Hey guys,

First post so go easy here! This community looks like it has a lot of really knowledgeable people with some great, unbiased answers, so would definitely appreciate some help!

I am in an old, colonial house (50+ years old) that has a 1/F Kitchen sink that is NOT vented. I don't know if there is a 'trap' below the sink, but I do know when it gets full / clogged, it does make the 'gurgling' sound characteristic of an unvented sink. A plumber came by and confirmed that he believes we do not have a vent on the sink. However, we have not experienced toxic / sewage gasses that so many people speak of and the sink does not smell as I've read about online

However, I am interested in putting in a dishwasher and disposal into the unit.

My question is this: do I need to put a vent in in order for these appliances to work right? The addition of a vent to our ventless kitchen would add several thousand dolllars to the project and, as the plumber says, turn this from a 'manageable' project into a 'major' one.

A couple questions:
Does anyone have experience with seeing / having dishwashers /disposals that remain NON-vented and function properly? Will a non-vented ktichen necessarily and eventually clog with the additional food waste of a disposal / dishwasher? Or, would I be OK installing the appliances on a non-vented kitchen no problem?

Thanks in advance!

They have vents that go on top of a sink. Where a soap dispenser may go. It hooks directly to the sink. So there are no additions to make as far as outside venting. That sounds like your best option.

My question is this: do i need to put a vent in in order for these appliances to work right? The addition of a vent to our ventless kitchen would add several thousand dolllars to the project and, as the plumber says, turn this from a 'manageable' project into a 'major' one.
Your plumber wants to run a vent out the roof. I have a much less expensive way. Plan on venting the sink.
If you have this under your sink,(see image) you aren't vented. However, if you add a AAV.( air admittance vent)such as pictured yore sink will be vented. Do you need directions on how to install your dishwasher? Good luck, Tom

Hey guys -

Thanks for the fantastically fast answers! So it sounds like definitely NOT running a whole new vent, and breaking open walls, etc. is the better idea. Whew!

A plumber just got out of here and recommended we did NOT Install a run-up vent on the entire house, as opening up walls, etc. would be significant amounts of work.

He recommended the following, and I wanted to run it by you guys first! He suggested NOT breaking open walls for a vent, but doing the following:

a) adding a 'provent' somewhere below the house
b) increasing the size of the drain from 1.5" to 2" (to handle increased amount of food waste)

What is the AAV, and is that the same as a provent?

AAV (Air Admittance Vent) and Pro-Vent is the same thing - only different terminology. Do not install AAV under the house - but install it under the sink. Upgrading sink drain to 2" is always good idea. In my area, 2" vent is required for kitchen sinks.