Sink Plug for Blowing Condensate

[youstaycool]

Most condensate lines I need to blow are connected to a sink drain. To prevent a bathroom mess, I need a second person holding the sink stopper in place or duct taping the stopper in place (which I don't trust).

Has anyone seen some type of compression plug for the sink drain that will simplify this procedure?

[Carbonite]

I was going to suggest something like the following:

http://www.drillspot.com/products/558770/cherne_industries_270528_mechanical_pipe_plug

They sell them at places like Home Depot or Lowes- but if the sink has an overflow won't it still come out there? Also- you'd have to remove the pop-up to use this, but perhaps it might help?

[nightranger121]

Not sure if I am understanding what you are trying to do correctly, but would a large trash bag work?

[allan38]

On residential equipment tied in below a sink I ask the home owner for a towel. Explain I'm blowing out the condensate drain and doing so may paint the walls with gunk if the drain isn't covered. I cover the drain and overflow with the towel, have never slimed the room since doing this.

[mrfixinthangz]

I always ask for their nicest towel....just kidding.

[youstaycool]

Carbonite -- exactly what I was looking for but couldn't find. Thanks! And it does seem like the gunk would come out the overflow, but I've never seen it happen -- probably just a matter of time.

Nightranger -- perhaps, but if you're suggesting wrapping the sink, most sinks are not free standing and thus unwrappable; if you're suggesting stuffing the drain with the bag then maybe -- would require some lab experiments ;)

Allan -- sounds like a great idea, but I'm a little skeptical, so just a towel in the sink works huh? If so, I could just stuff one more item on the truck (when will it end?).

[Carbonite]

Good luck and let us know how it works. We use those plugs at work for all sorts of stuff so I am familliar with them. They come in a variety of sizes- If you can't find one small enough the other option i was gonna suggest was a boat plug (you know, the little rubber plugs for smaller boats to let any water out) they're similar- stick in the hole, twist to cinch it up, then flip the handle to lock it in. I know they make those pretty small but maybe they go up to 1" or 1 1/4" (I'm thinking thats about right where you need to be)

As for the little overflow tubes, if they pose an issue you could always temporarily tape them with a bit of duct to keep em quiet!

At work most of our air handlers are in the laundry closet so the line either goes into a floor drain (on the first floor) or alternatively into the laundry stand pipe. I don't have a gallo gun but I am thinking of getting the blow tip and carrying one of those little air tanks that you just recharge. They're like $20 or so at places like Sears and I can easily charge it back up at the shop. Luckily our condensate lines don't foul up too often so it's a rarity.

[nightranger121]

Yeah, I was picturing a totally different scenario. I don't do resi.

[cuchulain]

I hate the lines that go into the sinks like that. We're pushing to get them against code. the ones that we do run into like that we'll take a soaking wet towel and stuff it around the stopper, then put another towel on top of that.

[b26440510]

I hate the lines that go into the sinks like that. We're pushing to get them against code. the ones that we do run into like that we'll take a soaking wet towel and stuff it around the stopper, then put another towel on top of that.

and what is your alternative workaround for these situations?

[marvin]

and what is your alternative workaround for these situations?

just remove the tail piece & clean it properly re assemble &
put back in service ....
no mess & happy customer.

[b26440510]

so what are y'all using to connect the condensate to the lav sink, a 1.25" tailpiece with branch? Those are pretty non-existent around my plumbing supply stores.

http://www.siouxchief.com/Specialties/Sink-And-Lavatory/Major-Tee.KJZQI

[douglask]

yep one of those but pvc with 3/4 barb for side inlet. seen them but never for sale? havn't looked yet hd or lowes..

[b26440510]

hd has the pvc 1.5" tailpiece branches (usually for dishwasher connection), but never seen a 1.25" there.

[douglask]

I think with the right slip joint 1.25 drain goes tite into 1.5 tailpiece.

[koldair]

I used to cut and blow stopped up lines with my Gallo gun... until I heard a pop then noticed that the elbow at the end where it turns down into the wall blew off due to lack of quality installation.

Now I cut and clear with a small shop vac. It works great because I can clear both sides the AHU side and the sink side. NO MESS!!!

[karsthuntr]

Yes I do the same.

or you could use one of these:

http://www.dannylipford.com/images/article/joe-blog-mighty-pump-1.jpg

[Twilly]

Yes I do the same.

or you could use one of these:

http://www.dannylipford.com/images/article/joe-blog-mighty-pump-1.jpg


Twilly has one and HeyBob saw it in Twilly's truck today.

[youstaycool]

Is that called a fallopian pump?

[JTCHVAC]

Is that called a fallopian pump?



http://www.acdrainpump.com/