dz63
New Member
My in-laws had a new furnace installed a few years ago. The heating contractor tied the CVPC drain lines for the AC evaporator and the humidifier into the main stack by drilling and tapping a hole into the 3" vertical ABS stack pipe. They then screwed a CPVC fitting into the stack and sealed it with silicone caulking.
Over time, I think the protruding fitting caught toilet paper and waste, eventually building up and then plugging the stack completely. It backed right up to the toilet on the floor above and water started pouring out the furnace humidifier.
They called a licensed plumber who eventually diagnosed the problem, removed the toilet upstairs and snaked the stack. But when they asked him to fix the root of the problem, he declined saying that he does not work on furnace AC and humidifier drain lines. My in-laws (seniors) said that the plumber was very young and seemed flustered by the problem and unsure of himself. Perhaps he felt it was too big a job for him to tackle? Regardless, I just want to get it fixed at a reasonable cost. They are on a fixed income and the plumber charged them $380 for his visit, which I thought was a bit much. To be fair, it was after hours (ie. 7pm) and he was there for 1 1/2 hours.
I am a mechanical engineer and quite handy. It doesn't look that difficult. The stack is rigid at the ceiling, but there already is a rubber coupling at the floor level.
My plan is to cut out a section of the stack where they tapped into it, then glue in a 3" x 1 1/2" sanitary elbow and then try to figure out what fittings I need to get from the female 1 1/2" ABS to the 1/2" CPVC.
Before I go ahead, I was hoping get some input from someone more experienced than myself to make sure that this is the right way to fix it. Your advice and any helpful tips will be gratefully received.
TIA
Over time, I think the protruding fitting caught toilet paper and waste, eventually building up and then plugging the stack completely. It backed right up to the toilet on the floor above and water started pouring out the furnace humidifier.
They called a licensed plumber who eventually diagnosed the problem, removed the toilet upstairs and snaked the stack. But when they asked him to fix the root of the problem, he declined saying that he does not work on furnace AC and humidifier drain lines. My in-laws (seniors) said that the plumber was very young and seemed flustered by the problem and unsure of himself. Perhaps he felt it was too big a job for him to tackle? Regardless, I just want to get it fixed at a reasonable cost. They are on a fixed income and the plumber charged them $380 for his visit, which I thought was a bit much. To be fair, it was after hours (ie. 7pm) and he was there for 1 1/2 hours.
I am a mechanical engineer and quite handy. It doesn't look that difficult. The stack is rigid at the ceiling, but there already is a rubber coupling at the floor level.
My plan is to cut out a section of the stack where they tapped into it, then glue in a 3" x 1 1/2" sanitary elbow and then try to figure out what fittings I need to get from the female 1 1/2" ABS to the 1/2" CPVC.
Before I go ahead, I was hoping get some input from someone more experienced than myself to make sure that this is the right way to fix it. Your advice and any helpful tips will be gratefully received.
TIA
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