Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    susannowlin's Avatar
    susannowlin Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 26, 2007, 05:59 AM
    Why drain vents?
    Re-submitted under new user id. Sorry.
    If the trap stops the fumes why do you need to vent drains? Will they run slow? Why? It's not like a vacumn is forming in the line. I know it's the code but why?
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Feb 26, 2007, 06:31 AM
    The fumes need to go somewhere. The trap stops them from coming up through the sink, but they still need an outlet.
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 26, 2007, 07:34 AM
    Turn a coke bottle upside down and pour. If it does not get air it does not drain well. You do not want that situation in your house.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Feb 26, 2007, 07:39 AM
    There is only one way to prevent sewer gas fron escaping from a local vent that terminates inside a wall. This is a mechanical vent that is spring loaded so that it lets air in to vent but stops sewer gas from getting out. This vent is called a Studor Vent. A plumbing drainage system has traps on each fixture. These traps keep sewer gas from escaping into your house. On a unvented system the water draining sets up a suction that syphons the water out of the trap letting sewer gas out into your house. I have tried to explain how vents work and the different kinds. You asked how important venting is. Vents are necessary for a plumbing system to function. Cheers, Tom
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #5

    Feb 26, 2007, 08:27 AM
    A vacuum does form and it can siphon water from the trap if not vented properly.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Why are there vents? [ 1 Answers ]

:confused: Okay, it looks like moving the toilet is way beyond my diy skills right now. So I am back to the original plan of just moving the supply lines. Ripping the drywall off has revealed even more interesting things. The cold water pipe looks like that mousetrap game with more turns than a...

Sewer Vents [ 1 Answers ]

I have a new home on a conventinal septic system/leach filed with a grinder pump. I have noticed sewer smells in the basement in the past and now the smell has moved to under the kitchen sink, and I do see a vent pipe here. We have rough plumbing in the basement for an future bathroom/shower. There...

Vents at ceiling [ 3 Answers ]

Ok don't want to sound stupid here but we have cold air returns at the bottom of the walls and vents at the top that you can open or close, when should you have these open or closed?

View more questions Search