How to Connect a Boiler Condensate Drain

Furnace boilers produce water from steam vapor as a byproduct of its operation. The amount of condensate typically increases when the boiler supplies hot water to appliances such as steam radiators. Connecting a drain tube to the boiler is the standard method of diverting the condensate to a household drain. The boiler drain may connect to a pump or directly to the boiler itself.

Adjustable wrench
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off the boiler and wait for the equipment to cool. The boiler usually has a power switch connected on the unit or a nearby wall, or you can shut off the unit at the circuit breaker. For a gas boiler, turn the handle on the lever on the gas valve clockwise to stop fuel flow to the unit.
- 2
  Turn off or unplug the pump if the boiler uses a drain pump near the bottom of the unit on the side. If not, skip this step.
- 3
  Attach the rotating coupler on the drain to the L-shaped drain pipe on the side of the boiler or the outlet on the water pump, if your system uses a pump. Twist the connection clockwise with the adjustable wrench.
- 4
  Route the other end of the drain to the household drain, such as a floor drain in the basement. Connect a flexible hose to the end of the boiler drain pipe, if necessary, to reach the floor drain. Use standard couplers on the garden hose for this connection.
- 5
  Turn on the power for the boiler and any pump connected to the drain.

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