- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Plumbing Question - Overflow/Drain Pan
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:00 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:00 pm
I have an overflow/drain pan under water heater that has a PVC line that drains outside.
I have an overflow/drain pan under air handler, no line is ran (yes there is a float switch on air handler).
Is it okay to run a PVC line from air handler pan and tie it into water heater pan line? Any problems with code if this is done? St. Tammany Parish FWIW.
I have an overflow/drain pan under air handler, no line is ran (yes there is a float switch on air handler).
Is it okay to run a PVC line from air handler pan and tie it into water heater pan line? Any problems with code if this is done? St. Tammany Parish FWIW.
4
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:06 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
U can run it from the AC pan to the eve
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:08 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
You don't need it , the pan you are talking about under the air handler is the secondary pan, the primary pan is inside the unit and drains out side, the secondary pan should only fill up if there is a problem and the float switch alerts you if the problem, if you drain it you will never know that there is a problem
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:26 pm to Tigerpaw123
quote:
the primary pan is inside the unit and drains out side
Nothing is draining outside. Air handler is in attic. Main drain that water goes into when unit is running goes into plumbing.
quote:
You don't need it
Yes, it was just one of the things the home inspector pointed out when we bought the house over a year ago. I usually go around and fix these types of things so if we ever sell it does not get brought up again.
This post was edited on 9/10/16 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:47 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
I recommend running a secondary drain line from the AC unit pan to the outside where you can easily see if water ever flows out. An easily seen soffit vent makes a good termination spot.
I like a float switch too to act as a backup.
This enables you to see if you have a primary drain problem before it fills up your safe pan and cuts your AC off.
Eliminates the problem of a hot house and a pan in a hot attic that you have to drain somehow.
I like a float switch too to act as a backup.
This enables you to see if you have a primary drain problem before it fills up your safe pan and cuts your AC off.
Eliminates the problem of a hot house and a pan in a hot attic that you have to drain somehow.
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:52 pm to doubleb
[quote]doubleb
[/quote
That makes sense. If you see any water dripping out of the secondary then you know somethings up. Gives you a heads up before the level is high enough to close the overflow switch.
[/quote
That makes sense. If you see any water dripping out of the secondary then you know somethings up. Gives you a heads up before the level is high enough to close the overflow switch.
Posted on 9/10/16 at 4:53 pm to QuietTiger
Yes
I've had three homes and have always done it this way.
I've had three homes and have always done it this way.
Posted on 9/10/16 at 5:04 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
By code, you can have a safe pan with float switch OR run a drain from safe pan to a conspicuous location.
Intention of the code is that if there is water in the pan, which means there is a problem, you know about it.
You can put a vave n the drain line that stays closed to easily drain in the event of a problem
Intention of the code is that if there is water in the pan, which means there is a problem, you know about it.
You can put a vave n the drain line that stays closed to easily drain in the event of a problem
Posted on 9/10/16 at 5:06 pm to doubleb
So, on a properly functioning unit, there should be no water in the secondary pan?
My unit is in the attic and there us a PVC drain that runs to the eve. I have recently noticed some water dripping out that pipe in the eve. I just went in the attic and looked in the pan and there is about a quarter inch of water in the pan.
Time to call the A/C guy?
My unit is in the attic and there us a PVC drain that runs to the eve. I have recently noticed some water dripping out that pipe in the eve. I just went in the attic and looked in the pan and there is about a quarter inch of water in the pan.
Time to call the A/C guy?
This post was edited on 9/10/16 at 5:08 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 6:30 pm to doublecutter
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/14/20 at 6:54 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 6:32 pm to Ricardo
quote:
Possible that the primary line is gunked up with sediment. It can get pretty disgusting.
No issues, I periodically do put bleach down the line.
Posted on 9/10/16 at 6:37 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/14/20 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 11:46 pm to doublecutter
Correct, you need to clean your primary drain and drain line.
Comp air or bleach works unless it's really stopped up. Check the outlet in your primary pan too. Sometimes it gets plugged with something.
Comp air or bleach works unless it's really stopped up. Check the outlet in your primary pan too. Sometimes it gets plugged with something.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 12:05 am to doublecutter
Probably time to blow out the line. Use an air compressor or co2 tank if you have one. Doesn't need much pressure at all to clear it, but it should be done once a year as preventative maintenance. It gets clogged with lint and things. Ours backed up last month and had to have an a/c guy come out and that was his advice. He also brought about a ten foot peice of clear tubing and suctioned the water from the trap so he didn't have to sit in my hot attic. 
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News