Secondary drain setup - InspectionNews

Jeff Gainey · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 04:19 PM

Found this attic setup the other day that the seller was so impressed with. The primary drain is there. The secondary drain is there. The condensate pump is there. The only problem is there's no protection in case the condensate pump fails. And the fact the secondary is depending on the same system as the primary drain line. And the debris inside the pan will clog the drain line. Is there anything I am missing on this?
A different adventure everyday...Jeff G

John Arnold · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 04:28 PM

You may have sort of said this already, but there is no way to know that the secondary is draining (i.e., the primary is clogged), because they both go to the pump. The secondary is supposed to drain to a conspicuous location all by its lonesome to alert the occupants to a problem.

Jerry Peck · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Arnold

You may have sort of said this already, but there is no way to know that the secondary is draining (i.e., the primary is clogged), because they both go to the pump. The secondary is supposed to drain to a conspicuous location all by its lonesome to alert the occupants to a problem.

OR have a shut off switch.

Tim Moreira · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 10:47 PM

Two things I see, or don't see.

1. Where is the vent for the drain line?

2. Is the AHU sitting on the 2x8s in the pan. Should the AHU be supported by it's self and the pan independent of the AHU?

Jerry Peck · #5 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 07:06 AM

No one mentioned the running trap.

Running traps are not allowed (because they do not work, it's just a bump in the drain line which water flows right on past).

Mike Schulz · #6 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 02:55 PM

(Running traps are not allowed (because they do not work, it's just a bump in the drain line which water flows right on past).

But the pump box is a trap, isn't it? The boxes I check never drain completeley and the pipe is under the water in the box.

Jerry Peck · #7 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schulz

But the pump box is a trap, isn't it?

No, the condensate pump is not a trap in the primary condensate line. That line needs to be trapped *before* the condensate pump.

Mike Schulz · #8 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 04:05 PM

Dang It!
I worded that wrong. I need to check better before I go up against the "man"

What I meant was, wouldn't that pump "act" like a "trap". I have never seen one completly drain and the pipe is submersed.

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schulz

What I meant was, wouldn't that pump "act" like a "trap". I have never seen one completly drain and the pipe is submersed.

Most that I have seen ... no.

Because the ones (all, or at least *most*) have the condensate line sticking into the condensate pump just slightly, but never all the way to the bottom (never just a little off the bottom), meaning that the end of the condensate line is not (not always, as would be required for a trap) down in the water 2" (don't forget, a trap needs a 2" water seal) at all times.