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blake87 · Jun 29, 2006, 08:04 PM

I am just putting a sink in our basement / garage. I have purchased an above ground sump pump with box, which the sink will drain to and the discharge will go vertical about 6' and tie into the main line, which exits the house through the basement wall. Since it is just a sink, can I get away with putting an In-Line Vent valve in the vent hole of the sump box or do I definitely need to tie into an existing vent pipe that goes out the roof?
I am having a difficult time finding a pipe in the ceiling of the basement that I can definitely say is a vent.
It is similar to the situation in this article but I'm just wondering if I'll have problems if I do not tie into an existing vent?

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http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/how_to_central/plumbing_heating/1275616.html

Thanks for any help!

speedball1 · Jun 30, 2006, 06:13 AM

Unless the installation directions specifically allows you to use a AAV,(air admittance valve) on the holding tank you will need to install a dedicated vent. The reason being that while a house system pulls air in to vent a holding tank pushes air out when a discharge enters it and pulls it in when the discharged is pumped out. A AAV only lets air in one way so while it can be used as the lavatory vent it can not be used as a holding tank vent.
Good luck, Tom

blake87 · Jun 30, 2006, 04:02 PM

Thank you Speedball! I hope this gets to you in time as I am starting the project this weekend and have another question.
There is a ptrap in the ceiling of the basement that is below the 1st floor washer and dryer. Being that the washer drain is just an open drain, will it be OK to tie in just above that basement ptrap to vent the sump box?
I'm thinking the answer is no but just wanted to be sure and also see if you could give any other ideas on how to vent. There are plenty of pipes in my basement but I'm not sure which ones may go all the way to the roof?
Thanks again for any and all your help!

speedball1 · Jul 1, 2006, 06:43 AM

Hey blake,

"There is a ptrap in the ceiling of the basement that is below the 1st floor washer and dryer. Being that the washer drain is just an open drain, will it be ok to tie in just above that basement ptrap to vent the sump box?"

There are two places to "tie in" above the "P" trap. (1)The stand pipe the washer discharges into and (2)above where the trap connects to the drain. If it's number 2 and it's a dry vent through the roof then you may revent the holding tank vent back to it. Good luck, Tom

blake87 · Jul 2, 2006, 05:50 PM

So the stand pipe is the pipe that holds the rubber hose coming from the washer and is not sealed (open air drain)? If that's the case the ptrap to that is the one I could tie into. I have about 4" above the ptrap that is accesible. Is that what you are saying in #1 that I could tie in to? There are no dedicated vent pipes in the basement.
My current plan is... a local plumber told me it would be OK to vent out the side wall, which will put the vent about 3' above ground level and at least 8' from the closest window. If this fails I'll have to pay a professional just to come out and run a vent 3 stories to the roof. Why didn't they think of this stuff in 1986? Would've made my life a lot easier if they did.
Thanks again Speedball!

speedball1 · Jul 3, 2006, 06:17 AM

"There are two places to "tie in" above the "P" trap. (1)The stand pipe the washer discharges into and (2)above where the trap connects to the drain. If it's number 2 and it's a dry vent through the roof then you may revent the holding tank vent back to it."

"So the stand pipe is the pipe that holds the rubber hose coming from the washer and is not sealed (open air drain)?? If that's the case the ptrap to that is the one I could tie into. I have about 4" above the ptrap that is accesible. Is that what you are saying in #1 that I could tie in to? "

I'm sorry. My answer was confusing. You may use the standpipe as a drain either connecting the drain line from the holding tank upstream or downstream from the washer trap but to vent you will have to pick door #2 and revent back to the washer vent.

" A local plumber told me it would be OK to vent out the side wall, which will put the vent about 3' above ground level and at least 8' from the closest window"
Chapter 14 Sections 1404.4 and 1404.5 of the Standard Plumbing Code allow you to do this if you wish.

Good luck, Tom

blake87 · Jul 3, 2006, 09:01 AM

Thank you for all your help Speedball!!