The most popular areas we terminate condensate drain lines to is the side of the house and usually about six inches from the ground. And this can be in a planted area that is large enough to accept the amount of drainage, and soak down into the earth.
Where an installer is fitting a new or replacement boiler, the condensate discharge pipe should be connected to an internal “gravity discharge point” such as an internal soil stack (preferred method), internal kitchen or bathroom waste pipe such as sink, basin, bath or shower waste.
Condensate lines should terminate in a location that allows for safe and effective drainage. This can include outdoor areas, a nearby floor drain, or a dedicated drain connected indirectly to your plumbing system to prevent contamination.
Condensate drain pipe joints shall be sealed (chemical weld, soldered, etc.) gas tight and shall terminate outside the building perimeter at a height of at least 6 inches (152 mm) above the finished grade ground level.
Con- densate drains shall not discharge into a plumbing fixture other than a floor sink, floor drain, trench drain, mop sink, hub drain, standpipe, util- ity sink or laundry sink.
The most popular areas we terminate condensate drain lines to is the side of the house and usually about six inches from the ground. And this can be in a planted area that is large enough to accept the amount of drainage, and soak down into the earth.
The IMC dictates a 1% minimum pitch of the drain, equal to 1/8″ fall for every 12″ (foot) of horizontal run. In practice, it is safer to use 1/4″ of fall per foot to ensure proper drainage and provide some wiggle room for error.
Leaks with a constant flow rather than slow drip can mean a condensate pipe has become disconnected or punctured. If that's the case, it's important to get your HVAC system serviced as soon as possible to avoid additional problems including further damage to your house.
Heating engineers should follow manufacturer's instructions on the use of air breaks in condensate discharge pipes. A visible air break is not required if the boiler condensate trap has a minimum condensate seal of 75mm incorporated into the boiler.
It is strongly advised to run the condensate pipe internally of the building.
How do I find my AC drain line? Your AC has a condensate drain line running from the indoor to the outdoor unit. You'll find the end of the drain line somewhere near the outdoor unit (usually a copper or white PVC pipe). As for the access point, look for a vertical pipe with a cap near the indoor unit.
In general, the water will be released in 300ml increments, which is why you may hear gurgling noises every so often when running your gas boiler.
The pipes dip in a trap close to the coil end of the pipes. The trap resembles a shallow U-shape. The bend lives up to its name as it traps gas from your drainage lines. After the trap section, the AC condensate drainage pipe continues on to the outdoors or to one of your structure's other drain lines.
Generally, there are different places where you can drain the water; these might include underground drain pipes, catch basins, or gardens. One excellent option here is to connect your condensate drain line to a sink.
They add that: 'Where there is no other option than to run the pipe externally, the pipe needs to be increased to at least a 30 mm inside diameter and insulated to help prevent freezing.” If you need to thaw a condensate pipe, follow our step-by-step guide to help you get your boiler up and running quickly and easily.
Air Conditioning System FAQs
How far from the foundation does the air conditioning condensate drain line have to be? The drain line must extend a minimum of 12" away from the foundation to prevent excess moisture from accumulating at the foundation.
The condensate pipe will usually come out of the back of your boiler, down the external wall, and into the drain. It could also terminate into a waste pipe internally (a sink waste pipe, for example). It's a small, usually-white pipe, so It should be easy to spot amongst the metal pipes.
Condensate drains shall not directly connect to any plumbing drain, waste or vent pipe. Condensate drains shall not discharge into a plumbing fixture other than a floor sink, floor drain, trench drain, mop sink, hub drain, standpipe, utility sink or laundry sink.
Where a drainage air gap is required by this code, the minimum vertical distance as measured from the lowest point of the indirect waste pipe or the fixture outlet to the flood-level rim of the receptor shall be not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm).
The drain pan and condensate drain line in an AC unit move residual water from the system to outside your home. If you have an AC drain pan full of water, it can lead to leaks, bacteria and algae buildup, and water damage. Leaks can also be a sign of future problems with other AC system components.
It is possible to terminate a condensate pipe into a rain water down pipe that terminates into the foul waste system. As with all externally-run condensate pipes, it is recommended to keep the external run to minimum and the pipe diameter to 32mm when exiting the property.
Over time, this line can become clogged with algae, dirt, dust, and debris. When this happens, the line backs up and overflows from the drain pan, causing the water to leak into your home. You can unclog the drain line by removing the debris with a wet/dry vac.
Most jurisdictions will not allow condensate discharge in the sanitary sewer system. Disposing condensate into sewer systems creates hundreds of gallons of water that must be treated daily during hot summer months.
Condensate from more than one temperature controlled process may join a common line, as long as this line is: Designed to slope in the direction of flow to a collection point.
The internal rails aid in returning the ball to the seat in case the variable speed fan is operating at a low flow and low negative pressure. Figure 1: Trap Required in Condensate Line If the condensate drain line is under negative pressure (e.g., upstream of blower as shown here) a trap is required.