Hey everyone! I'm dealing with a frustrating issue every summer where a puddle forms underneath the AC drain in my backyard. I'm considering digging a trench that's about 6 feet long and 2 feet deep, sloping it away from the house. The plan is to line the trench with landscape fabric, fill it with rocks, and then cover it with soil.
I'm also wondering if using long drainage tubes surrounded by Styrofoam peanuts would be beneficial for this setup? I noticed there's a gutter drain nearby that I might be able to connect to it too. Any advice or guidance would be super helpful as I try to tackle this. Thanks a bunch!
2 Answers
Your idea of creating a leaching pipe or pit sounds solid! It might seem like a bit much for just a condensate line, but it should work fine. One thing to keep in mind is if you have a downspout discharging within 10 feet of your house, that's another issue you'd want to address—maybe you could run a pipe to divert that water and let the condensate drain into it too.
Before you dig in, check your local hardware store for a drainage tube that fits your AC unit. It’s generally a simple plastic tube that connects with a hose clamp. It’s possible that your original drain line got damaged—maybe it got run over by a mower? Bring a photo of your current drain setup when you go shopping; they can help you find the right part!
Thanks for the heads up! Actually, the current drain is just a 3/4" PVC pipe that doesn’t seem to be broken; it just leaks next to the house and creates a swampy mess.