The customary condensate drain lines usually drains into the household sewer ideas straight through an open relationship to an active p-trap. In some cases, these active p-traps are the bath tub or bathroom sink p-trap; should this be your case, be sure to read the special instructions in maintenance, below. Should the evaporator coil's customary drain line become clogged or should the customary drain found a leak, condensate should overflow or leak into the accident drain pan thence into the accident drain line. The accident condensate drain line, drain line, drains to a conspicuous place covering the home. Water dripping from the accident drain line is a warning indicator that something is drastically wrong with customary condensate drain system. You should not delay in calling a assistance technician.
Problems- With customary condensate drain lines stem form plant pollen, fungus spores and other particulate matter entrained in the air stream passing over the wet evaporator coil. They are captured by the condensate draining off the coil and are carried into the drain system. There they produce algae, mildew, and fungus growths which can clog the customary drain system. While the accident drain lines are usually dry and clear, they are open to the atmosphere. Wasps, called "mud-daubers", are known to nest in these open drain lines, there by rendering them useless; all the time at the wrong time.
The larger diameter pipe of the household sewer ideas yields two results. First, it usually precludes problems with condensate. Second, the maintenance and repair beyond the open relationship to the p-trap is covering the scope of the air conditioning technician. Some older systems drain into an inactive p-trap; this can lead to the long term build up of sediment, dried algae, etc... In the trap and succeed in an overflow of the plumbing drain system. If the active p-trap also services a bath tub or bathroom sink, clogs can be caused by hair, soap scum or other material draining from the tub or sink. Clogs in the household sewer ideas need the services of a licensed plumber.
Maintenance- Test both the customary and accident drains with water. If a restriction is detected, he or she clears the obstruction with compressed air. Blowing out a drain line will usually open a clogged drain line, but it cannot take off growing algae or other deposits from the pipe wall. Our technician will place algicide tablets in the customary drain pan. While algicide is used forestall algae buildup, algicide kills any existing algae. The dead algae may slough off the pipe wall and pass into the sewer ideas or drift down stream to a restriction and acquire there resulting in a clogged drain.
Special Instructions- Bathtub or bathroom sink p-traps. If the active p-trap in your ideas is the trap for a bath tub or bathroom sink, there is the possibility that material flushed from the condensate drain ideas may merge with bathroom debris already in the trap, to begin formation of a clog. Should one of these plumbing drains clog, condensate will fill the sink or tub and overflow without any warning such as water dripping form the accident drain line. After any work on your condensate drain system, the drainage of the sink and tub should be observed. If either drains gradually or backs up, plumbing maintenance is needed.
Other measures our technician my recommend are the factory of a float switch in the accident condensate drain pan and an Easy Klear clean out valve. Should both the customary and accident drain systems fail, the float switch functions to turn off the air conditioning system, stopping the yield of condensate until the clog is cleared and the drain pan emptied. The Easy Klear helps enhance drain line maintenance.
Despite all of these precautions, there can be no guarantee that your condensate drain ideas will remain clear. Your condensate drain ideas can become clogged at anytime and should be watched intimately after it has been serviced, especially when algicide has been applied. Older systems with accumulations of algae can become clogged anytime algae breaks loose from the pipe wall and drifts downstream to a restricted point. At a restriction, algae will acquire and grow unit it blocks the drain pipe. These restrictions can grow into a fully clogged drain line in less than one month.
Should a problem occur or our technician detect a problem with the p-trap or plumbing drain line (household sewer system), he or she will recommend the services of a licensed plumber. In our opinion, blowing out a large diameter plumbing drain line is not and productive repair. The household sewer system, starting at the open relationship to the condensate system, is the domain of the licensed plumber.
Liabilities- Whenever the air handling unit of an air conditioning ideas is placed in an attic or the upper stories of a building, the risk of water damage due to drain arresting and condensate overflow is potential and unavoidable. Proper found and factory coupled with timely and consistent maintenance can minimize the probability of an overflow, but cannot assuredly forestall it. Therefore, our warranties specifically exclude liability for water damage due to condensate overflow, and special, consequential or incidental damage caused by arresting of a condensate drain system.
Your homeowner's insurance should consist of coverage for water damage resulting from condensate overflow or other water leaks. We recommend you confirm your coverage.
