View Full Version : Distance from sink drain to vent stack
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 09:47 AM
Plumbing Team;
Currently my double bowl sink is vented under the sink with an AAV, which does not seem to work very well. I am wanting to vent my sink to the outside, but I have a question. Can the vent pipe run at an angle before it goes vertical? (Diagram attached)
Please advise.
ballengerb1
Nov 19, 2009, 09:52 AM
No problem with the angle but you should remove the old AAV. Is it safe to assume that the verticle vent stack reaches up through the roof line?
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 09:54 AM
Yes, it will be vented through the roof to the outside. Thanks for your help.
massplumber2008
Nov 19, 2009, 01:29 PM
Hi Gigdet...
Tell me, if you remove the AAV and try to drain the sink... what happens? Is there an improvement in draining? Does the sink water come up and out of the pipe? Let me know... O.K.?
It could be that your drain pipe is clogged... so let's go one step at a time.
MARK
.
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 01:39 PM
Mark;
Good question. This Tuesday I snaked the drain line completely and it is free of all obstructions.
The AAV was glued in, so I had to cut it off, and now the sink is draining awesome. I am running the sink full blast and it is humming along.
Hope that answers the question.
ballengerb1
Nov 19, 2009, 01:41 PM
Could have been just a stuck AAV. You can install a new one or do a complete vent stack
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 01:44 PM
I just spoke with the plumber who did the install, and he is warrantying the AAV and sending me a new one. So, first I'll try that as you've suggested. If that fails, I'll have to start banging some holes in my roof. :)
ballengerb1
Nov 19, 2009, 01:50 PM
LOL, it should be fine without the banging. Bit surprised he isn't doing the install himself
massplumber2008
Nov 19, 2009, 01:50 PM
Sounds reasonable!
Thank you for the update! Let us know how you make out.
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 01:58 PM
The plumber has actually moved out-of-town for work in the interim since the original install was done. If he was still here, you're right, I'd just have him do the work, and it sounds like he would, no problem.
Thank you so much for all your help.
gigdet1234
Nov 19, 2009, 08:41 PM
Okay team... update.
So I hooked everything back up and low and behold... the drain backed up again. The good news is the AAV works fine, the bad news is the drain line is clogged worse than I thought.
So here are my options.
1. Pay for the town works to come in and roto-root the drain line. ($200)
2. Reroute the drain line over to the main stack. ($50)
Thoughts?
massplumber2008
Nov 20, 2009, 11:32 AM
I would try to snake the drain line out again if I were you... remove the AAV and go through the threaded adapter if you used one. Here, run water down the drain to a point that it almost backs up and out the threaded fitting... use that to churn and wash the drain and sludge up while snaking the drain. Done in this way, when you hit the clog you may hear a clear WOOSH that indicates you hit the main area of blockage... you would work this area back and forth a few times to really clean that baby... ;) If you add a couple "little bends" in the snake before snaking it will cut closer to the wall of the pipe and help to open the clog better.
Rare that you need to repipe all the plumbing due to a clog.
A plumber would be way cheaper than $200.00. To clear a lateral drain line such as this (most of the time).
Otherwise, for the $50.00 I'd repipe it back to the main stack, but please discuss this with us before proceeding. Let us know what fixtures connect to the stack. What, if any fixtures connect into the stack ABOVE the kitchen sink and let us know what material the stack is made of.. O.K.?
MARK
gigdet1234
Nov 20, 2009, 11:38 AM
The stack is made of ABS.
By "above" the kitchen sink do you mean on different floors of the house?
If so, in descending order from the top of the house down (as well as order from top to bottom on stack) it goes like this:
1. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
2. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
3. Toilet (upstairs)
4. Bathtub w/o shower (upstairs)
5. Proposed Kitchen Sink (w/ DW attached)
6. Bathtub w/ shower (same level as kitchen sink)
7. Bathroom sink (same level as kitchen sink)
8. Toilet (same level as kitchen sink)
9. Washer (basement)
Does that make sense?
Sorry... I made an error. The order on the stack is like so (top to bottom):
1. Bathtub w/ shower (same level as kitchen sink)
2. Bathroom sink (same level as kitchen sink)
3. Toilet (same level as kitchen sink)
4. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
5. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
6. Toilet (upstairs)
7. Bathtub w/o shower (upstairs)
8. Proposed Kitchen Sink (w/ DW attached)
9. Washer (basement)
Sorry again... one final edit. The order on the stack is like so (top to bottom):
1. Bathtub w/ shower (same level as kitchen sink)
2. Bathroom sink (same level as kitchen sink)
3. Toilet (same level as kitchen sink)
4. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
5. Bathroom Sink (upstairs)
6. Bathtub w/o shower (upstairs)
7. Toilet (upstairs)
8. Proposed Kitchen Sink (w/ DW attached)
9. Washer (basement)
That's better. Sorry again.
massplumber2008
Nov 20, 2009, 12:18 PM
That's fine... ;) SO it is a bit involved to cut a new fitting into that stack... huh? If you decide to do it, let us know and we will be glad to tell you how to install a fitting into the middle of all that.
Are you considering re-snaking it?
I'm off for now, but will be back later tonight.
MARK
gigdet1234
Nov 20, 2009, 12:42 PM
Upon closer inspection, I may just have a plumber tackle it.
Don't want to mess up the whole house. Thanks for all your help.
Much appreciated.
massplumber2008
Nov 20, 2009, 02:46 PM
Pop back anytime... glad to help!