Condensate trap too big?

[Jon mackay]

This condensate trap for an A/C connection seemed a bit too large but I wasn't sure if it was actually wrong.

Is there a limit to the size?

[Rick Hurst]

Jon,

Ever try and push water uphill?

Yes, its wrong.

rick

[Billy Stephens]

.
actually wrong.
.

.
On So Many Levels.
.

[Mike Gault]

And leaking, it appears...

[Michael Thomas]

See attached:

[David Bell]

Very wrong, but probably works as the coil is probably about 4.5' off the ground.

[Corn Walker]

Ever try and push water uphill?

The Romans did it centuries ago. But unless that's intended to be an aqueduct yes, it's wrong.

[Markus Keller]

Ummm, size would appear to be the least of the problems. That's really a beautiful set-up. So do those pipes go down into a crawl? Looks like a great rodent highway.

[Trent Tarter]

It's all wrong, what it needs is a condensation pump with a drain line that is routed overhead and into the PVC drain pipe.

[Rich Goeken]

It's all wrong, what it needs is a condensation pump with a drain line that is routed overhead and into the PVC drain pipe.


I tend to disagree with this "quick Fix". My experience with condensation pumps is that it's another point of failure. They tend to quit a lot, and its usually an item that may be looked at one a year if you are lucky. This should be a last resort if a good condensation gravity system can't be installed.

[Jane Slaughter]

Besides the length of the drain 'trap"; Isn't a condensate trap supposed to have an air gap(?) and not be directly connected to the sanitary sewer?

[jason schatz]

Besides the length of the drain 'trap"; Isn't a condensate trap supposed to have an air gap(?) and not be directly connected to the sanitary sewer?

was thinking the same thing --- until I saw what looks like a cleanout is actually an AAV...

[Corn Walker]

was thinking the same thing --- until I saw what looks like a cleanout is actually an AAV...

an AAV is not an air gap, it does nothing for backflow prevention

[jason schatz]

you're right, my fault...

[Vern Heiler]

Besides the length of the drain 'trap"; Isn't a condensate trap supposed to have an air gap(?) and not be directly connected to the sanitary sewer?

Does condensate water qualify as cross connection to portable water?

[Corn Walker]

Does condensate water qualify as cross connection to portable water?

Potable water contamination is one but not the only reason to have a backflow/backpressure preventer.

[jason schatz]

seeing as there is no potable water connection at the heater, I'd say that'd be a no....

But sewage backflow...even if it were just gases...wouldn't be a nice scene in the air flow of the unit.

[David Bell]

The requirement for condensate is much the same as effluent, trapped at the closest place and subject to venting requirements.

[Wayne Carlisle]

Where is the specification that the horizontal piece of a trap cannot be 6"...12" or even 96" on a condensate line.

I looked at the links provided and all that was specified was height requirements. Nothing about from one vertical to the other.

Please educate me.

[David Bell]

The condensate piping by itself is only subject to condensate guidlines. But once you connect that to a homes DWV system, it must adhere to all codes and regulations that all piping in that system conforms to.

[Wayne Carlisle]

Okay....so you are saying what?

[David Bell]

Okay....so you are saying what?

The trap lengths and heights are subject to plumbing codes

[Michael Thomas]

WRT the necessity of traps on the suction side of air handlers, this may be of interest:

Condensation in ceiling - Contractor Talk HVAC forum (http://www.contractortalk.com/f6/condensation-ceiling-101150/)