No primary drain on air handler?
#1
07-20-16, 08:46 PM
No primary drain on air handler?
Guys,
PVC drain line leaking on the side of this house and after I go up in the addict I found the pipe with no fitting slowly dripping into the catch pan? Am I wrong here or does the PVC fitting that is just dripping to the pan have to be ran outside of the house? Any specific area to run this if so (the easiest way)?
PVC drain line leaking on the side of this house and after I go up in the addict I found the pipe with no fitting slowly dripping into the catch pan? Am I wrong here or does the PVC fitting that is just dripping to the pan have to be ran outside of the house? Any specific area to run this if so (the easiest way)?
#2
07-20-16, 08:50 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
There are two drain fittings in the air handler. The one that has a pipe on it is the primary drain. The other one is slightly higher and is the overflow drain. Since there is water coming out of the overflow drain.... the primary one is plugged.
There should not normally be any water in the overflow pan or it will rust thru.... like yours is starting to do.
There are two drain fittings in the air handler. The one that has a pipe on it is the primary drain. The other one is slightly higher and is the overflow drain. Since there is water coming out of the overflow drain.... the primary one is plugged.
There should not normally be any water in the overflow pan or it will rust thru.... like yours is starting to do.
#3
07-20-16, 08:58 PM
So either way water will drain out of that fitting on the side of the house? I was told there should be two separate lines going out of the house (one low and one high). So if the top line leaks that means my primary would be plugged. If this is the case the line would leak wether the primary was plugged or not correct?
#4
07-20-16, 09:18 PM
Group Moderator
Usually there are two lines. One connects to the primary port on the air handler and does go down low to the ground. The second line to the overflow pan is left high so it's noticeable when walking by.
Many installers will install one line with a Tee for the two pans and then add a float switch either in the overflow pan or the secondary drain fitting.
Many installers will install one line with a Tee for the two pans and then add a float switch either in the overflow pan or the secondary drain fitting.
#5
07-20-16, 09:59 PM
So the primary line is glued to the fitting. I guess putting a union in line so you can service the line was asking a bit much. I'm left with two options...
1. Hook up a vacuum to the drain line outside the house and try to suck debris out to clear the line.
2. Cut the nipple on the primary between the fitting on the air handler and the 90, clear debris out, then install a union so I can service in the future.
Opinions?
1. Hook up a vacuum to the drain line outside the house and try to suck debris out to clear the line.
2. Cut the nipple on the primary between the fitting on the air handler and the 90, clear debris out, then install a union so I can service in the future.
Opinions?
#6
07-20-16, 10:00 PM
Group Moderator
#8
07-21-16, 07:08 PM
So the lower primary drain is setup to run straight to the pan. I cut the "primary"
(At least thought it was) and it was bone dry with no buildup. Took a picture and it's slightly higher than the other. I think the builders ran the secondary line to the drain line and the primary to the catch pan.
(At least thought it was) and it was bone dry with no buildup. Took a picture and it's slightly higher than the other. I think the builders ran the secondary line to the drain line and the primary to the catch pan.
#9
07-21-16, 09:02 PM
Group Moderator
Ok... that is absolutely wrong.
There should be no routine water in the overflow pan or it will rust thru like yours is doing.
The lower fitting in the air handler should go outside and the upper one can be allowed to flow into the overflow pan.
This member has the same exact problem you do... only his pan has rusted thru.
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ai...n-leaking.html
There should be no routine water in the overflow pan or it will rust thru like yours is doing.
The lower fitting in the air handler should go outside and the upper one can be allowed to flow into the overflow pan.
This member has the same exact problem you do... only his pan has rusted thru.
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ai...n-leaking.html
#10
07-21-16, 09:43 PM
Here is the picture of the air handler hi/low and changed piping. Hope this saves someone the troubleshooting/research I went through. Couldn't of done it without PJ either.
P.s. Not sure why it posted the hi/low upside down.
P.s. Not sure why it posted the hi/low upside down.
