General contractor installed HE gas furnace 2 years ago without a drain!!!!!!!!!!

[sfsolar]

We found leaking at the bottom of our gas furnace (95% efficiency) and finally got HVAC company in to inspect. They said there's no drain installed.

There's water damage in the few areas we can see (its installed in a closet) --- any suggestions? rip it out and get someone to install correctly?

We are out of warranty for the GC's work -- but really? WTH -- I mean a professional licensed contractor who couldn't do this right. Any suggestions in the way of our legal rights are happily accepted as well. This was a fully permitted General construction project.

[dsprice]

Did your gc pull permits? Any city or 3rd party inspectors after install?

[jimj]

I would ask is it legal for the GC to do the mechanical( HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing) work in your state. In many it is not.

[sfsolar]

This project was fully permitted and inspected by the city (which isn't saying much.) The work was done by the GC who apparently was clueless. We have discovered that despite the thousands we paid for permits, the city did a poor job of inspecting any of this work. In fact, what they were looking for was mainly structural (will the construction fall down?) And for the rest, such as the furnace install, will it turn on and heat? Then it passes.

We'll spend money out of pocket to get this fixed by an HVAC professional but we're looking at water damage in addition to fixing the shoddy furnace install.

The GC is licensed in the state of CA so we'll also have that to pursue once the repairs have been done.

[hvacvegas]

This project was fully permitted and inspected by the city (which isn't saying much.) The work was done by the GC who apparently was clueless. We have discovered that despite the thousands we paid for permits, the city did a poor job of inspecting any of this work. In fact, what they were looking for was mainly structural (will the construction fall down?) And for the rest, such as the furnace install, will it turn on and heat? Then it passes.

I have a feeling we're not being specific enough with some terms.

If NO drain lines were ran, then it would leak year round, and you would notice the water damage within the first month of so of operation, not 2 years.

If no auxiliary drain line from the auxiliary drain pan was ran, then you have an issue with the furnace leaking water, not that he didn't run a drain.

If you don't even have a drain pan, then were into another set of issues, where he should have installed a drain pan in the closet.

Please be specific, so that we can help you better.

[Strkout499]

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[jpsmith1cm]

Strkout449

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[catmanacman]

just beause something is out of warranty does not mean the gcis not liable for damages im sure he had insurance at the time the job was done and they should cover damages .if you get no joy from the gc you need to seek legal advice .pictures and documentation is very important

[sfsolar]

I have a feeling we're not being specific enough with some terms.

If NO drain lines were ran, then it would leak year round, and you would notice the water damage within the first month of so of operation, not 2 years.

If no auxiliary drain line from the auxiliary drain pan was ran, then you have an issue with the furnace leaking water, not that he didn't run a drain.

If you don't even have a drain pan, then were into another set of issues, where he should have installed a drain pan in the closet.

Please be specific, so that we can help you better.

An HVAC professional informed us today that a HIGH EFFICIENCY furnace produces steam and a little water. The furnace only runs in the winter in our mild climate. This means from MAY - OCTOBER, the furnace does not run and all that leakage was able to dry out. We just happened to have opened the furnace this winter and found the standing water and called the HVAC pro.

There is no drain. There is a steam pipe (for condensation.) Just a steam pipe is not enough for HE furnace. The guy was clueless as to how to install a HE furnace.

[catmanacman]

its not a steam pipe its a exhaust pipe

[pacnw]

pictures might help confirm what is and is not correct.

[dsprice]

I would suggest getting documentation and pictures of the install then calling the gc and give them a chance to make it right in regards to repairs caused by water damage. If he doesn't, your better off asking a lawyer about legal liability. Laws are different city to city, state to state. If the city passed inspection, you might contact them as well. For example, where I live, no drain would not have passed inspection.

[hvacvegas]

An HVAC professional informed us today that a HIGH EFFICIENCY furnace produces steam and a little water. The furnace only runs in the winter in our mild climate. This means from MAY - OCTOBER, the furnace does not run and all that leakage was able to dry out. We just happened to have opened the furnace this winter and found the standing water and called the HVAC pro.

There is no drain. There is a steam pipe (for condensation.) Just a steam pipe is not enough for HE furnace. The guy was clueless as to how to install a HE furnace.

Ok. It sounds like a drain was ran for the air conditioner, but not for the high efficiency furnace.
Due to your mild climate, you have minimal run times. The point I was making about the drain is that 90%'ers drain quite a bit of water, but maybe thats just my climate.

Now, back to the damage to the building. Is there a finished space located below the unit? Such as the unit being located on a second floor?

If so, then an aux drain pan should have been installed to prevent the water damage. That goes not just for the furnace, but for the air conditioning coil located above/downstream of the furnace.

Take pictures and upload them to us so we can take a look too.

By the way, we cannot, and should not offer any specific legal advice.
We can say if something is incorrect, or correct though.