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  1. #1
    Ryan Stouffer's Avatar
    Ryan Stouffer Guest

    Default Condensate Drain Line

    Is it permissible to allow the condensate drain line to drain onto the crawlspace floor. The floor is gravel.

    Thanks,

    Ryan

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  2. #2
    Ryan Stouffer's Avatar
    Ryan Stouffer Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    New post


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
    Posts
    4,311

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan Stouffer View Post
    Is it permissible to allow the condensate drain line to drain onto the crawlspace floor. The floor is gravel.

    Thanks,

    Ryan
    .
    No.
    .

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
    Posts
    1,367

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Agreed, it's wrong.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    so so, California
    Posts
    1,867

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    I think the code requires it to drain into potted plant, not to be confused with "pot plant" however.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    745

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    M1411.3 Condensate disposal.
    Condensate from all cooling
    coils or evaporators shall be conveyed from the drain pan outlet
    to an approved place of disposal. Condensate shall not discharge
    into a street, alley or other areas where it would cause a
    nuisance.

    Would this create a nuisance?




  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Holladay, UT
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Ryan, I am an inspector in Utah also. I see 95% of condensate drains insalled wrong. Mostly no trap in line. The reason being is that the furnace and A/C are covered by mechanical code and drains are in plumbing code.

    Tom Rees / A Closer Look Home Inspection / Salt Lake City, Utah
    http://acloserlookslc.com/

  8. #8
    Charles Sanders's Avatar
    Charles Sanders Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Out here in California, condensate lines drain into the sewerand must have a gap for clean out. Seems a lot of nasty stuff likes to grow in condensate.

    csanders
    San Diego


  9. #9
    Debra Monte's Avatar
    Debra Monte Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    From the photo, it does appear that the condensate is draining directly into the gravel. However, did you check to see if there is a proper drain that is below the gravel. Obviously there is no lift pump. Did you ask about what is below the gravel?


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    One problem with draining it under the home is the possibility of water collecting in the crawlspace.

    I would say that it is wrong simply because you don't water in your crawlspace. It also lacks a trap on the line.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  11. #11
    Jeffrey L. Mathis's Avatar
    Jeffrey L. Mathis Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Re: draining to the sewer.
    Most utilities frown on that. They are generally running at maximum all the time and any extra effluent is not welcome. it's actually illegal in my area.
    Plus they tell me it is more acidic than normal.

    JLMathis


  12. #12
    Brian Johnson's Avatar
    Brian Johnson Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    I have another question to add. Why does the drain line need a trap if the piping is not draining to the sewer and it is draining to the outside gutter or something else? Serious question - so don't jump all over me.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Holladay, UT
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    Brian, It has to do with negative pressure back into evaporator coils and several other problems that are created with no trap present. There was an excellent PDF file posted not long ago on this. Do a search of this site.

    Tom Rees / A Closer Look Home Inspection / Salt Lake City, Utah
    http://acloserlookslc.com/

  14. #14
    Leigh Goodman's Avatar
    Leigh Goodman Guest

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    I believe a certain amount of conditioned air is lost through the drain line to outside resulting in higher cooling costs for less effective cooling performance.
    Trap it for comfort and economy.
    But I could be wrong.


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    This is something I stole and polished a little to fit my reports.

    Probably the most misunderstood portion of a condensate drain system is trap installation. The primary purpose of a condensate trap is to prevent air from moving in or out of the coil box or air handler during operation. Traps must be installed in a manner that will stop the air from passing through, but still allow the condensate to drain from the condensate pan. Without a trap, this doesn’t happen. Air that is lost through the condensate drain in systems with the coil on the pressure side of the fan is primarily an efficiency issue. Traps on the negative-pressure side of the fan prevent contaminated air from the attic or other spaces from being drawn into the house. Failure to install a trap can be likened to drilling a hole in the ducts for each drain connection.





    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Holladay, UT
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Condensate Drain Line

    This is an axcellent description of trap design and function.

    Attached Files Attached Files
    Tom Rees / A Closer Look Home Inspection / Salt Lake City, Utah
    http://acloserlookslc.com/

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