Lemmy
Member
My house unfortunately has a 95% condensating furnace in the attic. The drain line is pvc and has the foam insulation around it. It has a very low slop for about 10' then it turns down and drops 2 stories vertical to the basement where it joins with the condensate line from the unit down there and then goes through the wall to the outside. It runs about 1.5-2' pretty much laying on top of the ground....very little slope. I am worried that I will have freezing problems in the winter and was wanting to make an improvement. These are some ideas I have had:
1) I have no drains in the basement, but I thought about re-routing the condensate lines in to a condensate pump, then run this up in to the side of a drain pipe just above the trap (like a kitchen sink or shower). Since condensate pumps have check valves, would the condensate pump and basement be protected from a clogged drain causing a back up in to the shower? Are there any other negatives? Should I run this all pvc or pex? What is the best way to attach it to the drain line?
2) run just the attic unit condensate in to a pump and then run this in to a sewer vent in the attic. I am not really sure this is a good idea. I would think I would need a trap between the pump and the vent, but it seems in the summer that could easily dry up.
3) dig out the ground near the existing drain line and as soon as the pvc comes out of the wall turn it down 18" and then turn and run it horizontal (with a slop) and fill the area with sand and gravel? The only problem is there isn't much room because this is between the two outside AC units.
Are there any other better ideas?
BTW, I live in East TN, so it really doesn't get that cold here, but it isn't unusual to have several days below freezing.
1) I have no drains in the basement, but I thought about re-routing the condensate lines in to a condensate pump, then run this up in to the side of a drain pipe just above the trap (like a kitchen sink or shower). Since condensate pumps have check valves, would the condensate pump and basement be protected from a clogged drain causing a back up in to the shower? Are there any other negatives? Should I run this all pvc or pex? What is the best way to attach it to the drain line?
2) run just the attic unit condensate in to a pump and then run this in to a sewer vent in the attic. I am not really sure this is a good idea. I would think I would need a trap between the pump and the vent, but it seems in the summer that could easily dry up.
3) dig out the ground near the existing drain line and as soon as the pvc comes out of the wall turn it down 18" and then turn and run it horizontal (with a slop) and fill the area with sand and gravel? The only problem is there isn't much room because this is between the two outside AC units.
Are there any other better ideas?
BTW, I live in East TN, so it really doesn't get that cold here, but it isn't unusual to have several days below freezing.
