Plumbing Vent Pipe Tip

[Skorlang]

What was Ohio using, the IPC?

[AsktheBuilder]

@Skorlang Beats me....... Besides large cities like Cincinnati where I was licensed can modify and change the code to their liking. Many local governments modify the codes.

[Skorlang]

Thanks Tim, I knew that. I was responding to midlantic1's post saying you could vent an entire bathroom on an 1 1/2" vent.

[AsktheBuilder]

@Skorlang Not too long ago in Ohio you could do that. It would have to eventually tie into a 3-inch vent or larger before exiting the roof.

[Skorlang]

UPC code requires a 2 " vent on a toilet, therefore an 1 1/2" vent is inadequate for a bathroom.

[AsktheBuilder]

@Skorlang Correct, but if you're venting each fixture separately then tying into a larger vent, you're fine.

[bertacious]

The point was finding a place to tie the vent into to accommodate not moving the shower head. Not the distance from the trap. Those distances are different for several states.

[lenny1114]

wont that big kind high for the water to go up 

[bodyfat2]

Why is there no vapor barrier behind the tile board? Or, is that the back of greenboard?

[midlantic1]

If it's just a lavatory with an 1 1/4" trap you can drin it right into that tub vent, thus making the vent for the tub a wet vent. The code requires us to increase the pipe size by one size, in this case to 1 1/2" which is the size of the vent in the wall. No need to back vent the lavi at all. The national standard code allows us to vent an entire 3 piece bath on an 1 1/2" vent

[JJIVCI]

42" in Chicago for vents.

[wildwoodtop]

How many feet can the air vent stack be from a toilet

[AsktheBuilder]

@wildwoodtop Most jurisdictions here in the USA only permit 36 inches between the toilet and it's vent. There can sometimes be exceptions.

[TheAlanHancock]

@wildwoodtop i may be misunderstanding the question. but i am a plumber here in north carolina and the maximum distance from the toilet to the vent is 12 feet here. It is determined by the trap size. 1-1/2" is 6ft 2"is 8ft and 3" is 12 ft. Hope this helps.

[pbr2424]

@wildwoodtop UPC code 6 feet

[sterr1]

You should have a plumber doing this video.

[AsktheBuilder]

@sterr1 Glad you made that comment. Next video I'll scan my Master Plumber license for you. I was a card-carrying Master Plumber for about 20 years before starting my AsktheBuilder column and website.

[MattyHild]

@AsktheBuilder

-Zing!

[greaterlaplumber]

thank you.

[mmedefarge]

I have drug dealers who live just below me. I heard them fooling around by what I believe is the air vent pipe by the toilet. Since then I get not only feces odors but strong ammonia fumes as well as strong acidic fumes. I've had the health dept., & the fire dept. here but unless they are doing it while they are here, there's nothing they can do. The fumes are quite suffocating. The landlord isn't interested. What could these tenants have possibly done to the plumbing for this to happen?

[beltor333]

Thank you!!!!

[aaron85077]

what is all this business about individual vents for basins and that? in U.K we don't do any of that and we don't have any problems

[69fordgreenmonster]

hey any one know what can cause my hot water to stink?????i have drained the water heater and it dumps dirty filthy black water and the smell becomes less.but lately the smell is very strong and when i drain the heater no black water comes out. its really bad in the hot water any one know???????????????????

[AsktheBuilder]

You could have the wrong anode rod in it. Go to water heater manufacturer websites and read if you need an aluminum or magnesium anode rod.

[elitedonk]

thanks for the videos they help alot im doing my apprenticeship in plumbing at the minute but finding it hard with the recession and what not

[draconigenea]

You may have a bacteria build up in the tank flushing it will only help for a short time.

the tank needs to have a chemical flushed through it.

i advise having a plumber do this since it can contaminate your entire house.

[jeffpicks]

@69fordgreenmonster You probably won't see this... but the first thing I would ask is if you are on city water, or private well water. If you are on well water, the first thing I would look for is high sulfur content in the water, and the presence of SRB (Sulfur Reducing Bacteria) [which isn't a health issue per se, but annoying]. SRB will cause the water to STINK, the hot more than the cold. The BLACK water could well be from high levels of MANGANESE in your water.

[jethromayham]

There are plenty of plumber picture books to get the right idea.

Here in Asia, they don't even know what a close system means and venting.

They are catching up on technology but way behind in plumbing standards.

Lousy plumbing a supplies, i guess they copied Europe too much.

