Location Where Plumbingt Vent Terminates

**Nick Ostrowski** · 07-21-2013, 01:07 PM

I saw this yesterday at a 20-25 year old house. The first pic shows the round metal vent cover which I wasn't sure of it's purpose until I was in the basement and saw a plumbing vent pipe running to it. It's location to the adjacent front window appears less than 3 feet. The vent is located right behind the red flowers you see in the middle of the 2nd pic.

Does it appear to be too close to the window? Unfortunately I neglected to measure the distance.

**H.G. Watson, Sr.** · 07-21-2013, 01:58 PM

I see at least four full bricks & mortar joints to the outside corner (minimum 7-5/8" + 3/8" mortar joint x 4 = 24" minimum to O/S corner) and another minimum foot around the corner outside corner, and a goodly distance from the garage window, frankly don't understand the concern/question as the wall hosting the termination in quesiton is on a different plane, and is plainly exceeding 3'. What do you mean by 'plumbing vent pipe' and what is it serving? a dewatering system? connecting to sanitary? etc. More concerned about the downspout from the upper roof spilling to the lower one that this unknown terminal.

Whatever this 'terminal' is or isn't, it appears too close to (rock mulch?) grade level and furthermore below the average accumulated snowfall above same for your region.

**Rick Cantrell** · 07-21-2013, 03:21 PM

Do you think it may be a cleanout instead of a vent?

**Nick Ostrowski** · 07-21-2013, 03:45 PM

I suppose it could be a cleanout but the vented cap says vent to me.

**Rick Cantrell** · 07-21-2013, 04:06 PM

I think it's likely a cleanout pipe with the wrong cover on it.

**John Kogel** · 07-21-2013, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski

I suppose it could be a cleanout but the vented cap says vent to me.

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

I think it's likely a cleanout pipe with the wrong cover on it.

If it is indeed a cleanout, the vent stack must go up the wall into the attic then cross over to the back side of the roof. Which might be the case, but whatever it is, it needs a plumber to check it out and repair it.

I don't think I have ever seen a plumbing vent that didn't have enough elevation on it to prevent sewage from running out of it.

**Rick Cantrell** · 07-21-2013, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

If it is indeed a cleanout, the vent stack must go up the wall into the attic then cross over to the back side of the roof.

I do not know of a requirement to have a vent on a cleanout.
I'm still thinking it's an extension for a cleanout with the wrong cover on it.

**John Kogel** · 07-21-2013, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

I do not know of a requirement to have a vent on a cleanout.
I'm still thinking it's an extension for a cleanout with the wrong cover on it.

I wasn't suggesting the cleanout needs a vent. The plumbing fixtures need a vent. There's nothing on this side of the roof, and there are plumbing pipes in the crawlspace in the front corner.

**H.G. Watson, Sr.** · 07-22-2013, 06:57 AM

Are you sure that's plumbing related? Looks like a Central Vacuum System collar (with cap?), not a plumbing vent terminal. Better systems use Sch. 40 PVC for Cent. Vac piping, flow-thru cooling, and exhaust outdoors, esp. if in basement corner closet. Got a closeup pic and/or pic of what you 'saw' downstairs? If the cap is vented could be a suction relief valve relief terminal or an intake for make-up air.

**Rich Goeken** · 08-03-2013, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

I don't think I have ever seen a plumbing vent that didn't have enough elevation on it to prevent sewage from running out of it.

Maybe it's a "Safety Vent". Put there so if the sewer backs up it will come out there first, before it comes out the first floor toilets. Probably gives you about 5 minutes to get excited before it backs out the 1st floor toilets .

**Bob Harper** · 08-03-2013, 06:45 AM

If it is a horizontal DWV vent termination, what is the vent material? I mean, how is the vent stack joined to a metal vent cover? If you have a vent cover that is just screwed to the exterior cladding and no positive seal to the vent pipe itself you have the potential to leak sewer gases back into the home. Is this penetration well caulked with a resilient caulk?

In our area, vents are usually located in the yard where they can breathe but also offer access for plunging with a rubber disc on a 10ft pipe.

© PMA of Georgia 2010 referencing the 2006 IPC:

904.6 Extension through
the wall.
Vent terminals
extending through the
wall shall terminate a
minimum of 10 feet
(3048 mm) from the lot
line and 10 feet (3048
mm) above average
ground level. Vent
terminals shall not
terminate under the
overhang of a structure
with soffit vents. Side
wal
l
vent terminals shal
l
be protected to prevent
birds or rodents from
entering or blocking the
vent opening