Is the P-trap included on a new unit?

[cluelessintexas]

We had a new 2.5 ton Payne heat pump/ac system installed last Sept. A couple of days ago, the drain backed up and flooded into the house. I called the company that had installed the unit and was told to take the wet vac and hold the hose to the drain while covering the air tubes extending out of the drain pipe hopefully removing the obstruction. Well, needless to say that didn't work. So I had one of the service techs come out. He didn't find an obstruction but found that the P-trap was at an uphill angle and leveled it out. I am looking at the invoice for the amount of $87.66. Is this a legitimate charge? What the heck is a P-trap and shouldn't it have been installed correctly when they changed out the unit?

[Mr Bill]

What the heck is a P-trap and shouldn't it have been installed correctly when they changed out the unit?


A trap serves a couple purposes one to keep odors from entering your a/c system and another to keep the drain flowing with a good constant flow and yes it should have been installed "especially" if you have an electric heat air handler. You not supposed to post prices "per rules" but that is cheap in my opinion to have a trap installed if that is parts and labor.

[cluelessintexas]

So sorry about the price post. I didn't read the rules very well. I really appreciate your expertise and advice. I know this may sound trivial, but I really want to get this taken care of. I was only charged for the labor to level the P-trap. I have never had any problems with this company and I don't want to appear to be avoiding a legitimate charge, however I don't want to pay for something twice. I'm not sure about the electric heat handler. The unit is electric with a heat pump system so I am assuming that it has an electric heat handler. I recall hearing that term during the installation but I can't say for a fact that it has a heat handler (actually I not really sure what that is). We are obviously not in the heating/cooling business. When I signed on as clueless, I wasn't kidding....
Again, I really appreciate your time and expertise in this matter.

[Daltex]

If the same company that installed it less than 1 year ago is the same that charged you to fix it, I'd be PO'd. Call the company and explain the situation and maybe they'll apply what you paid to a service contract or give a refund.

[smittyii]

if your air handler is in the attic, strange things happen to pvc fittings when the tmp gets above 130-140 degrees. but i agree with daltex, if i had installed it less than a year ago i wouldn't charge for it. it's just the right thing to do for a customer.

[tinknocker service tech]

What happened to your warrenty????????

Insatted in sept and then in may they charge you to fix what may be an install mistake.

something is missing here or just wrong??????????

[beenthere]

Call the company and ask to talk to the service manager or owner.

[wogpa67]

gotta prime a trap thats in a negative pressure. is the trap deep enough, that fan loves to hold that condensate back until tstat is satisfied.

[Mr Bill]

is the trap deep enough

Is this really a question he wants to ask his installers? :eek: :D

[wogpa67]

its in the iom