Secondary drain line plugged w/insulation material, caused

I’m on an HOA board of condos here in CA. This time last year, one of our unit owners reported that his ac was not cooling properly, so he contacted a licensed appliance tech that he knew who could service it. The owner also told the tech that an excessive amount of water was coming out of the ac’s secondary drain pipe outside his front door. The tech’s receipt says “cleaned evaporator coils” and “cleaned drain line.” Since that time, the unit owner said no more water came out of that exterior drain line and his ac appeared to be cooling properly.

Last week, I get a call from the owner saying that his unit is flooding from water coming out the bottom of his ac. I called a plumber who cleared the primary condensate line and THEN the plumber discovered (and photographed) what looked like “insulation material” that he says “someone plugged into the secondary drain line.” He said when he opened the pipe, that’s where he found it lodged inside.

The HOA is now looking at bearing the expense of replacing that entire unit’s hardwood floors. If we can prove that this tech plugged that secondary drain, maybe we can get him to bear some of this expense? But why would he do that? Do some people really not understand the need for that secondary line?

Any suggestions on how to go about proving that would be greatly appreciated. Note: The only one with access to this ac over the past year was this tech who performed the requested repairs.

If anyone can help, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Doesn’t sound like the Air Handler sits in a auxiliary pan with a safety switch or it does sit in a auxiliary pan but without a safety switch. Why does the HO call a appliance Tech. and not a HVAC Contractor. Is the equipment/residence still under a labor warranty as why did they call you and you sent a plumber, instead of them calling a plumber or HVAC Contractor.

Sounds like other issues as you mentioned the plumber cleaning the primary drain line, as reading it the appliance Tech. friend did that prior?

Typically a safety shutoff switch is also mounted on the auxiliary ( secondary ) drain line.

Where is the Air Handler located, is the configuration a upflow or horizontal orientation if so is there a pan under the unit?

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