Are plastic line set covers waterproof?

[SALIV8]

It seems to me that since they aren't rated as water proof, and the way they snap or slide together without gaskets, they allow rain water in them.

I have to run some horizontal line sets and can only imagine the possible water buildup in them eventually working their way back into the building through the wall holes.

I don't have eaves to protect the line sets. They will be completely exposed to the environment... Rain, snow, ice, etc.

I'm thinking of running line sets without the line hide or drilling holes in the bottom of the runs. Or possibly only using line hide in some areas and leaving the ends bare to help possible drainage.

Have you guys had any water build up inside that you know of? I cant pitch them because there are windows in the way.

 

[R.Anderson]

I use Line-Hide, I seal the lineset, cable, condensate drain hose and use a "simple wall cover" I have the hole a little higher that the botton of the cover. Any water that does get in will drain between the cover and siding simple as that. No way enough water can leak in to cause any issue if Line-Hide is used properly. Unless you have the roof pouring right on em, then you may have a problem. Just use common sense installing.

The way this stuff snaps together I would be surprised rain water gets through the seams of the tubes but the couplings, tees may let a little water in but nothing that I can see causing a issue. Guess one could use silicone to seal em up if worried about it.

http://www.lskair.com/Catalogs/LineHide Catalog.pdf

If you are worried about it you can caulk around the top and sides of the couplings, tee , and "simple wall cover/s" and not the bottom. Help prevent water from getting in and allow water a way out.

I never had any issue with water build up with the ones I have installed and not a one I have pitched for drainage. Also I do not think I ever had any without eaves far as my memory serves but would not have any issues installing where there are no eaves. Like I said seal the penetration well and then place the cover on, with the hole a little higher that the bottom of the cover.

A tip on cutting the tubes, use a miter saw with a finishing blade.

What brand are you looking at that makes water leaking through the seams concern?

 

[SALIV8]

Thanks for the info.

No specific brand but I'm looking at diversitech, fortress, high seer, and Mitsubishi's systems. All will obviously allow water infiltration from the clicking system and elbows, couplings, etc.

 

[Kaizen]

Think of it like this. If the water can get in the top on horizontal runs....the bottom has the same gap and will let any out. Wouldn’t worry about it but you can slightly pitch it or zip tie the line set to the upper portion leaving the bottom of the cover lower then the hole in the building. You know you have to pitch the drain line anyway right? That’s more likely to back up into the house


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[PoorOwner]

You can’t assume they are 100% dry. Just seal the heck out of it with silicone where it goes into the building.
I also put a dap of silicone on each screw head. But professionals won’t take the time to do that. I can’t help to think water can get threw the threads of a couple of screws. But may not be enough to do any damage though.

 

[R.Anderson]

Think of it like this. If the water can get in the top on horizontal runs....the bottom has the same gap and will let any out. Wouldn’t worry about it but you can slightly pitch it or zip tie the line set to the upper portion leaving the bottom of the cover lower then the hole in the building. You know you have to pitch the drain line anyway right? That’s more likely to back up into the house


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Another note on the condensate drain line is be careful not to pinch it around 90° corners. Even then there is a chance it will pinch. I had a one where the customer tried pulling on it to get a little more hose to make it to a plant, pinched at the tee. Got a call the indoor unit was leaking water all over there couch.

 

[brainypencil]

Thanks for this info.

 

[justinjoyal]

When drilling holes through walls, foundations, etc., always do so downwards towards the outside to prevent water from going in.

 

[SALIV8]

Thanks Justin, that has been done.

Still was worried about "potential" water buildup in the exterior horizontal line and since the brick is porous I am on the train of thought of taking all precautions. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I'm def concerned of water intrusion in a worse case scenario.

I'm probably gonna run exposed lines horizontally, or at the least leave the ends exposed with a downward then upward curve to be sure to get rid of any moisture at the wall outlet.

Overkill is underrated kinda thing. Lol.

 

[tyme2par4]

I would just drill a few small weep holes in the bottom of the covers to allow them to drain on the horizontal sections. They won't take on a lot of water, but they definitely aren't waterproof.
If you can get away with it, you can also add just a very slight slope to help keep the water away from wall penetrations.

 

[justinjoyal]

Get a color matched aluminum cover. Works great.

Here’s a picture of a unit I installed last week. Notice the color-matched lineset cover. :

 

[SALIV8]

Get a color matched aluminum cover. Works great.

Here’s a picture of a unit I installed last week. Notice the color-matched lineset cover. :

that is clean!!

 

[rburke65]

Yes that's a very clean looking install.

 

[Radix2]

Seems a little close to the building?

Looks good.

 

[justinjoyal]

Seems a little close to the building?

Looks good.

~ 8 inches. No worries.

 

[eddieK]

It seems to me that since they aren't rated as water proof, and the way they snap or slide together without gaskets, they allow rain water in them.

I have to run some horizontal line sets and can only imagine the possible water buildup in them eventually working their way back into the building through the wall holes.

I don't have eaves to protect the line sets. They will be completely exposed to the environment... Rain, snow, ice, etc.

I'm thinking of running line sets without the line hide or drilling holes in the bottom of the runs. Or possibly only using line hide in some areas and leaving the ends bare to help possible drainage.

Have you guys had any water build up inside that you know of? I cant pitch them because there are windows in the way.

Not enough area to build up enough water...and you could just drill a few holes.

I always weather seal the hole with duct sealant

 

[hbus1300]

When drilling holes through walls, foundations, etc., always do so downwards towards the outside to prevent water from going in.

That makes a whole lot of sense.

I'm getting ready to install my diversitech line set covers and was wondering about the best ways there. Is using a little bit of silicone under/around each screw going too far? I've not drilled a lot of things through my siding, so not sure best practices there.

 

[PoorOwner]

That makes a whole lot of sense.

I'm getting ready to install my diversitech line set covers and was wondering about the best ways there. Is using a little bit of silicone under/around each screw going too far? I've not drilled a lot of things through my siding, so not sure best practices there.

I think he is referring to drilling the big hole. For the lineset I would put a small bead of silicone around each hole almost a full circle and leave a little opening on the bottom (if possible, if not probably no big deal). A little under screw head if you want.

Since most of it should be under eaves, there is probably not enough moisture transfer to cause a problem. I have not seen any tradesmen or hvac tech do this kind of sealing. They just drill and put a screw in. If you have long horizontal run is where I would pay a little more attention to make sure moisture doesn't start collecting above each screw area.

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Was out looking at my new lineset and duct yesterday and thought of this thread. The inside AND outside of the duct were wet, from condensation forming on the insulation of the lineset and on the duct. Makes me think that making the duct waterproof would be a bad idea. (And that the 3/8's thick foam sleeve that these ship with is way too thin to be very effective).