[urkingod]

My plumber from Lakeland, Florida just glued the PVC and one month later my master bed room and my guest bathroom were flooded damaging the entire floor, wall, wasting all my brand new tile/laminate floor and walls as well as all the bath attachments. They never came back to fix it. They were Polk County school board worker.

[bubbabouyi]

our local inspectors from my home town wont even talk to you ..unless you give them a 30 pack.........boozbags

[iamsilverback]

Just a side note to all you weekend warriors...don't run 1 1/2" vent pipe through 2" x 4" studs on a load bearing wall. In this video, he doesn't have to worry about it, but be careful esp. when working on exterior walls.

[AsktheBuilder]

Thanks for the comment. The only thing missing from it is the exception where it's fine to do if you then add the code-approved Simpson Strong-Tie metal wraps that compensate for the lost wood.

[EdwardMarshall1982]

@AsktheBuilder Or if your lazy like me. :) You can always run a studor vent, but keep in mind that they need to be installed under a cabinet and out of the wall. This will give the same aesthetics without having to curse yourself when you have to replace it.

[yumyumsashimi]

if i tap into an exsisting vented sink drain do I still have to vent the new sink?

[AsktheBuilder]

Yes. Furthermore, you need to make sure that sink stack can handle the extra fixture load. Don't know what that means? Look it up or call in a pro.

[russianwol]

I think it's a bit misleading saying that the plumbing code requires that the vent pipe connection to be "right about here" since the connection can be made anywhere higher than original "problematic" location.

[AsktheBuilder]

Thanks for the comment. Sounds like you know a little bit about the topic. I went to your channel and not one plumbing video. How about you take the time to share your plumbing knowledge via some videos?????? Focus your energy on videos rather than the keyboard. :->

[StalkerSwim]

Maybe he's that smart plumber that get's payed to fix plumbing as opposed to teaching others to Do it Themselves. As I have no clue about plumbing besides shit runs down hill and air pushs it through, I appreciate your videos, but respect that other plumbers dont make them!

[iusethisoneforcrap]

convert the copper to pex

[mickles21486]

that 15mm copper pipe in the stud could hav been clipped better, wouldnt be suprised if there was a bit of water hammer

[AsktheBuilder]

Thanks for the suggestion. No water hammer at all in this installation. If you want to know the *real* reasons for water hammer, I urge you to go to my website and read all my past columns on this topic. You might be really surprised as to the cause.

[chuckyregina]

why not just use a cheater vent aka island vent? and before the comments start I am as well a master plumber and I have never had an inspector complain about it as long as it was only serving one fixture

[AsktheBuilder]

In this case it was so easy to tie into the existing vent line. The biggest problem with mechanical vents is they can fail. Traditional vents work all the time unless some idiot drops a tennis ball down the roof pipe. I've installed mechanical vents in an island sink and they are suitable, but no real long-term substitute for a traditional gravity vent. Your mileage may vary.

[uaplumber23]

You are right, that little flapper and spring will eventually wear out leaving you with a sewer smell. Some states they are illegal. In ilinois mechanical vents are against code.

[trader891]

well done.

[westyno6]

the u.k???

thu u.k has some of the worst plumbing in the world...

if you want it done properly... follow Australian Standards...

it's a 6 year course done here... plumbing, drainage and gas fitting.

we don't muck around... we've done all the science

[whitespirit66]

Yeah, you Aussies probably lead the way in plumbing. Everyone's got to find their level. Don't forget that you're mostly descended from convicts, and the plumbing techniques were first pioneered by Brits and Europeans. G'day Sport!

[edwina22]

Yea its so good that you have spiders and snakes living in your pipe lines ready to come up and bite your ass.

[skullfoot]

wow... great info here guys! I'm in my 2nd semester of L.A Trade tech Plumbing. This semester is all codes! I actually understood a bit. Since I studied ch. 1 a week ago In the U.P.C book. thanks ask the builder,I will watch all your videos! best,Jeff

[AsktheBuilder]

Study hard Jeff as we need great plumbers out there. It's a great vocation.

[edwina22]

Im in the uk maybe your ideas are different in the usa. We dont vent every waste pipe as there is no need.

[andrey162000]

every fixture needs to be vented, by code, its pretty standard, im sure in the UK your pipes or fixtures are not so different that you dont need to vent them, wether you like it or not you need to vent every fixture. if its to far away from the main stack, then it needs its own separate vent tied in as well. sucks when sinks and showers make all kinds of funny noises, bubbling and you wonder why.... (aside from keeping traps full of water of course..)

