I live in upstate New York in an apartment building. The vent pipe on the outside of the house is only 2 feet on the side of the house. We get real bad septic gas smells in our bathtub. My husband and myself don't know the how far on the roof it should go. We do know that it is not proper where it is. If anyone knows out there please let us know right away as our bedroom is right off the bathroom. Thank you

StevesMom- To get the answer to that question you need to #1 call the water and SEWER DEPT. Where you live, The city ,County ,where everand they should be able to give you that answer,Have them to come out and check this out ,( IT SHOULD NOT COST YOU ONE RED PENNY ) And let them lrt the owner know that he is in violation of codes and has so much time before getting a good fine. Also look in the telephone book under state or federal gov. for the 800 number for the ( E P A ) , They will shore come down on him fast > THE sewer vent should stick up above the roof about 12" to 24", Ive even seen where they required 36" above roof . Good Luck & GOD BLESS IF I have helped yopu rate my answer below :::F.B.E.

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Originally Posted by stevesmom

The vent pipe on the outside of the house is only 2 feet on the side of the house.

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Could you explain please. Normally plumbing vents run up through the interior walls of a building and exit through the roof. Is there a pipe that goes up the outside of the building and ends 2 feet above ground? Is that pipe near a window of you bath?

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The vent pipe on the outside of the house is only 2 feet on the side of the house.

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This may be a code violation. Chapter 14, section 1404.4 titled, LOCATION OF VENT TERMINALof The Standard Plumbing Code reads, " No vent terminal from a drainage system shall be located directly beneath any door, window, or any ventilating opening of the building, nor shall any such vent terminal be within10 feet horizontally of such an opening unless it is at least2 feet above the top of such opening."
If you get sewer gas in your apartment this must be rerouted as soon as possible. Good luck, Tom

I am wondering if this is really a vent ( perhaps there is a actual vent on the roof, since I believe all vents have to go above the bottom of the roof line. But could it be a clean out or if on a septic a clean our that just does not have a proper cap on it.