condensate pump box code - DIY Chatroom

babikes · 06-24-2009, 05:07 PM

A home inspector cited me for having my AC condensate and dehumidifier condensate in the same pump box. The pump box discharges to a sump pit. Is this a valid code violation, and if so, what is the potential hazard?

ScottR · 06-25-2009, 03:29 PM

Where is your location and what jurisdiction is that under (in other words, who does the inspector work for)? Or was this a private home inspector used during the sale of the property? (I'm guessing not, because they can't actually cite you for anything).

If it's an inspector having authority, then you may just have to go with the flow here and use 2 condensate pumps.

Frankly I don't see a hazard -- you'd still have a minor "flood" even if you had 2 pump boxes and one pump failed. But that's my opinion and not necessarily code.. Maybe his concern was that the pump is undersized.

babikes · 06-25-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottR

Where is your location and what jurisdiction is that under (in other words, who does the inspector work for)? Or was this a private home inspector used during the sale of the property? (I'm guessing not, because they can't actually cite you for anything).

If it's an inspector having authority, then you may just have to go with the flow here and use 2 condensate pumps.

Frankly I don't see a hazard -- you'd still have a minor "flood" even if you had 2 pump boxes and one pump failed. But that's my opinion and not necessarily code.. Maybe his concern was that the pump is undersized.

Scott,
It was a private home inspector. I assumed his observation was based on code somewhere - I don't see a hazard either. Thanks.

ScottR · 06-25-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babikes

Scott,
It was a private home inspector. I assumed his observation was based on code somewhere - I don't see a hazard either. Thanks.

If he can't cite the actual code, then don't worry about it unless it's causing some problems with the buyers/sellers/whomever.

babikes · 06-25-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottR

If he can't cite the actual code, then don't worry about it unless it's causing some problems with the buyers/sellers/whomever.

They want it done, so.......I'll remove the dehumidifier drain tubing, and replace the reservoir. Let's see how he likes it when he has to remove the trim enclosure, slide out the dehumidifier, pull the reservoir, dump the water and reassemble each time the reservoir fills up, and the dehumidifier shuts down!!!

This is what happens when they hire a novice, recently certified building inspector who loads up the report with lots of nit-picky stuff, and the real estate agent and buyer don't have a clue!