Hey, Handy type people!

So, my AC/Heater unit and hot water heater are in the garage. The AC unit condensation is piped into the pan under the hot water heater. It's only two inches deep, and it's full.

A. Is this normal? B. Is this going to be a problem? C. If I have to fix it, how does that work?

condensate is normal, it should be piped to a drain

Not normal for water to be standing. You should have a drain to the outside of your garage. Chances are all you need to do is find it and flush it with a water hose. Water standing means that, if you have a metal pan, you'll see some rust as soon as the coating is worn through. I had to repair my A/C evap drip pan, and let me tell you that it wasn't fun, but it should last as long as the rest of my 26 year old unit's life.

Thanks for the quick answers! I'll check in the morning, or evening when it's cool.

As noted above, any condensate/drip pan should be piped outside. Assuming that the piping actually exists, try to identify what is causing the clog. If it's because crud is growing in it, pouring a little bleach down the pipe every few months can keep things running smoothly.

Once you establish that the installation is correct (drain pipe exists, etc.), then clean it out.

Note that there should be a pan under the evaporator coil inside the unit enclosure, and this is what should be piped to the outside or even into the house's drain system. If that fills up, from the drain being clogged, then there's an overflow. I wonder exactly where your clog is and if you're seeing the overflow system.

Anyway, there is also supposed to be an access point so you can pour a cup of bleach into the internal pan, which keeps the mold/algae down, which is usually what clogs the drain. You're supposed to do that once a month.

Look for a mud dobber or fire ant nest at the outlet of the drain pipe.

Funny story. Our first summer here in this house, I happened to be in the crawl space for some reason and I noticed a drip, drip, dripping. I found the condensate drain for one of the indoor units, which was located in the attic space. The pipe terminated in a vertical run just above the main beam. Water was dripping onto the beam and finding its way from there to the vapor barrier on the ground where a large-ish puddle had been formed. Naturally, I immediately contacted the builder. He didn't believe me until he came out and saw it for himself. He had his sub come out the next day and drill a hole through the foundation wall and finish the piping. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it got past the building inspector.

So yeah, make sure the piping actually exists first.

Gotcha. RIght now it's 96 degrees and sunny, so crawling around in the garage is on hold.

Condensate draining through the WH pan sounds like a contractor short cut , prolly better to keep the condensate drain separate of the WH, might be code too. Easier to spot a leak from the WH if it was the only source in the pan.

I'd run a separate drain for the condensate preferably outside or into a house/ garage drain w/ minimum 1/4" slope/ ft. If into a house drain there needs to be a trap off the evap. pan to prevent the fan from sucking sewer gas from the drain.

I don't think draining the condensate into the WH pan is a code violation.

Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation.

SVreX wrote: Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation.

Might be where you come from but not everywhere. Depends on the muni code and if they lump condensate in w/ storm water in sewers which is verboten almost everywhere. Every county round here we can dump condensate in wash basins, washer stand pipes, floor drains etc. providing there is an air gap and there must be a trap at evap pan outlet. Most remote condensate sump pumps can be connected to drain piping provided there is a check valve.

i've seen places where the a/c drain had gone into the bathtub, kitchen sink, just outside on the ground. apparently anywhere is a-ok in texas

fasted58 wrote:

SVreX wrote: Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation.

Might be where you come from but not everywhere. Depends on the muni code and if they lump condensate in w/ storm water in sewers which is verboten almost everywhere. Every county round here we can dump condensate in wash basins, washer stand pipes, floor drains etc. providing there is an air gap and there must be a trap at evap pan outlet. Most remote condensate sump pumps can be connected to drain piping provided there is a check valve.

I think you are mistaken. It's in the IBC, which is national, whether or not it is enforced locally.

The issue is not the dumping of condensate. The issue is tying into the sewer with a line that will likely not generate any water for months on end, which will allow the trap to dry out and sewer gases to escape into the house.

Strizzo wrote: apparently anywhere is a-ok in texas

Yes, Yes it is.

SVreX wrote:

fasted58 wrote:

SVreX wrote: Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation.

Might be where you come from but not everywhere. Depends on the muni code and if they lump condensate in w/ storm water in sewers which is verboten almost everywhere. Every county round here we can dump condensate in wash basins, washer stand pipes, floor drains etc. providing there is an air gap and there must be a trap at evap pan outlet. Most remote condensate sump pumps can be connected to drain piping provided there is a check valve.

I think you are mistaken. It's in the IBC, which is national, whether or not it is enforced locally.

My state has their own Uniform Construction Code. State codes primarily follow IBC, IPC, IMC etc. for new construction and additions, are subject to state and local amendments but are not carbon copies. Adoption of state codes by municipalities is voluntary. Municipalities that opt out of state codes must administer and enforce their own codes.

Per my county code '09:

Condensation from evaporator coils shall drain to an indirect waste receptor (floor drain, stand pipe). Minimum condensate drain size 3/4" nominal pipe. Minimum 1" air gap required between drain and indirect waste receptors. Direct connection to a waste pipe is prohibited. Connection to vent piping is prohibited.

Your code citation just reiterated what I said earlier. An indirect connection does not give the potential for traps to dry and allow sewer gases to escape.

Direct connection to a waste pipe is prohibited.

In reply to SVreX:

Per my last two posts:

"providing there is an air gap"

"Minimum 1" air gap required"

I'm not advocating a direct connection just saying it's permissable to drain condensate into a sewer drain per "Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation."

Ojala wrote:

Strizzo wrote: apparently anywhere is a-ok in texas

Yes, Yes it is.

ANY moisture that touches the ground is wanted in Texas.

4eyes wrote:

Ojala wrote:

Strizzo wrote: apparently anywhere is a-ok in texas

Yes, Yes it is.

ANY moisture that touches the ground is wanted in Texas.

So that's pretty much a green light for public urination?

fasted58 wrote: In reply to SVreX: Per my last two posts: "providing there is an air gap" "Minimum 1" air gap required" I'm not advocating a direct connection just saying it's permissable to drain condensate into a sewer drain per "Draining it into the sewage system IS a code violation."

That was a response to your 10/11 12:08 post where you described hooking up to the sewer. I saw nothing stating an indirect connection. As you wrote it (requiring a trap, but not specifying an indirect connection) is not legal.

I have no doubt you understand what you are doing and what the requirements are. This, however, is the internet, and I found it important to clarify your post which was easy to misunderstand and many readers would not know about an indirect connection.

It would have been more accurate for me to say "Draining it DIRECTLY into the sewer system IS a code violation". My statement is not perfectly accurate, but would prevent a big screwup exactly as written. Yours would not without further clarification.

Sorry for chasing rabbits. Carry on.

^ I shoulda gone here right from the get go on 7/8 and saved a few thousand words.