Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Anything wrong with connecting the A/C condensate drain directly to the waste piping as seen in the attached photos?

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Last edited by Bruce Breedlove; 10-14-2009 at 06:15 PM.
    Inspection Referral
    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    delete

    Last edited by Bruce Breedlove; 10-14-2009 at 06:17 PM. Reason: corrected photo mistake in original post
    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Yep, it must be an indirect connection. You don't want the nasties from the sewer from the sewer to migrate to the air stream.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Jim,

    Wouldn't the trap stop the sewer gasses from flowing up the pipe?

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    It's not just gases, think bacteria and legionnaire's disease.
    Plus that trap is not vented, is a running trap, and will likely dry out during the off season.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    OK, thanks. Time to send out a revised report.

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove View Post
    Wouldn't the trap stop the sewer gasses from flowing up the pipe?
    Bruce,

    That trap is not stopping anything.

    That is a site built "running trap" and running traps are prohibited. Also looks like it might be longer than 4 feet and PVC is required to be supported every 4 feet. Plus, you would want a support at that 90 change from vertical to horizontal to 90 degreed horizontal, otherwise the fittings could break.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
    Brad Deal's Avatar
    Brad Deal Guest

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Bruce,

    This is called a "cross connection." If the sewer line backs up, sewer water will be forced into the condensate drain and into the condensate pan. Black water is now in direct contact with the air we breath, vented throughout the living space. This is akin to an overflowed toilet inside the HVAC system.

    This is a health safety hazard.

    Brad Deal


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: A/C Condensate Drain Connected To Waste Piping

    Message received and understood. Client has been sent a revised report.

    Thanks for the assistance and education.

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •