Condensate Pump Drain Line Frozen

How to prevent frozen condensate drain lines.

Condensate pump drain line frozen.

If you already have a frozen condensate line this is an easy fix. We went outside and saw the drain line was about 2 feet long of 2 pvc mounted vertically about 6 inches off the ground. Today a plumber figured out that my heater is 90 efficient produces lots of condensate and the drain line had frozen. You can unscrew that float unit and put a bucket there to drain the condensate until the line thaws.

It pumps it out only when the drain line is frozen. The condensate pump will only come on if the outside gravity line freezes. Just saw off the portion of the line that is frozen. Shortening the drain pipe to give water less space in which to freeze can also be effective.

The best way to stop condensate drain line freeze is to use weather proof sleeves placed around the drain. Water will back up but instead of triggering the furnace shut off it overflows through the new t fitting into the condensate pump and voila. Last night my heat forced air suddenly stopped. Your inside coil should have two outlets to drain condensate one running outside and the other with a float switch to shut down the unit if the outside drains clogs.

During periods of snow verify that snow hasn t risen to the level of the drain line where it can block it and cause further freezing.