[edwina22]

andrey162000 , im not talking about the usa, and if you dont live in the uk or plumb in the uk then dont comment as yours is different. and if you read my comment i already said the pipes need venting if they are long runs,

[edwina22]

The idea of venting is to allow air into the pipe to stop the waste water sucking out the traps which would allow the smell from the soil to escape into the bathroom. Its normally only done on long runs of the same size pipe.

[AsktheBuilder]

The second part of your comment is incorrect. If you want to really understand plumbing vents, how they work, where they are behind walls, etc. go to my website and read all my past columns about them. I'm a licensed master plumber among other things so you know.

[edwina22]

Well im all ears then, my freind.

[AsktheBuilder]

Uh, you need to be all eyes. You need to go read. :-> My website is not set up to be like books on tape.

[texmexmaniac1]

I've got an easier solution: Just run a trap arm (or dirty arm) off the vent at 18" above the floor and stub out for the lav drain. The plumbing code will allow smaller fixture unit traps to "dump" over larger fixture unit traps. In plumbing terms, we call this "wet venting". It will eliminate the need to run an independent vent for the lavatory. Saves time, money and space.

Steve / master plumber

[AsktheBuilder]

You can't assume wet venting is permitted in all states. For many, many years it was prohibited in Kentucky.

[texmexmaniac1]

Fair enough. I'm all for proper installation and your solution is the most stringent in this situation.  One that I would agree with................ For the person that would go the extra mile, checking with State and local codes would benefit someone on knowing if an installation is legal or not.

[SNW9MM]

y is venting needed thks

[AsktheBuilder]

To replace the air in the drain pipes that's pushed away by the rushing water. Go to my website and read all my past columns about Plumbing Vent Pipes.

[lti12]

One more thing, I don't care how much the video cost, I will buy it. Well as long as it is not more then $3,000. Thats how much it would cost me extra if I hire a plumber instead of doing it myself. Please help me out. Thanks

[AsktheBuilder]

As I said, go to my website and read my past plumbing columns. This is not an easy task, and you need some specialized tools. Then there are the mandatory inspections. Go get a code book from your local inspector and start reading it. That will help you see how complicated much of this can be.

[lti12]

Hi Tim, I went to your website, Couldn't find ant articles on Plumbing. I found a couple of vary short videos on it. But no articles.

I'll suggest you make your videos longer and in more detail

[AsktheBuilder]

Wow! I just went there, typed plumbing in my search engine and BAM! Nearly 100 search results showed up, with two of them being category pages - Plumbing Design and Plumbing Supplies. You might want to go back.

[lti12]

Hallo ask the builder, I am building my first home and I would vary much want to do plumbing myself. The problem is that I have never done plumbing before. Do you know of any Videos I might get which show he how to do rough plumbing? I searched Google, couldn't find any. I also searched Youtube and all Youtube had was how to install a toilet or a sink, nothing on how to do rough plumbing in your entire house. Do you know any videos that go through step by step, and also explain codes?

thanks...

[AsktheBuilder]

You need to go to my website and read ALL of my plumbing installation columns.... That will be a big help to you.

[redbyrne04]

it takes years of practice to do it trust me call a pro

will save you in the long run

[texmexmaniac1]

Hello. I don't know what state you are in, but most states prohibit the installation of plumbing systems from someone who is not licensed. It is a very serious and dangerous task that need to be handled by a professional.....

[AsktheBuilder]

Steve, I have to disagree with you until you provide the documentation to prove your statement. *Many* states allow homeowners to do their own plumbing. What you're saying is that the average person can't go do plumbing for others without a license. The person clearly stated this was an owner-occupied situation.

Tim - Master Plumber

[texmexmaniac1]

Again, checking with State and Local codes will determine if the homeowner has the right to undertake such a task.

The Uniform plumbing code clearly states in Chapter 1 Administration; Section 103.1.1 of permit requiring for plumbing installations. The protection of the public health, safety and welfare from potentially dangerous results from improper plumbing situations is the utmost importance. Only experience licensed plumbing contractors are properly trained to install such plumbing...

[AsktheBuilder]

Steve, you forgot to add that local governments reserve the right to *modify*, ignore, or adopt as stated both the Uniform Plumbing Code as well as International Residential Code. I'm not trying to fight with you, I just want people to realize that many, many locations allow homeowners to do their own work as long as they take out a permit and get the proper inspections.

