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-   -   Can I cover my sewer vent? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=553211)

  • Feb 10, 2011, 09:09 AM
    emmyt8
    Can I cover my sewer vent?
    I have a laundry closet, on the wall is a sewer vent coming out. There is a little 8" x 8" recessed area where it comes up. I was hoping to hang cabinets in that laundry area but the sewer vent is in the way. Can I hang cabinets directly in front of it? I'm assuming no. So if not, then could I hang cabinets in front of it and cut a hole out of the back of the cabinet, or, could I mount some 2x4s on the wall and then mount the cabinets to them so that there is space behind the cabinets for the sewer vent to have some air? Thanks!
  • Feb 10, 2011, 10:04 AM
    hkstroud

    Tell us more. You would not (should not) have a sewer vent terminating in you house. Tell us more, what you describe sounds more like a washer drain pipe. Are there any water pipes next to the pipe. Could this area have been used for a clothes washer in the past?
  • Feb 10, 2011, 11:49 AM
    massplumber2008
    2 Attachment(s)

    Hi all...

    Sounds like a washer stand pipe OR a mechanical vent... called an AAV... see image below.

    If you have an AAV then that must remain accessible so you would install the cabinets and cut out an 8"x8" square so you could replace the vent if needed.

    If you have a washing machine drain that has been abandoned then you would cap the drain and then you could cover over it with cabinets, but I would still recommend cutting an access panel in the cabinets so the next homeowner can find it and decide if they want to use it in the future... ;)

    If you aren't talking about an AAV or washer drain pipe then as Hkstroud asked, please let us know more information, OK?

    Mark
  • Feb 10, 2011, 05:37 PM
    emmyt8
    [IMG]file:///Users/emilytimmons/Desktop/IMG_1023.JPG[/IMG][IMG]file:///Users/emilytimmons/Desktop/IMG_1024.JPG[/IMG]

    Here is a pic of what I have. Looks like the pic on the right from MassPlumber2008. These pics show it up close, and then from far out, you can see it to the left of the tide bottle. So I'll install the cabinets and then cut a hole? Think that will work?

    Thanks!
  • Feb 10, 2011, 05:42 PM
    emmyt8
    Comment on massplumber2008's post
    Okay apparently I have no idea how to post pics. The thing looks like the one on the right. It is about 6 feet off the ground, on thew all above my washer and dryer. So yout hink it will be okay if I hang the cabinets and have a hole there to access that area? If this really is a vent, will it not matter that it is located in a cabinet? Thanks!
  • Feb 10, 2011, 07:48 PM
    hkstroud

    How do I add pictures and other file types to my post?

    A. "Attach" files (including pictures) from your computer. This method puts the attached file below the text of the post.

    1. Click on an Ask or Answer button to ask or answer a question
    2. Compose your question or answer in the window.
    3. Under the window where you composed your question or answer is a section called Additional Options.
    4. Click on the Manage Attachments button: a pop-up dialog will open. NOTE: The Manage Attachments dialog lists the maximum sizes of the various types of files that may be attached.
    5. Click the Browse button to navigate to the image on your computer and double click the file on your computer: this will return you to the dialog window.
    6. Click the Upload button.
    7. Click the link to close the dialog window OR repeat numbers 5 & 6 to attach another image.
  • Feb 11, 2011, 06:34 AM
    massplumber2008

    Emmy, if you want to post a pic. To confirm... see Hkstroud's info. Above.

    Otherwise, if your AAV looks like the picture on the right in my post then you would install the cabinet and cut out the hole and all will be just fine! Here, the vent only pulls air into the vent so no issues unless the AAV fails and you would know it failed, too as the smell of sewer gas would blow you over when you opened the cabinet door. In this case, you would unscrew the AAV and replace it through the hole cut in the cabinet... ;)

    Mark

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