# will water softener condensate keep trap filled?

**URL:** <https://forum.nachi.org/t/will-water-softener-condensate-keep-trap-filled/22591>\
**Category:** Plumbing Inspections\
**Created:** [December 6, 2007, 6:35am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/will-water-softener-condensate-keep-trap-filled/22591 "2007-12-06T06:35:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kshepard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kshepard/32/59504_2.png) [@kshepard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kshepard)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 6:35am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/will-water-softener-condensate-keep-trap-filled/22591/1 "2007-12-06T06:35:01Z")

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Does a water softener put out enough condensate to keep the trap of a 3" ABS pipe filled (the seal intact)?

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**Author:** ![craig1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@craig1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/craig1)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/will-water-softener-condensate-keep-trap-filled/22591/2 "2007-12-10T04:00:21Z")

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yes, the softener drains at least 5 gallons of water every time it goes through the regeneration process (probably every few days)

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**Author:** ![bcargin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcargin/32/1662_2.png) [@bcargin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcargin)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/will-water-softener-condensate-keep-trap-filled/22591/3 "2007-12-12T03:44:35Z")

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Kenton,  
As I’m sure you know water softners do not have “condensate” water - they do have waste water that results from the regeneration process, this can be a considerable amount of water depending on the unit. Looking at your pictures I would be more interested in the way this is plumbed and especially how the ABS and PVC are connected, mechanically I hope!

Bruce