[handy man88]

When you guys plumb the condensation drain from the air handler, do you use both primer and cement for the PVC pipe, or just cement? I've never seen the characteristic purple primer around joints for condensation piping.

 

[biggles]

a quick wipe with a clean rag is OK when doing the drains its atmospheric drainage and the glue itself will do it fine

 

[yuri]

FYI with 636 PVC the manufacturers require primer below a certain temp. If you are doing outside new home construction below a certain temp then the primer is needed as a catalyst for the glue to work.

 

[COLDIRON]

Primer

Primer all the time , don't want call backs especially on attic jobs.

Years ago, many years ago rushed an attic job and did drain sloppy got a call that night from the customer his whole ceiling area fell into the bedroom.

Nice guy did not sue or charge me for the ceiling, never called me again either.

Young and Dumb.

 

[handy man88]

FYI with 636 PVC the manufacturers require primer below a certain temp. If you are doing outside new home construction below a certain temp then the primer is needed as a catalyst for the glue to work.

This condensation plumbing is for my air handler in my finished basement's utility room which is temperature controlled.

 

[Grampa Bud]

Either way is OK in the basement. It's preferable to use the primer, but you don't absolutely have to in a basement. Is your floor drain nearby? Of course it's probably the highest point in the floor right??

 

[yuri]

That low temp info should be in the instructions on the label of the can. Use of primer is recommended but most guys like to skip it.

 

[handy man88]

Either way is OK in the basement. It's preferable to use the primer, but you don't absolutely have to in a basement. Is your floor drain nearby? Of course it's probably the highest point in the floor right??

Yes, my floor drain is maybe 5 ft. from the air handler. Hard to tell if it's the highest point on the floor since my basement is finished, but I don't think it is.

Sans primer, how long does the cement take to cure? I know with primer and a 1/4 turn, it'll cure in about 3-4 seconds.

Without primer, can't you twist off the joint?

 

[mjbxx]

It appears to me that utilizing the primer is the way to go and I don't understand why you would not want to do so. If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind knowing it was done proper.

 

[handy man88]

It appears to me that utilizing the primer is the way to go and I don't understand why you would not want to do so. If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind knowing it was done proper.

Using primer isn't a big deal for me. I have the cleaner, primer, and cement on hand. But, I was just curious since I've never seen condensation piping plumbed with primer. Maybe the installers are going the cheap route.

In any regard, I bought one of these this past week and will be installing it. Current trap is clogged, so I will need to replace it.


http://www.airtecproducts.com/Downloads/EZT/Instructions/EZT-110%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

One interesting thing though.

I currently have 2 zones and my attic unit has this clear pvc trap installed by the previous homewoner, but on the actual condensate line, not the drain pan as the instructions indicate. The installer modified the installation such that, as best I can recall, the T-fitting before the trap is open to the atmosphere.

Does the condensate line draw air in?

I remember going to big box stores and seeing the condensate lines that they carry, the dip is not as prevalent such as a trap for a sink, because a condensate line is not keeping gases out. I think, and correct me if I"m wrong, that a condensate trap is never full, but allows both water and air to pass in case of "drawback" or negative pressure in the line.

 

[beenthere]

A condensate line trap is full when its installed right.
It is not suppose to let air travel in either direction.

 

[Grampa Bud]

A condensate drain line is NOT full when operational unless it is 1. Under Pressure or 2. Incorrectly hooked up to a sewer line. Condensate lines are required to have at LEAST a 1" air gap at the discharge end just so that they will NOT be full and/or backup.

 

[beenthere]

Thats why I said the "TRAP" is full.

Not the line.

 

[Grampa Bud]

To Handyman: Using primer isn't a bad idea, but it isn't mandatory for this type of "plumbing". The purple primer is supposed to be mandatory for pvc sewer lines and it more for the inspector than a competent plumber. The inspectors run across all types of joints done all types of ways and they have a thick code book that they have to abide by. So to make certain an improper joint doesn't fail on their watch they look for the purple chemical primer stain at each pvc hub and that there is also evidence of pvc glue on top of it. The glue and primer both have the same chemical in them that softens the pvc pipe and fitting hub. The act of inserting one into the other lets the goey pvc to blend together as they harden, like chemical welding. Some guys have tried to get away with just the primer, but primer is just chemical and purple coloring
-no gap filler- where glue has the gap filler mixed with the chemical. Gap filler is good stuff to have since primer can dry out unevenly and leave tiny tributaries for water or whatever to leak out of.