[texmexmaniac1]

Fair enough. I agree with that statement as well. Many municipalities allow the homeowner to do their own work...... Is it safe? In most cases, it might be since the Jurisdictional Authority has to inspect the installation anyway. Just trying to give my two cents in for good general tips.

[LUNA71CHEVY]

Mr. ask the builder great video .you are a lot better than a lot of other how to guys on youtube.I'm a plumber in Phoenix and i like to see how other people do plumbing repairs and installs.normally they give wrong information or scary how to tips but you are the best I've seen on youtube.one more thing here in Phx they call a island vent a Boston loop do you know why?

[AsktheBuilder]

Thanks for your kind words. They sure help temper the disparaging comments made by some others. I encourage you to start loading some of your own videos, as I would love to learn from you! As for that Boston loop, all I can say to do is Google the term and see if anything is written about it. I'll go try to do that now.

[jaykob85]

mr. "Ask the builder" what state are you in?

[AsktheBuilder]

Well, I used to be in Ohio, but now am in New Hampshire. Where are you? I went to your channel and you are invisible. Jaykob85, you seem to know a little about plumbing. I went to your channel and there are no videos of yourself sharing your knowledge. Instead of spending all this time making comments on other people's videos, how about investing that time making your videos so we can comment about your techniques?

[ssical]

you can go from 42" an above.(in california) or if you have an attic you can just hook it up there. you would only have to drill one

1"1/2" hole instead of 2.a wet vent wont pass inpection here.

[lovextacy]

why dnt you just put in as a auto vent

[AsktheBuilder]

I don't understand your comment at all. If you mean a mechanical vent, I prefer to use a natural vent whenever possible. A mechanical vent can malfunction.

[BAMABALLER13]

Tim entertaining videos. Do you have any for rough framing for doors or windows ? Keep up the good work.

[AsktheBuilder]

I don't now, but will soon. I have a huge project it the works that will chronicle the construction of a house from start to finish. Hundreds of new videos are planned.

[BAMABALLER13]

Great tip. My friend told me about your videos on you tube . Nice work. Have you ever vented a free standing bar before ? By free standing i mean a bar that is away from any walls . the drain goes under a concrete slab into ejector box. The previous contractor never hooked up a vent line to the drain. Would i have remove the concrete and do a island type venting system?

[AsktheBuilder]

Yes. I have done that on occasion. The code sometimes calls them loop or island vents. Grab a copy of a code book from a plumber to see it. It is impossible to describe in this space.

[EJW1]

This is a perfect example of why we need a 50 state code. That could be wet vented and work fine.

[AsktheBuilder]

Get a group of drain-cleaning plumbers together and they will lobby hard against many of the wet-vent proposals. Gunk from other upstream fixtures has clogged many a downstream one in wet-vented setups. I am not saying all setups are bad...... I have two code-approved wet vent situations in my own home.

[BRADADAVIS]

Tim, next time just WET VENT the "shower" w/ the lav! You could have just cut a san tee into the showers vent and angled it out into the lav cabinet and saved massive amounts of work? Even if you had to up size the showers vent to meet code it would still be less work! The lavatory is a 1.25" waste yes? You need to kick the size of the wet vented fixture up a notch yes? Step back and look! The're usually easier ways! BTW, where are the clean outs AND you need to cut in H & C

h2o lines to so...

[AsktheBuilder]

You better get out your code book my friend. Not all places allow wet venting. I suggest you start taping videos of your own to share all of the knowledge you seem to have. I went to your channel and there are no plumbing videos at all.

[Electrotime]

what happens if the copper pipe goes all the way up the ciling?

[Bretmd94]

the copper line is the riser for the Shower head from the shower valve. It will only go up to the shower head. If there is an overhead shower head you can really cut the copper and use some 45's to get around the pipe. The vent will be 1-1/2" size as long as its not a toilet vent and you should easily be about to fit both the vent pipe and 1/2" copper pipe in a standard 2x4 wall. I have fit 1/2" copper around a 2" pipe even, but its real tight.

[Electrotime]

hows the water supossed to flow up the pipe?

[AsktheBuilder]

It doesn't....... Air travels down the pipe from the roof. You should go to my website and read all about vent pipes to learn what they are for. You will be amazed at what you discover.

[Electrotime]

wheres the sink drain into if that pipes in the way?

[AsktheBuilder]

Go watch it again......... Pay attention at 18 seconds into the video........

[zakzak000]

Common sense is great!