montgomery County, MD). Turns out you're not allowed to discharge
AC condensate into the sanitary sewer system.

It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck sewer
gases into your home.

That doesn't apply if the condensate drips into free air space before
trickling into the sewer drain. In fact, it can help ensure that a
seldom used drain trap doesn't run dry.

I know of an instance in an office building where a return air plenum
access panel was inadvertently left open, creating negative air pressure
in a fan room where the floor drain trap was dry. The result was sewer
gas being distributed throughout the building. Phew! That might not
have happened if condensate was going down that drain (and if the HVAC
tech was more conscientious).

On Jun 26, 5:03*pm, dpb wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Moe Jones wrote:
After a couple people made similar comments, and seeing similar stuff
on the web, I managed to find the piece of code for my locality
(Montgomery County, MD). *Turns out you're not allowed to discharge
AC condensate into the sanitary sewer system.

Phil
It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck
sewer gases into your home.

Which can be handled by a p-trap on the condensate drain. Like on mine.

Yep.

I think the proscription is simply to keep water not needing treatment
out of municipal sewage systems to hold down the volume needing
treatment. *Not a major amount in comparison to other sources, but it
would add up if everybody did so...

--

No, I don't think that's the reason. This is a technical definition
problem, at least in the jurdisdictions where I've worked.

Condensate from any source is "non contact process water" and process
water is not allowed into a sanitary sewer (or storm sewer, for that
matter) without going through an industrial pretreatment first.

I don't think you're going to get around that with the building
inspector, though you and he both know it's kind of silly in this
case.

HeyBub wrote:
Moe Jones wrote:



It is not allowed because if the drain goes dry then you could suck
sewer gases into your home.

Which can be handled by a p-trap on the condensate drain. Like on
mine.

Your right but what happens during the winter? The P-trap dries out and now
you can suck in sewer gases. Some times you can get away with running your
condensate line into a vent pipe when you have a small pressure valve that
keeps your P-trap full of water.
--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

TimR wrote:

I think the proscription is simply to keep water not needing
treatment out of municipal sewage systems to hold down the volume
needing treatment. Not a major amount in comparison to other
sources, but it would add up if everybody did so...

--

No, I don't think that's the reason. This is a technical definition
problem, at least in the jurdisdictions where I've worked.

Condensate from any source is "non contact process water" and process
water is not allowed into a sanitary sewer (or storm sewer, for that
matter) without going through an industrial pretreatment first.

I don't think you're going to get around that with the building
inspector, though you and he both know it's kind of silly in this
case.

Isn't that backwards? What understandable references I find to "non contact
process water" (as in condensate from cooling towers) imply that it is
essentially pure water and should be protected from contaminants, not the
reverse.

HeyBub wrote:
TimR wrote:
I think the proscription is simply to keep water not needing
treatment out of municipal sewage systems to hold down the volume
needing treatment. Not a major amount in comparison to other
sources, but it would add up if everybody did so...

--
No, I don't think that's the reason. This is a technical definition
problem, at least in the jurdisdictions where I've worked.

Condensate from any source is "non contact process water" and process
water is not allowed into a sanitary sewer (or storm sewer, for that
matter) without going through an industrial pretreatment first.

I don't think you're going to get around that with the building
inspector, though you and he both know it's kind of silly in this
case.

Isn't that backwards? What understandable references I find to "non contact
process water" (as in condensate from cooling towers) imply that it is
essentially pure water and should be protected from contaminants, not the
reverse.

And at least in jurisdictions I've been there's a very definite
difference in code application in residential vis a vis
commercial/manufacturing environment.

--