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View Full Version : Unused washer vent pipe - can it be removed?


seisdatex
Aug 1, 2013, 10:06 AM
I have an older house (1952) that had W/D connections in the garage. Before I bought the house the W/D were moved to a new location in an addition to the house.

I am having an electrical sub panel added in my garage and the logical place to put the sub panel box has the old (galvanized) 2" vent pipe routed to the roof. There is no longer any drain being used that is associated with this vent pipe.

Could I remove and cap the galvanized vent pipe (and fix the roof) to make the needed space for this sub panel? If so, how should it be capped. Thanks.

Jim

massplumber2008
Aug 1, 2013, 10:15 AM
Hi Jim

You certainly can cap the galvanized pipe as long as you do what you said... remove the pipe going through the roof and patch the roof. In other words, you couldn't leave the vent pipe going through the roof and cap it at the base... water would accumulate and potentially create a safety issue with the pipe!

Again, as you suggested, all sounded fine. To cap the pipe, your best bet would be to cut the galvanized pipe and then, if possible, use two wrenches to remove piping back to a threaded fitting (or threaded pipe end). Here, if you can remove the pipe and leave a threaded fitting/pipe end you can purchase a galvanized threaded plug (or cap), some pipe dope and install the plug to the galvi. Fitting.

If you can't remove the pipe back to a threaded fitting or pipe end and cap the pipe then you would want to purchase a SHIELDED rubber coupling, a small piece of PVC pipe and a PVC cap (with PVC primer and cement) and then install the clamp, pipe and cap together onto the galvi. Pipe.

That all make sense?

Mark

seisdatex
Aug 1, 2013, 11:24 AM
Sure does Mark. Thanks!

kwhit190211
Aug 14, 2013, 04:40 AM
Hi Jim

You certainly can cap the galvanized pipe as long as you do what you said....remove the pipe going through the roof and patch the roof. In other words, you couldn't leave the vent pipe going through the roof and cap it at the base...water would accumulate and potentially create a safety issue with the pipe!

Again, as you suggested, all sounded fine. To cap the pipe, your best bet would be to cut the galvanized pipe and then, if possible, use two wrenches to remove piping back to a threaded fitting (or threaded pipe end). Here, if you can remove the pipe and leave a threaded fitting/pipe end you can purchase a galvanized threaded plug (or cap), some pipe dope and install the plug to the galvi. fitting.

If you can't remove the pipe back to a threaded fitting or pipe end and cap the pipe then you would want to purchase a SHIELDED rubber coupling, a small piece of PVC pipe and a PVC cap (with PVC primer and cement) and then install the clamp, pipe and cap together onto the galvi. pipe.

That all make sense??

Mark

Mark, why not just cut the pipe if you can't unscrew it then put a FERNCO cap on it?

massplumber2008
Aug 14, 2013, 04:46 AM
Hi Kwhit

Threaded adapters are always preferred over clamps and fernco (all neoprene) clamps are illegal as permanent caps, so to keep seisdatex from getting any flack from a home inspector down the road I suggested the correct way that a plumber would do it and not a handyman or DIY person... ;)

Mark