Condensate pump drain...

[Mr T]

I am fixing the problem caused by the highly intelligent installers of the furnace in this house. (well before I moved in, otherwise I'd still be in prison sniper_1 )

For the AC and condensate drains, they just drilled a hole in the floor and stuck the hose in it. The condensate hose ended up dripping right onto the galvanized trunk line. I have repaired the resulting hole in the trunk line.

I am planning on installing a condensate pump. What are my options for the output of this pump other then running the line out of the crawlspace? Can I branch off a existing drain line with a trap and air gap in the crawlspace?

[mdshunk]

Can I branch off a existing drain line with a trap and air gap in the crawlspace?
No, you're not really permitted to do that. It is most normal for the hose from the condensate pump to follow the route of the refrigerant lineset to the outdoors and dump on the ground next to the condensing unit. Many condensing units have a hole in the sheet metal in the area of the refrigerant line connections in which to "park" the end of the hose. If the air handler was in the attic, it most normal for the condensate to discharge into the rain gutter.

[Mr T]

This is gonna be fun. When I moved in, I attacked that 3" hole that they left from installation with expando-foam...the hard stuff. I'll see if I can poke a hole through it.

It will be about a 30 foot run. The furnace is on the first (only) floor. Crawlspace height there is 4 foot, and the crawlspace is a foot below ground level.

[mdshunk]

I was just saying what is most normal. You can take the condensate pump discharge outdoors anywhere that suits you. If there's an easier place to make a new hole, or another existing place that hasn't been filled up yet, that would be okay too. Is there a sump hole in the crawl? That would be okay to use, but you might not want to add any extra moisture load down there.

[Mr T]

It probably should have one being below ground level in former swampland. I found the main problem of moisture down there. THere is a brick (flat concrete blocks) porch that was added to the back of the house that I am removing. The porch had a slight inward slope, and was higher then the crawlspace vent they partially covered over.

Last fall I removed a good portion of the porch. We survived some of the heaviest rains in 100 years this past Feb, crawlspace only got damp. Ive had 3-6" of water in it before with just modorate rain. I think the dampness has been there for a while too. Ive beein fighting it ever since we moved in.

The house was built with electric baseboard heat. In the 70's a crawlspace mounted furnace was added. I tracked down a previous owner (out in PHoenix) who told me that he blew up that furnace because he forgot that it was partially submerged under water for a while the previous summer. He lit the pilot light and *poof* I bet this porch was the ultimate cause of this.

I have no other openings, Cutting through expando-foam will be cheaper (probably not easier) then going up to the hardware store to rent thier monster hammer drill or power hammer. I prefer not to blow any more holes in the foundation then I need to.

Just curious.. what is the reason for not allowing the trap? freezing? Mice trying to crawl into it and getting stuck?

[mdshunk]

That trap and the associated air gap would be lower than the fixtures. You'd have a flood down there when you let out a tub of water or the washing machine drained. Plus, most areas flatly prohibit condensate and storm water in the sewer system, since this is unmetered. You are only permitted to put as much water down the drain as you buy from the municipal supply.

[Mr T]

You are only permitted to put as much water down the drain as you buy from the municipal supply.
Oops... Ive never bought a drop.... I'm on a well!


The trap thing makes sense now...

[Jacksnap]

You are only permitted to put as much water down the drain as you buy from the municipal supply.

You mean that using my irrigation pump to supply the toilets is 'illegal'? :D