View Full Version : CYV, drip: exterior side front pipes, one black taped, other two smaller white..why d
E Cascade
12-01-2024, 11:59 AM
2, White PVC 1 1/2" pipes at side front. One coming out of house, hanging downward drips occasionally. I think that is OK, as it should be as from AC unit?
Second PVC white pipe 1 1/2" comes a short distance away from 1st pipe and comes up out of ground, maybe 10"and then turns and hangs down too. What is this for?
3rd pipe(s) larger, maybe 2-3" pipes separate come up out of ground about 18", go horizontally a foot or so, and then back down into ground again. This pipe has 2 shut off handles and is wrapped with black wide tape. I can see some white PVC pipe under the plastic. Midway along the horizontal piece it drips fairly regularly, but not fast. Don't usually see it, but can touch it and it is wet. What is this for and why dripping?
Any ideas and why wrapped in black tape? It's definitely before my electric meters on the wall after that. Thanks for ideas and help.
retiredguy123
12-01-2024, 12:10 PM
The first pipe is probably the AC condensate drain line and it should only drip when the AC unit is running. The second pipe is probably from the water heater drain pan that will only drip when you have a leak in your water heater and there is water in the drain pan. The third pipe "may" be an incomplete or removed irrigation system filter, but that is just a guess.
Topspinmo
12-01-2024, 12:42 PM
Pictures would be nice also with style, age, and what area you’ve in. 123 maybe right, but I would be guessing along with him not knowing difference in different areas and styles of CYV. The. A/C drain Should be located next to outside unit cause it usually in same tube as refrigerant lines run through. Depend on how hot and humid determines amount of dripping. IMO that only line that should be dripping. Can’t explain the black tape outer than somebody might tried to insulate it from cold or tried to stop leak? The water heater drain should be close to water heater ran through outside wall as 123 explained it leak occurs it would therefore rout it outside if not plugged up? Guessing the other white pvc might be irrigation lines?
smurphy
12-01-2024, 12:47 PM
2, White PVC 1 1/2" pipes at side front. One coming out of house, hanging downward drips occasionally. I think that is OK, as it should be as from AC unit?
Second PVC white pipe 1 1/2" comes a short distance away from 1st pipe and comes up out of ground, maybe 10"and then turns and hangs down too. What is this for?
3rd pipe(s) larger, maybe 2-3" pipes separate come up out of ground about 18", go horizontally a foot or so, and then back down into ground again. This pipe has 2 shut off handles and is wrapped with black wide tape. I can see some white PVC pipe under the plastic. Midway along the horizontal piece it drips fairly regularly, but not fast. Don't usually see it, but can touch it and it is wet. What is this for and why dripping?
Any ideas and why wrapped in black tape? It's definitely before my electric meters on the wall after that. Thanks for ideas and help.
Photos would help.
#1 sounds like the overflow for the hot water heater. Check the pan underneath the heater for water.
#2 a/c drain.
#3 not sure but likely something that was removed.
Topspinmo
12-01-2024, 01:40 PM
Does any look like these? First photo A/C drain drips anytime A/C running.
Second photo hot water heater drain on outside of house wall
Third photo hot water drain at hot water heater
4th photo potable water irrigation with backflow valve.
MarshBendLover
12-01-2024, 01:41 PM
1 - small pipe running horizontal would be ac cond line
2 - "pipe comes up out of ground, then turns and hangs down"....doesn't sound like any water overflow to me. Normally a pipe in this config would be gas/air release from underground system. Something is being released or set with valve release system like sewer gas.
3 - anybody's guess what they were doing. Possible related to pipe #2.
County records will show you exactly what is there.
retiredguy123
12-01-2024, 01:51 PM
1 - small pipe running horizontal would be ac cond line
2 - "pipe comes up out of ground, then turns and hangs down"....doesn't sound like any water overflow to me. Normally a pipe in this config would be gas/air release from underground system. Something is being released or set with valve release system like sewer gas.
3 - anybody's guess what they were doing. Possible related to pipe #2.
County records will show you exactly what is there.
Regarding your Nos. 1 and 2, I have two pipes that come out of the ground and make a turn toward the ground. One is the AC condensate drain, and the other is the water heater overflow from the water heater drain pan. This is a typical installation. Neither is a valve release.
xdmct
12-02-2024, 05:40 AM
1 - small pipe running horizontal would be ac cond line
2 - "pipe comes up out of ground, then turns and hangs down"....doesn't sound like any water overflow to me. Normally a pipe in this config would be gas/air release from underground system. Something is being released or set with valve release system like sewer gas.
3 - anybody's guess what they were doing. Possible related to pipe #2.
County records will show you exactly what is there.
The 3rd pipe is a backflow protector, more than likely for the irrigation system. Am I safe to assume you only have 1water bill.
Ignatz
12-02-2024, 05:56 AM
As another poster said, pictures would be a big help.
Also is this a new house or a resale?
I’m thinking one is an ac drip line and another may be an irrigation system bypass, maybe for a filter?
Bwanajim
12-02-2024, 07:45 PM
2, White PVC 1 1/2" pipes at side front. One coming out of house, hanging downward drips occasionally. I think that is OK, as it should be as from AC unit?
Second PVC white pipe 1 1/2" comes a short distance away from 1st pipe and comes up out of ground, maybe 10"and then turns and hangs down too.
What is this for?
3rd pipe(s) larger, maybe 2-3" pipes separate come up out of ground about 18", go horizontally a foot or so, and then back down into ground again. This pipe has 2 shut off handles and is wrapped with black wide tape. I can see some white PVC pipe under the plastic. Midway along the horizontal piece it drips fairly regularly, but not fast. Don't usually see it, but can touch it and it is wet. What is this for and why dripping?
Any ideas and why wrapped in black tape? It's definitely before my electric meters on the wall after that. Thanks for ideas and help.
The 1” coming out of ground with the U is probably AC condensation line. Unless you’re AC is on 2nd floor
Rocksnap
12-03-2024, 07:27 AM
The. A/C drain Should be located next to outside unit cause it usually in same tube as
refrigerant lines run through.
Incorrect. My A/C drain is far from the outdoor unit. It really depends where the indoor air handler is in relation to an outside wall. In my case, it drains in the same area as the water heater, water main area.
retiredguy123
12-03-2024, 07:56 AM
The. A/C drain Should be located next to outside unit cause it usually in same tube as
refrigerant lines run through.
Incorrect. My A/C drain is far from the outdoor unit. It really depends where the indoor air handler is in relation to an outside wall. In my case, it drains in the same area as the water heater, water main area.
I agree. My AC drain outlet is not located next to the outside condenser unit, and I don't think it uses the same tube as the refrigerant line.
PugMom
12-03-2024, 08:06 AM
we have a drain like that-it was installed when we got the Pegasus water system. i'd say that's what it is.
retiredguy123
12-03-2024, 08:12 AM
we have a drain like that-it was installed when we got the Pegasus water system. i'd say that's what it is.
If there are only two small pipes, one is for the AC condensate drain and the other is for the water heater drain pan. Some types of water softeners use a backflush cleaning system that occasionally spews water outside the house through a pipe. If you have this type of water softener, you will notice a significant amount of water flowing outside, but only occasionally.
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