Furnace Condensate Line Freezing

[Jazzman]

Hi everyone,
We had a spell of unusually cold weather last week, and I noticed water puddling by our high-efficiency furnace condensate pump. I tracked the 5/16” vinyl tubing and found that it ran up into attic and exited back of house through enclosure that had copper linset for AC outdoor unit. It existed near ground into downspout drain. Sure enough, it was frozen so I used hairdryer to thaw it out, and after lots of little ice pellets came out the water began to flow again.
Now I’m trying to come up with a fix.

After the weather warmed up, I took of cover where vertical tubing drains outside and noticed it was holding water. I giggled tubing which allowed air to enter and all the water drained out which leads me to think that there is a vacuum lock created because air can’t enter system. Could I run the 5/16” drain tubing into 3/4 pvc or pex so air would be able to enter and allow tube to drain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Fitter30]

That condensate is acidic typically ph runs 3-5. Does it have a neutralizer on the line? Running 5/16 line in a larger pipe or tubing works.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jazzman]

Thanks for your reply! As far as a neutralizer on drain line, I don’t see anything attached where it’s connected at condensate pump or at end of run before it goes in to downspout drain.

 

[Fitter30]

Thanks for your reply! As far as a neutralizer on drain line, I don’t see anything attached where it’s connected at condensate pump or at end of run before it goes in to downspout drain.

Neutralizer should be between furnace and pump. Furnace makes condensate about 1 gallon per hour 100,000 btu's.