Furnace condensate plumping into sewer

[dis00]

Hi guys

this is not quite garage related as the problem is in my basement but you guys have been great with other questions so I thought I'd try here.

I notice a drip leak from the piping from my furnace where it connects to the basement sink plumbing. I started to take some of it a part and there was a lot of build of gunk and **** inside the reducing connection between the sink sewer drain and the furnace drain pipe. I have cleaned out as much as i can get and also ran the water in the sink to flush out any gunk I had pushed back. On doing this I noticed the flow out of the (now open) reducing connector is greatly improved. My question is, with this improved flow, when I run the faucet in the basement sink and I believe the kitchen sink is connected, will the water not back up into the furnace?

 

[b-boy]

I can't imagine that that would happen unless you had a complete blockage in your main sewer line downstream from the basement sink.

 

[Climatecreator]

Your furnace condensate should NOT be connected to your plumbing, nor should your AC condensate directly. It needs a trapped open drain for the AC and same for furnace AFTER neutralization.

CC

 

[dis00]

there are no p-traps on the plumping of the condensate plumping

 

[The Cobbler]

according to your code, it may not permit the condensate line to be plumbed in without a properly vented ptrap . having said that, it's not the end of the world if it is (IMO) but I would be sure to have the condensate line well above the flood level of the sink , meaning it loops higher than the sink so if it does back up , it wont run back to the furnace . the sink will overflow first.
ideally the condensate line should have an air gap before entering the sewer

 

[Jackfre]

First, is it in the cooling mode or the condensate from the heating condensate. If heating from the combustion process you will find a Ph of about 3.2. Put that in a metallic drain system that is not washed/diluted by volumes of regular drain water and it can tear a metallic system apart. If condensate from an AC system with a slow drip, drip, drip into a sink drain, yes you will likely grow mold/mildew in the area where the flow connects to the soil pipe, the sink in your case.

 

[yeldogt]

Some of the older systems actually had a water connection -- the furnace self cleaned .. so you don't need anything with them. Also, if you have a dehumidifier --many also flush and put water into the system. My dehumidifier put lots of water in the pump.

In my area -- its the boilers that require the neutralizer tank. But, you can still connect them up to the sewer drain.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

As the others have said, your condensate drain is not to code. You need to have P-trap on the condensate line and an open air gap between the condensate drain and the fixture you're draining into. You cannot tie directly into a drain. All fossil fuel condensing burners are supposed to have neutralizers on the drain lines, too.

Tommy

 

[Showkey]

In the This area ..........The common and accepted practice for AC and furnace condensate is gravity drain into the floor drain. Floor drain is connected to the sump crock ( ground water control ) or sump sewer ejector. From there either it’s set outside or to sewer or septic. Other than dilution no other treatment is done.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

In the This area ..........The common and accepted practice for AC and furnace condensate is gravity drain into the floor drain. Floor drain is connected to the sump crock ( ground water control ) or sump sewer ejector. From there either it’s set outside or to sewer or septic. Other than dilution no other treatment is done.

Common practice, maybe, but not accepted. All fossil fuel condensing burners are required to have neutralizers.

Tommy

 

[Showkey]

Common practice, maybe, but not accepted. All fossil fuel condensing burners are required to have neutralizers.

Tommy

Maybe .........but it JUST NOT done here on new or old installs..........so it’s not required here. Yes by accepted practice .....they are passing inspections here too.