My son lives in a newer apartment and his AC drains into the shower leaving a red stained tub.
It only drips in summer when the AC is running, never an issue in winter. He booked the maintenance call and the guy told him it was because his AC filter was dirty. That was BS! We have replaced the AC filter every three months with the $15 filters. Anyone have a suggestion as to what we can do to correct the problem?
Wish I had taken pics to post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Shouldn't the apartment be replacing the filter ?

That drain is secondary. Primary is plugged and apartment complex needs to clear it. Pics and document communication. Go to the complex office, not just maintenance.

Also, the "red stain" is algae/microbes build up. That is 100% NOT from a dirty filter.

Red stain usually means the iron in the water supply has oxidized. Is the red stain only in the shower from the AC drip?

How on earth is, even a secondary drain, getting into the physical tub? The secondary should be draining outside. Is the drain pipe penetrating the ceiling?

I mean, the normal drain typically drains to a sink, coming out of the wall.

Sounds like this is a perpetual drip into the shower.

Kenneth_2003 said:

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How on earth is, even a secondary drain, getting into the physical tub? The secondary should be draining outside. Is the drain pipe penetrating the ceiling?

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Doesn't seem too strange to me that an apartment secondary drain would drain into the shower or bath tub vs outside so a tenant would actually see it.

htxag09 said:

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Kenneth_2003 said:

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How on earth is, even a secondary drain, getting into the physical tub? The secondary should be draining outside. Is the drain pipe penetrating the ceiling?

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Doesn't seem too strange to me that an apartment secondary drain would drain into the shower or bath tub vs outside so a tenant would actually see it.

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When I was in college I had this exact incident. Secondary drain so tenant would see and report. I luckily didn't have the run around from my maintenance team though.

Good Luck OP.

Have only seen such redneck plumbing to pass older CODEs in older hotel rooms near HOU Medical Center.

1. You/others need to place SlimeOut tabs in the HVAC drain pan ASAP to avoid getting sick; if not accessible, ref. #3

2. Phone call to local Building Official to come inspect, then report if not in compliance with local CODE/ordinances

3. If Manager will not service HVAC (time limit demands unknown - lawyer would know) then hire HVAC service and send bill to Manager (lawyer would know if you even deduct it from rent ... doubt it)

4. Long shot - compressed air up the leaky pipe will try to blow out crud blocking the prime exit drain (doubt it)

Don't do #4.

See my earlier post.

jaggiemaggie said:

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Shouldn't the apartment be replacing the filter ?

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I've never lived in an apartment that changed the AC filter. That was always a tenant responsibility. Has that changed in recent years?

txyaloo said:

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jaggiemaggie said:

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Shouldn't the apartment be replacing the filter ?

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I've never lived in an apartment that changed the AC filter. That was always a tenant responsibility. Has that changed in recent years?

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all the finest luxury apartments change your filters now. Some of the newer ones even wipe your ass for you.

txyaloo said:

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jaggiemaggie said:

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Shouldn't the apartment be replacing the filter ?

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I've never lived in an apartment that changed the AC filter. That was always a tenant responsibility. Has that changed in recent years?

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It's still in all the common leases that are used that it is a tenant responsibility but landlords found out that tenants don't give a ****, so it's easier to keep your HVAC unit running longer by replacing it for the idiot tenants.

Kenneth_2003 said:

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How on earth is, even a secondary drain, getting into the physical tub? The secondary should be draining outside. Is the drain pipe penetrating the ceiling?

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In Bryan College Station its code to drain overflow ac drains into house drain. Normally they use a vent pipe or something. Cant drain it to the outside