Spray foam in an evap unit?

I’ve never seen spray foam used to seal penetrations in an evaporator coil unit. would anyone call this out and if so, why?

From my vantage point it looks like whoever added the “great stuff” failed to seal the leaks, I can see the leaks from Ohio. :wink:

I doubt I would call out the foam seal but would call out any leaks.

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I would call it out because it looks like the foam may be interfering with the condensate drain, and isn’t sealed.

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Yes. call it out because you never saw it before.

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Is this house in a jurisdiction that is enforcing Building Envelope and Duct Tightness requirements? If so, that is likely why you’re seeing the foam.

if only it were that simple!

I know your something of an HVAC pro - what do you think about Mr.Wigger’s consideration regarding the foam possibly interfering with the condensate drain?

Also, have you ever seen spray foam used to seal evap unit penetrations?

Not quite sure. Is this something you’ve seen done before?

I have my own Building Envelope & Duct Tightness requirements - I want to see the penetrations sealed up, too. Only I typically see that done with HVAC putty or a black flexible tape.

To start with, insufficient information. From more than one poster.

Would also like to know just how it is perceived that it would cause a problem.

I have seen everything tried at one point or the other.

I would like to ask why anyone thinks this is a problem in the first place?
Not that it isn’t, but perceptions may be wrong. And wrong is not good.
There are a dozen reasons why it may be bad, or not. If your going to call it, what is the reason for calling it?

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What i’m imagining is spray foam that got into the pan and leads to a clog. Or spray foam that got on the coils/fins. Who knows how much was sprayed inside. It just kinda… keeps going, you know?

This is a warranty inspection *that was not inspected at completion, btw. Just being careful to try and defend this guy from stupid builder crap.

To start, do we know this plug was removed?
If not, it would be hard to get foam into the pan, unless they shot a whole can in there.

Is the water all over the floor? I don’t see that.
If the pan is blocked, it would overflow all over the place.

One other thing, that unit does not have an A Coil as your showing.

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No, you can see the red secondary drain cap if you look close enough. there is no secondary drain, just a float switch on the primary.

Not at the time of inspection, so that’s a good sign. What happens to spray foam after getting hot air blown over it for a couple winters? maybe a little piece falls off?

It looks like it may be, judging from this illustration in the installation manual. But the fins and coils looks like they are a good bit away.

Not the definitive documentation I was looking for, but the manufacturer does recommend putty or tape to seal some penetrations.
image

This looks more like the configuration that was the OPs picture. Note the closeness of the lower freon line to the drain. In original photo, you can see the foam inside the evaporator housing and to the right of the freon line.

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Well there ya’ go. Spray foam is not putty or tape. Not a recommended sealant. You have your defect :grinning:

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Yea, technically there arent any drain lines coming out of some of those holes that were foamed, but screw it. ill put it in the report. it kinda meets the spirit of the requirement

There you go! :+1:

Document all your inabilities to report “significant deficiencies” as required by inspection standards. It provides your client a more accurate perspective on the validity of your report concerns.

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That got a smile out me :smile:

Flanders over here is a real hoot

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Do you have a point, or just being ornery for no reason? Are you suggesting my client won’t appreciate being abundantly careful that his brand new heatpump wasn’t improperly tampered with?

Why do you care, anyway?

image
An A Coil requires air from the bottom or top. Your picture appears the unit is on a slab of sorts. How do you get air from the bottom? Where did the return duct come from?

Your picture appears the unit is on a slab of sorts

Plywood

I’m sure they will appreciate the delay and additional cost due to your ;

Yea, it was my attempt to call out potential ramifications of your report writing attitude, without calling you an idiot directly. Sorry!