[quinonest]

A 3/4" drain line is connected between a icemaker and 1-1/2" drain line going to a waste tank. Is a vent line required for the 3/4" drain line at the back of the icemaker?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Quinonest

Yes, a vent is required. Here, instead of an elbow looking straight down into the 1.5" pipe you'll use a TEE fitting and stub a pipe 6 inches up for the vent.

The lower part of the tee fitting stubs down to about an INCH AND A HALF above a 4"x1.5" reducing coupling (or bigger) that should be attached to the 1.5" pipe. This is so the icemaker is NOT directly connected to the drain line....THAT WOULD BE A VERY BAD THING!!

The 1.5" drain needs a trap and a vent of its own, too!

Questions? Let me know, OK?

Mark

[quinonest]

Mark
Is there an e-mail I can send you a sketch of my venting problem?
I do not understand how to apply
The above.

[speedball1]

How do I add pictures and other file types to my post?
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How do I add pictures and other file types to my post?
A. "Attach" files (including pictures) from your computer. This method puts the attached file below the text of the post.
Click on an Ask or Answer button to ask or answer a question
Compose your question or answer in the window.
Under the window where you composed your question or answer is a section called Additional Options.
Click on the Manage Attachments button: a pop-up dialog will open. NOTE: The Manage Attachments dialog lists the maximum sizes of the various types of files that may be attached.
Click the Browse button to navigate to the image on your computer and double click the file on your computer: this will return you to the dialog window.
Click the Upload button.
Click the link to close the dialog window OR repeat numbers 5 & 6 to attach another image.
B. "Embed" image(s) from the internet. This method inserts an image wherever you wish within the text of your post.
Click the Insert Image icon above the posting window: A pop-up asking for the URL will open.
Enter the URL of the image in the field then click the OK button. Good luck, Tom

[massplumber2008]

See if you can post a picture as shown above by Tom.

Also, check out my diagram below... make more sense now?

Mark

[quinonest]

Mark,
Thank you, it makes perfect sense.
Appreciate the help.

[massplumber2008]

You are welcome!

[speedball1]

Hey Mark,
I'm learning new things here, If the OP's draining into a indirect waste why's a vent needed? We don't use a vent on a AC condensate drain which is the same thing.

The lower part of the tee fitting stubs down to about an INCH AND A HALF above a 4"x1.5" reducing coupling (or bigger) that should be attached to the 1.5" pipe

Shouldn't there be a trap under that indirect waste? Where's the 1 1/2" pipe connect to?
Not questioning your solution just want o understand it. Cheers, Tom

[massplumber2008]

Hi Tom

If you reread my first post you'll see that I mentioned that the "The 1.5" drain needs a trap and a vent of its own, too!"...so got that covered, for sure!

Now, in terms of the vent for the ice maker drain, it is something that has always been done for commercial ice maker machines in my area. Here, my guess has always been that the vent helps in many ways:

The vent certainly aids the drain to be "self-scouring", especially aiding drainage when the ice maker DEFROSTS itself.

The vent allows the drain line to be purged/cleaned of scummy build-up ice maker drains are famous for using a hose from both ends of the pipe.

Ice makers can clog from inside, and from outside at the indirect drain line, and that can become a health hazard if not detected (pretty ice cubes up top, yucky scummy water on bottom). An overflow from the vent is almost always the first sign that an issue is present with the ice maker/indirect drain itself. It is also something the owners can usually easily fix by running really hot water through the icemaker itself and the vent.

I figure the biggest difference between the AC condensate and the icemaker condensate is that if any ice gets dirty people get sick... figure here, and I really only say this for the future readers of this thread, the vent is all about getting water on the floor only in this case water on the floor is a good thing!

Mark

[speedball1]

Thanks Mark for your explanation. Since the AC condensate line is basically the same set up does your coder call for a vent on that line also? Just wondering, Tom

[massplumber2008]

As I explained,Tom... I don't see the AC condensate drain and the icemaker condensate drains being very similar at all. You drink the water associated with the icemaker... not with the AC unit... ;)

And no, no vent for AC condensate drains in my area (that I know of.. not my area of expertise, if you will)!

[speedball1]

Thanks again Mark, Tom

[massplumber2008]

Hi Tom

Check it out... apparently some AC drains do have a vent tee! Seems they use the vent tee much like we use it on the ice makers (to wash/clean). Once again, every state does it different, huh?

Interesting stuff,for sure!

Have a great night!

[mygirlsdad77]

This falls more under manufacturer install instruction than local code. We always have a tee vent for ac coil drains. Some mfgs also require a running trap between the coil and vent to keep air from blowing out of the vent or drain when the furnace blower is on. And (at least with the brands we use) there must always be a vent on the drain for evap coils, same as icemakers etc.

[massplumber2008]

Good info. Lee. Makes perfect sense.

Thanks!