Is there a process to reline a 3/4" copper water line with 90's?

[Steven Rivers]

I have a customer with a high-efficiency condensing furnace in the attic above a third floor, installed with a copper line for the furnace condensate discharge. This line should have been run in PVC, as the combustion exhaust condensate is acidic. The line is inaccessible and buried in the walls or ceilings until it exits on the first-floor exterior. It is not blocked but has developed leaks, likely on the bottom of a horizontal run. The home is a townhouse with a very restrictive HOA that will not allow any alteration to the exterior of the building.

I believe there is a process that does not use a liner but may involve forcing an epoxy or resin product through the line to reline the tubing interior. The product is then blown out with compressed air before it is set. Does anyone know about this?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Install a condensate filter and pump then pump it to a pvc stack in the attic or wherever

 

[Steven Rivers]

Thanks for the suggestion! Yes, I'd hoped to do that, but the waste and vents are all cast iron. Using a neutralizer would help, but that requires periodic maintenance. Years from now, I wouldn't want any liability if there were a failure, as I can't imagine this being an approved solution if a lawyer gets involved. (The original installation was done 12 years ago and passed all inspections, so that company is probably in the clear now.)

Could a long tubing section be threaded through the existing line?

My idea is to use a vacuum at the outlet downstairs, tie a cotton ball (or something else) to a long fishing line, and suck the line from one end to the other. Use that line to pull a strong, fine-link chain through. Then attach the chain to some tubing (the tubing usually used with a condensate pump is probably too stiff), and pull it through the copper tube with mineral oil or other lubricant to help negotiate the turns. I'd do a test run before the attempt and see if 1/4" poly ice maker line tubing would make it through a few bends. The pump has a micro-switch that could break the thermostat wiring circuit if the float senses a failure.

My first idea of using epoxy or resin to reline the pipe was something another company would do, and I could turn this over to them. Over 150 townhomes were built in this subdivision, and this is not their first failure.

 

[Geofd]

Does this condensate all year,could you still thru the siding and cover it with that white plastic covering over it???????

 

[Steven Rivers]

Does this condensate all year,could you still thru the siding and cover it with that white plastic covering over it???????

Thanks for the suggestion! The furnace and AC share this condensate line, so it is used most of the months. The HOA will not allow any exterior changes, as all the units are identical.

 

[Ludington]

HOA. = power-hungry stupidity. I'll never live in one.
Sure I understand some of thier rules... but I read a lot of horror stories about them.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I have bad news for the HOA. They must allow this lady to replace that pipe or the HOA might be responsible for replacing it.

No matter what.


I’d be hiring a lawyer.

 

[cgilley]

I have bad news for the HOA. They must allow this lady to replace that pipe or the HOA might be responsible for replacing it.

No matter what.


I’d be hiring a lawyer.

Pro plumber, code vs. HOA. HOA loses. Every time as it should.

 

[breplum]

Yes there is water pipe relining (at least last time I inquired) and it is ONLY done on major large buildings because it takes so much set up and marshalling. Not worth doing on one-off small potatoes.

 

[Steven Rivers]

Yes there is water pipe relining (at least last time I inquired) and it is ONLY done on major large buildings because it takes so much set up and marshalling. Not worth doing on one-off small potatoes.

Thank you!

I've been waiting for someone who knows about this process. In the early 2000s, I went to a national trade show where a vendor showed me this process. I realize this is an expensive procedure, but there are over 150 townhomes in this subdivision. Whether or not that is too small for a company that does this can be their decision.

Do you remember the process name or anything I can use to research it and call an installer, supplier, or manufacturer? Do you have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[breplum]

LMGTFY. the fact that AI search doesn't come up with many companies doing water supply on residential, I'd venture to say that they mostly are failed and closed.
https://whyrepipe.com/epipe VERY limited (2) locations.
Way more cost-efficient and reliable to run on exterior.
Are you Steve Rivers the old plumber?

 

[Steven Rivers]

LMGTFY. the fact that AI search doesn't come up with many companies doing water supply on residential, I'd venture to say that they mostly are failed and closed.
https://whyrepipe.com/epipe VERY limited (2) locations.
Way more cost-efficient and reliable to run on exterior.
Are you Steve Rivers the old plumber?

ding-ding-ding ... You have won first place with the best answer! Your Googling skills are better than mine, as I couldn't find anything. I can pass this on to the HOA and let them consider another solution.

(Sherlock Holmes has nothing over you, ... and 70 is not old! )

 

[breplum]

ding-ding-ding ... You have won first place with the best answer! Your Googling skills are better than mine, as I couldn't find anything. I can pass this on to the HOA and let them consider another solution.

(Sherlock Holmes has nothing over you, ... and 70 is not old! )

Specifically, Steven Rivers that owned Rivers Plumbing?

 

[Steven Rivers]

Yes, Rivers Plumbing, Heating & Air, still the current owner since 1979.