Limestone Neutralizer for Boiler Condensate?

I was watching Ask This Old House this morning.

They installed a high efficiency combo boiler and WH, a neat little unit that hung on the wall. Rich pointed out the condensate pump and the Limestone Neutralizer cartridge stating that the condensate water can be acidic. He noted that the pump sends the condensate to the sink.

Why do we have to be concerned about acidic condensate going down a sink drain? Could it be septic tank related? They didn't say anything about a septic system.

Reply to
DerbyDad03
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It will eat the old cement tanks. I got mine going direct into floor drain, but some day I will disconnect the pump and reservoir.

Greg

Reply to
gregz

I would think it matters if you have metal drain pipes as it will eat them away over time from the carbonic acid. Local regulations may also prohibit drain water with a pH that is out of normal bounds. but in a sink drain it will be diluted quite a bit in most homes..

Reply to
Ed Pawlowski

I have cast iron pipes under the slab. Fiberglass sink and PVC drain from sink to slab.

Should I be concerned about my cast iron pipes that the condensate has been draining into for about 6 years?

Reply to
DerbyDad03

Probably not. I don't know how much condensate goes down there, but every time you run the sink, wash dishes, flush the toilet, it is getting washed down and diluted. But I'm not an expert on drain pipes.

At work the condensate lines do corrode out after some years of use, but they get gallons of condensate about 16 hours a day.

Reply to
Ed Pawlowski

These boilers are very common in Europe.In fact the only sort you can buy. The reason is that some times when no drain is available they leave the condensate just dribble out onto whatever is beneath.

If it happens to be concrete, it will corrode it away or mark it badly.

Reply to
harry

It depends what else goes down the drain and how much. If the condensate is sufficiently/washed away/diluted it's not a problem. It is not a strong acid anyway.

Reply to
harry

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