Thread: Condensate Pump Discharge

The pump is on the lower level. It is for air conditioning condensate only. The discharge point is into the vent in the attic space. The condensate is on the output side of the blower wheel. The conventional wisdom is that it shouldn't be directly connected to the sewer vent. My question is what is the down side? I'm trying to think of some scenario. It's not going to back up sewage to this point, or there is something crazy going on. Any air flow from the tube into the pump will escape out the top openings on the pump, as the blower is pushing air out of the pump. There is a trap on the condensate drain line. I guess they could add another trap where the drain line ties into the PVC.

So, before I tell my client that it's wrong, what is our worst case scenario?

Just testing with a reply to this post.

Originally Posted by Brian Hannigan

Just testing with a reply to this post.

Brian's post is probably better than mine, but here is what I was going to say;

#1. Why did they go to so much trouble to send water to the city system to be processed? If it is a/c condensate, send it to a favorite plant or tree at the exterior (last I checked you are not in a wetland state).

#2. Even though there are traps between the air handler and the sewer, why take the risk? Remember the Legionaries thing?

JMHO

Vern,
Have you ever looked inside one of those condensate pumps. They are disgusting.

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

Vern,
Have you ever looked inside one of those condensate pumps. They are disgusting.

Jim said the pump is on the lower level, probably can do away with the pump and gravity it to the exterior, besides I wasn't suggesting they drink it.

I see AC condensate drain lines from attic mounted air handlers regularly exhausting improperly. I've seen the same configuration Jim posted, I've seen a hole drilled in the soffit bay fascia board and the discharge line routed to the exterior roof gutter, I've seen the discharge line exhausting onto a roof surface. I simply tell the buyer the setup is wrong and document it calling for repairs.

I just saw the city inspector sign off on a similar installation. I see this type of discharge several times a year. It's not that different than having the discharge going to the in-floor drain.