Ice maker drain not installed

[Plumb bob]

So riddle me this please. I’m having a house built for me and have an ice maker included on the plans. My builder was aware of the model (Hoshizaki AM 50BAJ) from the start. Halfway thru the build, when the appliances are being delivered, I find out that I get to buy a $400 drain pump because a floor drain was never installed.
I’ve done some research and would like to know if I’m correct in that a floor drain should have been installed during the foundation building phase and that a drain pump is usually used in remodeling because it’s not possible to install a floor drain after the house is built.
Would appreciate any and all opinions on this. thank you!

 

[frodo]

depends


is the make/model of the icemaker is in your contract?

if it is in the contract, it should have a drain
look at your contract with the plumber or builder for a sentence

. something like ''furnish a complete plumbing system''
it is not complete with out the pump,

 

[Plumb bob]

Thanks for the reply.
All appliance models were provided with the plans for a project estimate from the builder. The actual written contract between the builder and myself does not specifically address this issue. Not sure what the contract is between the plumber and builder.

 

[frodo]

sounds like he is on the hook not you
deduct the cost of the pump plus installation from the final bill

 

[Diehard]

I don't totally agree that, "a floor drain should have been installed during the foundation building phase and that a drain pump is usually used in remodeling because it’s not possible to install a floor drain after the house is built."
I see that as a choice. I've seen new construction where condensate pumps were included rather than a floor drain, for various applications, which could go either way.
A floor drain has the added requirement of a trap primer, even for ice makers.

But at the same time I believe the builder is responsible for the over site and its fix. I assume the plumber is working for the builder.

EDIT: Just saw the added comments. Totally agree with frodo

 

[breplum]

It is certainly an oversight/****-up. If your appliance list was in the original bid package, then it is not on you.
All decent plan sets should include cut sheets for every appliance. If the cut sheet indicated a drain, it is not on you.
BTW, I’ve never seen a safely designed ice maker gravity drain that doesn’t want to leak onto a hardwood kitchen floor. Good luck.

 

[Diehard]

It's sort of strange that no one saw that the units literature mentions it has a drain pump as an option, until it was too late.
I worked in an office building where we had similar ice makers in the kitchen areas. They were equipped with (OED's) open equipment drains and trap primers. But I found it necessary to add water to the drain trap periodically due to the the smell problem. Trap primers didn't work properly.

 

[Plumb bob]

Thanks for the replies. This info helps.

 

[Mr_David]

My experience with floor drains in a home is that If you ever have a sewer back up on you,
it's all gonna come up out of that floor drain.
Then you'll wish you had designed it with the pump in the 1st place.

 

[CT18]

All equipment/fixtures and the requirements like water connection and drain connections are included in approved submittals. Did you approve all fixtures and provide the engineer the list to include in the house plans. Any fixture that connects to the drainage or potable water system has to be included in the design/sizing of each system.

 

[Plumb bob]

I can see the disadvantages that a floor drain presents and I’m ok with using a drain pump. Just didn’t like the expensive surprise midway though the build. Wish I had my options presented up front allowing me to make a choice or opt for a different ice maker.
I did present the ice maker model with the architect’s plan to the builder for project bidding. At the time I did not realize an ice maker required a drain system. It’s my first custom home and I looked to my builder to take care of these things.

 

[frodo]

that is referred to as ''chit, I missed it on the bid and had to eat the SOB''

 

[FishScreener]

I would say it’s on the GC, and he can argue with his plumber. I’m experienced in monitoring the work, and would have probably caught it during the rough in.

But I’ve been doing this for nearly forty years now.

I might tell the GC, that it’s either his or the plumbers to buy. But for you it may not be worth starting a battle over. You’re not done yet, and there are lots of ways, the GC can short things to recoup the cost, and it doesn’t sound like you have the skill set to prevent that.

And, the designer probably should have shown it on the plans. I’d probably start with them, as an error and omission if they didn’t. Like you said you are an owner, who has no experience. The designer is a licensed professional, who is expected to know.

 

[breplum]

Make sure that the drain pump is piped properly with an air gap.
Typically, it will need to use the same type of air gap that a dishwasher uses.
In most cases we use a dual inlet air gap.

 

[Plumb bob]

Thanks again for the replies. I respect and welcome everyone’s opinions.
Besides the usual punch list items, the house is finished and C of O issued yesterday. I am contemplating how to address this with my builder.
Per Breplumb, Im not sure what an air gap is but I do know that the drain pump install manual states the pump comes with a built in check valve and not to install any additional check valves. Perhaps this is the same thing?

 

[breplum]

"dual inlet air gap" LMATFY https://smile.amazon.com/d/Dishwash...1548303840&sr=8-1&keywords=dual+inlet+air+gap