I am planning on moving my washer and dryer to my furnace room. I have a 3" sewer line running along the ceiling ( see photos). To the best of my knowledge the vent is connected to the elbow under the toilet and terminated somewhere in the wall with an AAV. A tub/shower and sink also are on this pipe with Sani tees pointed up. I would like to tie in to this line downstream of the sink Can I use a Wye on its side with a Ptrap than the standpipe.( It would give me ability to install a taller standpipe.) Or do I need to use a sani tee like the other connections? http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UN21Mi56uc4/TQ...tion%20006.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_UN21Mi56uc4/TQ...tion%20007.jpg

Hi Plumbit...

You sure can use a WYE fitting on the side to pick up that washing machine.

In fact, all those sanitary tee fittings are wrong... can't use these on waste lines on horizontal piping. The side inlet elbow at the toilet is also against plumbing code, so if you want to install a WYE fitting then by all means, please do so... will be the only thing up to code... ;)

Now, the AAV in the wall, it should be accessible through an access panel so you can change it out should it fail in the future.

Also, how are you planning to vent the washing machine... another AAV? If so, that is fine here, but again, make sure it is accessible in some way, OK?

Finally, I'd recommend 2" piping, 2" PTRAP and an 1.5" vent. The standpipe should be between 18"-30" if possible. Also, add a 2" cleanout just after the wye fitting just in case you need to clean the drain out in the future... you will appreciate it then, OK?

Questions? Let me know...

Mark

Check with your local inspection dept. They will give you the approved way to install the washer. Code does not allow an AAV to be in a sealed wall; that is probably a main vent pipe to the roof.

Yhanks for the reply massplumber2008, and if I may, I do have some questions. I just bought this house 2 years ago, it was built in 1999 would this current setup have been code then? Should this have been caught in a pre purchase inspection?I am in PA if it matters. Also, should I worry about this now or wait till there's a problem. I have two full baths upstairs and one downstairs( I'm guessing this plumbing is in the concrete though). Based on my observations all fixtures are hooked up with P-traps with the exception of the master shower it's a Ptrap with a street 90 making it an S trap correct? The only problem is I see no VENTS is this possible? We experience no problems as of now.

Oh and as for the vent to the roof, I took a look there are two pipes sticking through the roof and after looking in the attic they appear to be connected to the exhaust fans in each one?

Thanks,
Todd

I added my comment as an answer Sorry

Hi Todd

Tell you what I'd do given the information you have presented... I'd call a local plumbing inspector and ask some questions.

According to you (and your pictures.. ;)), all codes that I know of have been broken... run these standard plumbing codes by the inspector and let me know what he thinks:

No sanitary tys on the horizontal for waste piping, but OK for vertical picking up horizontal waste piping. Here, wye fittings or combination wye 1/8th bend fittings are allowed on horizontal, but not sanitary TYs. Otherwise, sanitary TYS are for venting.

No S-TRAPS. However, these may be allowed in PA... only state I believe that still allow these.

AAVs must be "readily accessible" for future change out.

All dwellings that have a kitchen/bathroom must, at a minimum, have one 3" vent stack that penetrates the roof (or side wall).

Side inlet elbows (your toilet elbow) are illegal in most states.

Most of these codes are there to prevent siphoning and therefore sewer gasses from entering the home, so by my knowledge this isn't right, OK?

Run these codes by a plumbing inspector... should agree with most of these as they are considered standard plumbing practices.

The only issue I am troubled by here is that if you look at the work it is actually very nicely done... suggests a real professional did the work to me. Here, I just don't understand the complete disagreement with standard codes. Is it possible that PA has completely contrary codes to just about everyone else? It is possible, I guess... mentioned a known exception from PA above already.

Anyway, I'd make the call to a local guy and just ask him the questions to start.

The pipes penetrating the roof are each hooked to an exhaust fan only? If so, that is OK. If they are connected into a sewer vent then that is another HUGE code violation... *UGH*.

Feel free to keep the questions coming, and please keep me updated... maybe I can learn a little with you!

Finally, please do not get alarmed by what I present here. I could be way off as codes do differ quite a bit from state to state. It could be that I have just never seen this great a difference before...

Back to you...

Mark

Would/Could I get in trouble if the inspector would come have a look? I would like it to be correct however I could not afford an expensive plumbing bill at the moment.( I am trying to refinish a room for my father in-law to recover from a stroke)

I don't think you could get in trouble here, but I do think you should start with a PHONE CALL and just ask him about the codes I posted after, "run these standard plumbing codes by the inspector and let me know what he thinks"...

If you are still worried, call a plumbing inspector in another town next to you and ask him the questions. It is as simple as telling him you are trying to decipher some of the plumbing codes as you are considering doing a small bathroom remodel... right?

Keep me posted, OK?

Mark

Didn't get a chance to call an Inspector yet. About my washer hook up, Should I tie the 3x3x2 Wye as far down the pipe as possible and install a longer 2" run before installing the vent and P trap or doesn't it make a difference

I do have a call into a local plumber to see how he does it. Talked to another guy who does some plumbing on the side. He said that's how he was taught to do it.