The original HVAC guy has put the PVC drain pipe right through this pump. As far as I can see, he put the pump on the floor and then put the pvc drain pipe in it and cemented the drain pipe to the furnace drain. The pump is little Giant VCMA-20 and was able to find on the web. I managed move the pump up (slide on the ABS 1 inch pipe) and hung it and the n removed the tank and cleaned as much gunk as I could to get it working again. That pipe goes too close to the floor for pump to come out. Do I have any choice but to cut the pipe and snake out the pump?
Furnace Condensate pump how to clean?
- Thread starter Vikas
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PVC connectors are cheap, as is PVC cement. Break out the hacksaw and cut away the pipe. Then cement in a nipple and run some hose to the pump inlet. That way the pump can be serviced in the future.
Don't do that if it contradicts the installation instructions. But that's how I'd do it if faced with that situation.
Don't do that if it contradicts the installation instructions. But that's how I'd do it if faced with that situation.
Fernco type rubber coupling would be the easiest.
Bleach is good to clean out gunk in condensate sumps, dehumidifier tanks, etc. It kills and breaks up the bio-film that has formed.
JHZR2
Staff member
I'd just cut the PVC at a convenient spot, and then go buy a coupling. No need to even glue it together since condensate is a sporadic gravity drain.
Is yours over flowing onto the floor?
We had that problem with ours, and it ended up being the clear tubing that it pumps the water through to the main drainage pipe was clogged up with film. We ran a new piece of clear tubing to the drainage pipe, and cleaned out the pump and it worked fine.
We had that problem with ours, and it ended up being the clear tubing that it pumps the water through to the main drainage pipe was clogged up with film. We ran a new piece of clear tubing to the drainage pipe, and cleaned out the pump and it worked fine.
Amount of slimy crud inside the tank and the pump was disgusting; I cleaned as much as I could but getting the pump in a sink would have been so much better. It was clogged completely and after cleaning it, it is now running. I put some vinegar in the tank. I hope that will not cause problem further down the road.
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
My HVAC guy did the same thing.
I put in a PVC union where I could easily reach it. Now I can easily remove the pipe to service the pump and also make sure the bottom of the drain is clear.
Does end pipe hang off the union without gluing aka force fit? I have never worked with any PVC piping (well, I have not worked with the copper plumbing either!)
My HVAC guy did the same thing.
I put in a PVC union where I could easily reach it. Now I can easily remove the pipe to service the pump and also make sure the bottom of the drain is clear.
Does end pipe hang off the union without gluing aka force fit? I have never worked with any PVC piping (well, I have not worked with the copper plumbing either!)
Any pictures Vikas?
Regards, JC.
Regards, JC.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
are the pump rated to flow bleach? i.e. can I just dump it in the tank?
That I don't know, but whatever you use to clean it, I'd it flush with clean water when done. Leaving a cleaner in the tank could cause corrosion on the pump.
Caution: Don't mix any other cleaners with bleach, that can create some wicked dangerous fumes!
are the pump rated to flow bleach? i.e. can I just dump it in the tank?
That I don't know, but whatever you use to clean it, I'd it flush with clean water when done. Leaving a cleaner in the tank could cause corrosion on the pump.
Caution: Don't mix any other cleaners with bleach, that can create some wicked dangerous fumes!
I bought this and it works great.
www.diyvac.com
www.diyvac.com
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Does end pipe hang off the union without gluing aka force fit? I have never worked with any PVC piping (well, I have not worked with the copper plumbing either!)
I used PVC cement. Just cut the pipe, clean the end up with sandpaper, prime it, glue it, apply the union.
Piece of cake.
PVC union
Does end pipe hang off the union without gluing aka force fit? I have never worked with any PVC piping (well, I have not worked with the copper plumbing either!)
I used PVC cement. Just cut the pipe, clean the end up with sandpaper, prime it, glue it, apply the union.
Piece of cake.
PVC union
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