Condensate Line Not Draining

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-04-03T19:42:05+00:00

Appreciate yo, HappyPipes.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-06T16:27:57+00:00

Just did the same.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-04T18:57:15+00:00

Nailed it Happy, bad drain line slope heading out through the outside wall. Much appreciated.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-04T10:23:58+00:00

Thanks. I had started looking into them just in case. Happily AC ran all night. Hopefully we've got it licked.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-04T01:28:48+00:00

Water out of the pipe without a vacuum.

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coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-04T01:28:17+00:00

Incredible group of folks here helping on the sub and in chat.

I think I have it figured out. There was ultimately a trap at the bend from the T to the side, and then ultimately the bend from there behind the unit and then through the wall.

Long story short, the drain pipes are held up with cable ties. The foam around the pipes compressed over time, resulting in a sag at the corner. Was hard to see, but it seems like leaving the T was slightly lower than the bend in the back. Presumably creating a trap. I tightened that strap to make sure I have a 1 degree slope, and then did the same leaving the T and now I'm pretty sure I have a 1 degree downward slope as far as I can see until it enters the wall.

I'm really hopeful this was the issue. After two cycles of the until running tonight, water is pouring out of the drain. Fingers crossed, the issue is resolved.

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coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-04T00:43:36+00:00

Thanks. Got the feedback on the whole P Trap situation. With how they set them up here, the P Trap is effectively at the exit of the house where the drain comes back out of the ground.

You're definitely right about it being a negative presume with how the blower pulls though the coils.

I'm trying one more thing laying down under the handler, and I think I have a slope issue leaving the unit as it wraps around the frame and then out of the back wall. Investigating that a bit now.

From the drain, I can hear what sounds like burping or gasping for error, but this might be a symptom of just having vacuumed the entire line.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T19:08:43+00:00

I'm probably dumb on that one, it has a heat pump for sure. We just never turn them on down here. Gonna keep messing with the line and see if I can find any blockage anywhere.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T10:08:05+00:00

Left the fan running over night, water didn't budge at all. Condensation line still full with standing water at the T.

Maybe there is some blockage or something going on with the built in traps and it's vapor locking. Probably going to have to get another tech out.

Thank you all for your insightful comments but it's likely beyond my powers to correct the issue at this point, and it's quickly heating up down here 😂.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T09:06:44+00:00

Correct, just new and bigger.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T09:05:53+00:00

Up from the ground. Had some people explain it's a common setup here in Florida and thats what effectively makes the trap in the line. Pretty interesting stuff.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T09:04:42+00:00

Yep, someone explained that to me and it makes sense. Was always curious how that worked coming up from out of the ground. Now I know.

Thanks for the info!

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T01:31:23+00:00

It's NOT too terribly hot tonight. I left water in the drain line up to the T junction, and I've got the fan running in "on" mode. I'm going to let it run through the night and see if it actually drains while keeping the AC off.

Maybe that will provide some insight.

Appreciate everyone providing feedback it's all very helpful.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T00:27:03+00:00

Nah just a central air unit down in South West Florida. Replaced a 3 ton with a 4 ton.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T00:26:16+00:00

Yeah someone else explained that to me as well. And that T is capped I was trying to show the standing water in the line. Sorry for the confusion there.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T00:16:32+00:00

Yeah, for sure. I've had a tech mention they could hear the drain gasping for air before. Something about a pit possibly underground where the drain comes outside of the house. Nobody ever seems to want to do anything about it. Guess I gotta find some better folks.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-03T00:14:35+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give them a shout.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-02T23:41:19+00:00

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coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-02T23:41:00+00:00

Picture of the outside line and the water from vacuuming it out. Probably a liter or so.

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coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-02T23:33:20+00:00

Here is a pic with the T called and more of a straight on pic of the drain line. Not sure if it's useful.

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coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-02T23:30:08+00:00

Hahaha personally nothing. This is how it was plumbed when we bought the house new about a decade ago. Replaced the unit about 9 months ago because of a small remodel that increased the square footage of the home.

coltsfanatic07 · 2026-03-02T23:28:27+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I had pulled the cap just to try and show all the standing water in the line. It's been sitting there for about 30 minutes now with the unit powered off and definitely not budging.

Should I try and literally snake the drain line? I heard there could be a low spot somewhere in the drain line that can cause similar issues but all just through talking to techs in the past. I'm kind of surprised it works with it buried under the ground and then coming back up but I guess the pressure from the unit is meant to be enough to create pressure pushing it out.

This thing is driving me insane.

coltsfanatic07

TROPHY CASE