One of my "to do" items is to install a trap seal primer to replenish my Laundry and Boiler Condensate traps, both of which are in the boiler room, so I am led to understand that they're prone to drying out. Ok, gotcha, I'm down with that.
So I've got a dandy Mifab MR-500, and I've got my usual list of questions.
1. Does it matter if I connect it on a line serving a single, highly used kitchen faucet? The main cold water supply line to the boiler is a closer run and terminates nearby. Will pressure drop further back on the line register here at the end of the line, or does this function require water to be flowing past the Tee where the Mifab is connected?
2. Air Gap: Mifab makes one, but not for the reason I expected. They say it's to allow backflow to escape and not re-enter the clean water supply. I see it as helpful to allow the "squirt" of water to flow down to the trap, essentially acting as a vent.
3. Distribution Unit: I need one, since I'm feeding two traps. But does the air gap go on top of the distribution unit? Or do I need two air gaps, one under each of the two ports exiting the distribution unit? Both the Distribution Unit and the Air Gap are shown in Mifab's literature, but not used together.
4. Connections to Drain: For the condensate line, I'm just planning on Tee-ing in to the 1/2" PVC where it feeds into the trap. For the laundry, the plan is to install a Wye at the top of the laundry drain pipe, up near the top near where it connects to the box, and reducing the Wye to 1/2" to connect to the primer. I guess I just feel a little weird connecting water lines directly to drains; is this how it's done?
5. Should I NOT use a 1/2" copper check valve as backflow prevention? This was my first inclination, but I can't find any examples of anybody recommending this. Do these check valves require a certain amount of water pressure to operate in the desired "Flow" direction, effectively blocking the squirt of water sprayed out by the trap primer?
As always, thanks for any and all input -- it's much appreciated.
So I've got a dandy Mifab MR-500, and I've got my usual list of questions.
1. Does it matter if I connect it on a line serving a single, highly used kitchen faucet? The main cold water supply line to the boiler is a closer run and terminates nearby. Will pressure drop further back on the line register here at the end of the line, or does this function require water to be flowing past the Tee where the Mifab is connected?
2. Air Gap: Mifab makes one, but not for the reason I expected. They say it's to allow backflow to escape and not re-enter the clean water supply. I see it as helpful to allow the "squirt" of water to flow down to the trap, essentially acting as a vent.
3. Distribution Unit: I need one, since I'm feeding two traps. But does the air gap go on top of the distribution unit? Or do I need two air gaps, one under each of the two ports exiting the distribution unit? Both the Distribution Unit and the Air Gap are shown in Mifab's literature, but not used together.
4. Connections to Drain: For the condensate line, I'm just planning on Tee-ing in to the 1/2" PVC where it feeds into the trap. For the laundry, the plan is to install a Wye at the top of the laundry drain pipe, up near the top near where it connects to the box, and reducing the Wye to 1/2" to connect to the primer. I guess I just feel a little weird connecting water lines directly to drains; is this how it's done?
5. Should I NOT use a 1/2" copper check valve as backflow prevention? This was my first inclination, but I can't find any examples of anybody recommending this. Do these check valves require a certain amount of water pressure to operate in the desired "Flow" direction, effectively blocking the squirt of water sprayed out by the trap primer?
As always, thanks for any and all input -- it's much appreciated.