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Hemlock50 · Jan 9, 2010, 08:36 AM

Hi,
Was in Home Depot the other day & noticed they sold vent caps (fits a 3 or 4" pipe), similar to the caps for chimneys. Was wondering if you guys recommend them for keeping rain, snow, etc. from going down the vent. I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad thing to do, just wondering if there any drawbacks to capping it.
I live in Western NY so storms can be pretty severe at times.
Just wondering what your thoughts were... yes, no, OK to have, but not necessary. Thanks.

massplumber2008 · Jan 9, 2010, 10:03 AM

Hi Hemlock...

Absolutely NOT needed! You can use a cap if you like as it certainly won't hurt anything, vents are made to be open to allow snow and rain water to flow down the vent by gravity to the drain.

MARK

Hemlock50 · Jan 9, 2010, 10:15 AM

OK, thank you Mark. I thought that was probably the case.

ballengerb1 · Jan 9, 2010, 10:33 AM

I live in a fairly cold and heavy snow area and caps are not necessary but can cut down on leaves and dead birds. If you have been having these problems then buy a cap, I haven't seen leaves or dead birds clogging a vent in many years

Hemlock50 · Jan 9, 2010, 11:11 AM

No, those aren't issues I'm having. I did recently replace the 4' cast iron vent to 3' pvc when my bathroom was re-modeled. The pipe inside the wall was actually badly corroded, (& partly missing!) so it was a good thing that wall was opened up. I know corrosion obviously won't be an issue with the pvc. It just got me wondering when I saw them in HD. Thanks for your input.

speedball1 · Jan 9, 2010, 11:52 AM

Absolutely NOT needed!

Not so fast Mark! Down here we don't use vent caps but we screen our vents to prevent critters from entering and not beimg able to get out. I don't know how many times I've augered into dead squirrels and birds snaking a roof vent. So vent caps do serve a purpose. Regards, Tom

massplumber2008 · Jan 9, 2010, 01:46 PM

My choices were yes, no, or OK to have, but not necessary.

I chose not needed... :p:p

speedball1 · Jan 9, 2010, 01:51 PM

You're correct Mark! This is something no one thinks about until they get a critter down their vent. Then they wish they had a screen or vent cap installed. Stay warm, Tom

massplumber2008 · Jan 9, 2010, 01:54 PM

All good points Tom and Bob!

Thanks

Hemlock50 · Jan 9, 2010, 04:23 PM

Tom,
Screening seems like a good idea, but I wonder if during some of our winter storms where rain turns to snow & ice (or even just a heavy snow storm)if that could cause problems by clogging the screen. Certainly not a problem in FL, but maybe here & other parts of the country that have severe winters. Maybe a screen & cap would be better for us Northerners. Or do you think my scenario of the screen freezing over or clogging is unlikely?
I noticed last week during one of our heavy snow falls I had some snow built up around the vent opening. That leads me to believe a screen would have made the build-up much worse.
Just more food for thought...

speedball1 · Jan 9, 2010, 05:53 PM

True, Florida doesn't freeze, (much! )so snow build up is a concern, but wait! I'm not talking about a window screen. This would have to have large openings. I doubt you would get much snow build up on the screens as the air in the vent is a little less then ambient room temperature, (think of all the hot water you put in your system).
So the nsnow would melt and drain on down. Just my two pence worth!
Cheers, Tom