Plumbing Vent Terminates In Garage?

[Robert Autrey]

I did an inspection today at an older (1950) home. The original cast iron sanitary sewer pipe has been replaced with PVC. I see this quite a lot. However, what I do not see a lot is a vent stack terminated in the attached garage. The owner told me that the plumbing contractor who did the sewer re-route said it was okay to do this because of the "filter" that is in place at the top of the vent. Now, I don't look at a lot of old homes so this is a new one on me. Is anybody familiar with this? Can this be kosher?

[Ron Bibler]

I did an inspection today at an older (1950) home. The original cast iron sanitary sewer pipe has been replaced with PVC. I see this quite a lot. However, what I do not see a lot is a vent stack terminated in the attached garage. The owner told me that the plumbing contractor who did the sewer re-route said it was okay to do this because of the "filter" that is in place at the top of the vent. Now, I don't look at a lot of old homes so this is a new one on me. Is anybody familiar with this? Can this be kosher?

I like your choice of words ( kosher? ) Did you smell the top of the pipe:D

Pew.....:eek: I had one just like that the other day...

I don't think so...

Best

Ron

[Robert Autrey]

Did you smell the top of the pipe:D

Pew.....:eek:

I did not.

But, but, but, yours didn't have the filter!

[Ron Bibler]

I did not.

But, but, but, yours didn't have the filter!

Thats because it was not a ( kosher? ) vent.:D L.O.L.

Best

Ron

[Ron Hasil]

Filter or no filter, it is not correct.

[Scott Patterson]

I did an inspection today at an older (1950) home. The original cast iron sanitary sewer pipe has been replaced with PVC. I see this quite a lot. However, what I do not see a lot is a vent stack terminated in the attached garage. The owner told me that the plumbing contractor who did the sewer re-route said it was okay to do this because of the "filter" that is in place at the top of the vent. Now, I don't look at a lot of old homes so this is a new one on me. Is anybody familiar with this? Can this be kosher?

That is not a filter! It is a mechanical vent. Mechanical vents are not allowed in residential construction, but they could use an air admittance valve or an AAV.

The AAV is permitted for use in this type of situation as long as the home has one vent that goes to the exterior of the home.

The mechanical vents are black ABS plastic and the AAV will be tan or white in color. One brand of an AAV would be a Studor Vent.

[Robert Autrey]

That is not a filter! It is a mechanical vent. Mechanical vents are not allowed in residential construction, but they could use an air admittance valve or an AAV.

The AAV is permitted for use in this type of situation as long as the home has one vent that goes to the exterior of the home.

The mechanical vents are black ABS plastic and the AAV will be tan or white in color. One brand of an AAV would be a Studor Vent.

Well? I read up in my IRC to discover essentially what you're telling me. Although, I wasn't completely sure I was understanding it correctly. Thanks for your response.

You're right, this one was black and appeared to be black ABS (shiny black plastic). The seller (a company doing flips) had their super there during the inspection and he swore to me that, not only did the plumbing contractor say it was good, but the city plumbing inspector allegedly told this fellow it was proper.

Oh well? I didn't call it. I may have been wrong it that based upon what you're saying, but I'm not too concerned about it since it is in an attached garage that is completely separated from the house with a drywall partition to the roof deck, has no ceiling, and is well ventilated with gable vents. I doubt it will ever become an issue.

[Ron Hasil]

Well it is an issue. Even if they replace it with an AAV it still an issue, it is not easly accasable for service. Also if its the only vent for the whole house (none going to the roof) its an issue.

[Scott Patterson]

Well? I read up in my IRC to discover essentially what you're telling me. Although, I wasn't completely sure I was understanding it correctly. Thanks for your response.

You're right, this one was black and appeared to be black ABS (shiny black plastic). The seller (a company doing flips) had their super there during the inspection and he swore to me that, not only did the plumbing contractor say it was good, but the city plumbing inspector allegedly told this fellow it was proper.

Oh well? I didn't call it. I may have been wrong it that based upon what you're saying, but I'm not too concerned about it since it is in an attached garage that is completely separated from the house with a drywall partition to the roof deck, has no ceiling, and is well ventilated with gable vents. I doubt it will ever become an issue.

Probably won't be an issue, but you never know. It wrong so, you might want to consider adding an adendum to your report. I do it a few times a year when I discover something after I have finished the report.

The deal is that the mechanical vent is approved for use in manufactured housing and not in residental construction. When the mechanical vent fails it fails in the open postion. The AAV fails in the closed postion.

Cost is a big reason that we find the mechanical vents, they cost less than $10 and the AAV's cost around $30+. Another reason is ignorance of their proper use.

[Jerry Peck]

Well it is an issue. Even if they replace it with an AAV it still an issue, it is not easly accasable for service. Also if its the only vent for the whole house (none going to the roof) its an issue.

I agree with Ron ... IT IS "an issue" for both the reasons Ron said, however, you may never hear about it, and in that sense it is not an issue for you - just an issue for your client.

Besides, when they go to sell and their buyer's inspector writes it up, it may become "an issue for you" then. :)

[James Vincent]

Nothing like a little Aroma Therapy :D