A few years ago we made the switch to the EZ trap for all of our rooftop installations and for trap retro-fits during servicing. Well, we are finding those are freezing and breaking just as the fabricated PVC ones did. I remember seeing formed rubber traps in the past, does anyone have any history with this? Is there anything else we should be doing with these traps? Maybe I just created a new seasonal entry level position... trap drainer in fall and trap filler in spring? ThankS!
Cure for frozen/broken rooftop condensate traps
mbreen23
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A few years ago we made the switch to the EZ trap for all of our rooftop installations and for trap retro-fits during servicing. Well, we are finding those are freezing and breaking just as the fabricated PVC ones did. I remember seeing formed rubber traps in the past, does anyone have any history with this? Is there anything else we should be doing with these traps? Maybe I just created a new seasonal entry level position... trap drainer in fall and trap filler in spring? ThankS!
I really like that first suggestion, "Relocate the trap to a warm area". I should really move back to Florida! Do you mean pipe around to the South side?
When those freeze and are not glued, will the water push them apart? Some of these installs do not want annual, let alone Spring start ups. I know it's a value builder for a PM contract, but some of those are stubborn.
Thanks for the reply
When those freeze and are not glued, will the water push them apart? Some of these installs do not want annual, let alone Spring start ups. I know it's a value builder for a PM contract, but some of those are stubborn.
Thanks for the reply
The EZ trap is the clear, one piece, pre-formed trap, right? Leaving an end un-glued I don't think will make a difference.
If you make your own trap, and leave one of the 90's on the bottom of the trap un glued, there is a good chance that the pressure from the ice will pop the fitting apart when it freezes, relieving pressure and saving the pipe/fittings, then you just have to pop them back together on your next visit.
If you make your own trap, and leave one of the 90's on the bottom of the trap un glued, there is a good chance that the pressure from the ice will pop the fitting apart when it freezes, relieving pressure and saving the pipe/fittings, then you just have to pop them back together on your next visit.
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We do not glue the trap, pressure fit it only. As part of our fall tune-up or getting the unit prepped for the heating season, we pull, clean, and drain the trap. Usually set the fitting in the control panel. Come spring start-up, we reinstall in preparation for the cooling season.
If per chance we are required to do copper piping, we will add a union to the trap to allow it to be taken apart for cleaning and draining, then reattach.
There was a period a few years back, with Lennox, we would order the condensate trap kit as an accessory to the RTU. They use to have pre-formed heavy rubber hose traps just for this issue, but they no longer off that, either a PVC or Copper kit.
But if you have a customer that never uses you for maintenance and do not know if you will be back before the winter, simply do not glue the trap....either it will pop off before cracking or worse case return in summer and take a minute to throw a 30 cent elbow and some scrap PVC back at it.......or spend money on heat strip if drain is critically located (water damage from condensate), or if you have a unit operating year round, which we have a few.
If per chance we are required to do copper piping, we will add a union to the trap to allow it to be taken apart for cleaning and draining, then reattach.
There was a period a few years back, with Lennox, we would order the condensate trap kit as an accessory to the RTU. They use to have pre-formed heavy rubber hose traps just for this issue, but they no longer off that, either a PVC or Copper kit.
But if you have a customer that never uses you for maintenance and do not know if you will be back before the winter, simply do not glue the trap....either it will pop off before cracking or worse case return in summer and take a minute to throw a 30 cent elbow and some scrap PVC back at it.......or spend money on heat strip if drain is critically located (water damage from condensate), or if you have a unit operating year round, which we have a few.
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