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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Plano, Texas
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    4,245

    Default Good intentions but...

    I came across this yesterday. Looks like a home owner special or from a tech that had a "better idea" that he should have forgot.
    There are two drain lines each with its own shallow running trap and no vent. One drain goes to the standard location and an additional one goes over to the sewer vent. And this was on a heat pump with the coil under negative pressure.

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    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Charlotte NC
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    2,304

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    I didn't know the secondary drain was really the bleach injector port.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    All with a running trap, which is not allowed anyway.

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

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

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    All with a running trap, which is not allowed anyway.
    There are two drain lines each with its own shallow running trap and no vent
    Not just one running trap, but two! Of course only one is in the picture.
    I basically said to have someone tear it out and do it right from scratch. I don't think I could begin to describe how to "correct" all that was wrong with the setup.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  5. #5
    Mitchell Toelle's Avatar
    Mitchell Toelle Guest

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    I came across this yesterday. Looks like a home owner special or from a tech that had a "better idea" that he should have forgot.
    There are two drain lines each with its own shallow running trap and no vent. One drain goes to the standard location and an additional one goes over to the sewer vent. And this was on a heat pump with the coil under negative pressure.
    If you look carefully, the riser that is labeled "bleach" appears to be lower than the other condensate exit. Therefore, it is probably the primary, not the secondary. Nor should it be a bleach receiver.

    As you said, "can't begin to describe all that is wrong" and tear out, starting from scratch. But, plumb the primary as the "primary" and not as a bleach receptacle...and the secondary in a proper manner...


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
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    4,245

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    I think the elevation of the primary and secondary is somewhat of an optical illusion but none the less, tear it all out and start over is the best bet. The installer went to lot of thought and trouble to come up with this, too bad they were a few french fries short of a happy meal.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  7. #7
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    All with a running trap, which is not allowed anyway.
    JP: Can you elaborate or hold forth a bit on running traps and why they are not allowed?


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    Quote Originally Posted by A.D. Miller View Post
    JP: Can you elaborate or hold forth a bit on running traps and why they are not allowed?

    Running traps are traps which have the inlet and outlet at the same elevation in relation to the trap, and, because they are "running" traps they have a tendency to self-siphon out from the flow through them.

    They are not allowed because the manufacturers specifically state not to use them - it is in the installation instructions, plus they are not proper traps anyway.

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

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cincinnati area
    Posts
    34

    Default Re: Good intentions but...

    Take a more intense look at the picture--heavy water stains in the pan below the unit, apparent repair to the lower corner of the unit possibly due to corrosion, directions to pour bleach into the unit's condensate pan. This unit has had significant condensate pan overflows in the past. The unit has apparently seen a lot of debris in the air stream or the drainage system is not functioning correctly. You said the coil plenum is under negative pressure. In that case, I suspect that air may be pulled through the condensate line, not allowing the unit to drain properly, particularly since the traps are running traps.


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