Is there some type of back up safety switch for a tankless water heater? This gas heater has a condensate line, with an air break, but no drip pan, or any way to protect the home from backups. This is in a closet on the second floor.
I was unable to determine where this line drains, due to vegetation around the home, but if it backs up, it could flood the area.
What would you guys recommend for this? I could recommend a water alarm, but that wouldnt do any good if nobody is home.
Second floor of same residence? I usually remember rules about secondary drains, etc. as you are allowed to ruin your own house but not someone else’s. Meaning, same residence usually doesn’t require pans, secondary drains, etc. Not to say they aren’t a good idea… and the “rules” may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Same residence. Normally, I would just recommend a drip pan under the water heater, with a drain to the exterior. But this one is a constant condensate line, like an a/c. I would assume it can back up just the same
Actually, the fact that it has an air break, probably indicates that it is tied into the sewer line?
I wouldn’t expect a lot of condensate out of the unit if no one is home and using hot water. Maybe a bit if they start the dishwasher or clothes washer before leaving?
Thats a good point
If it is going into the sewer line, there should be a P-trap. The air gap is not always required if we can see the termination, because we can easily see if water/condensate is coming out. An air gap doesn’t necessarily indicate that the termination is in a sewer line. I see guys putting air gaps and P-traps on condensate lines that terminate three feet away on top of an open floor drain. I think some installers just have their way of doing things regardless the individual circumstances of the property.
For installation questions a good source is always the manufacturer’s instructions. Did you look them up?
Yes, but it could be hidden. The only visible portion is the stand pipe above the floor.
In a prior life we installed a number of air handlers and such.
Our solution to preventing clogged condensate lines was to bump them up a size as soon as possible. Usually within a foot of exiting the air handlers.
You’re going from a 3/4 to an 1-1/2 at least. There’s just about zero chance of that getting clogged unless little Timmy fills it up with debris(Yes, it’s happened, I guess it’s fun watching dismembered GI Joes going bye bye).
In WA, with the winter and colder weather there is a substantial amount of condensate from a tankless unit. With that said, I believe all manufacturers call it out as I stalled with a visible gap to a same or oversized drain. Most even allow the drain to be 1/2" for condensate.
All I would call out would be to put a leak alarm and they can add a drip pan if they want.
With all of the tankless unita I have seen, I have not ever seen a condensate backed up yet, but, still worth the leak alarm at a minimum in my eyes.
If you’re gonna do it, do it right!
Don’t just invest in an alarm, invest in one that willl shut the water off!
What good is an alarm if no ones there to hear it, and shut the water down?
