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mymysharona · Jul 18, 2010, 06:04 AM

Hello
I have a holding tank at my cottage attached to two toilets. There is one vent for both toilets in the plumbing system at the moment under the cottage on a vent that isn't supposed to go to the roof. The distance from the toilets to the holding tank is 15' and 20' any help or suggestings would be appreciated. The closer toilet won't keep flushing... could the venting be the problem? When it was vented to the outside of the building it worked fine.

Thanks

massplumber2008 · Jul 18, 2010, 06:16 AM

Hi Mymysharona...

I assume that the sinks don't connect to the holding tank... right? If the sinks do connect to the holding tank then I need to know if the sinks are vented... OK?

Otherwise, as you describe this I am wondering if the vent is downstream of both toilets or if the vent is in between toilets? The best set up would have a vent for each toilet.

Let us know more...

Mark

speedball1 · Jul 18, 2010, 06:34 AM

There is one vent for both toilets in the plumbing system at the moment under the cottage on a vent that isn't supposed to go to the roof.

You have a vent that's lower then the fixtures it's venting? Where does this vent terminate? Back to you, Tom

mymysharona · Jul 18, 2010, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

You have a vent that's lower then the fixtures it's venting? Where does this vent terminate? Back to you, Tom

The vent terminates in between the two toilets. It is a one way vent.

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Mymysharona...

I assume that the sinks don't connect to the holding tank...right? If the sinks do connect to the holding tank then I need to know if the sinks are vented...OK?

Otherwise, as you describe this I am wondering if the vent is downstream of both toilets or if the vent is in betweeen toilets? The best set up would have a vent for each toilet.

Let us know more...

Mark

Thank you for getting back to us. The sinks do not go into the holding tank - you are right. The vent is between the two toilets and it is a one way vent.

speedball1 · Jul 18, 2010, 06:52 AM

There is one vent for both toilets in the plumbing system at the moment under the cottage on a vent that isn't supposed to go to the roof.

You have a vent that dips lower then the fixtures it's venting? Is this correct or have I missed something here? Cheers, Tom

mymysharona · Jul 18, 2010, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

You have a vent that dips lower then the fixtures it's venting? Is this correct or have I missed something here? Cheers, Tom

Sorry Tom - yes the vent dips lower. It is under the cottage and is the type you would use for an island.

massplumber2008 · Jul 18, 2010, 07:18 AM

You have a mechanical vent in place... called an AAV. This should really go 6 inches above the toilet for best results, but I've seen them used the way yours is piped up and they do allow some air in... ;) You should also have an AAV for each toilet for best results.

All homes and cottages are required by code to have at least one 3" vent up and through the roof...don't see why your set up would be any diffferent really. For best results I'd pipe this up so the toilets have that 3" vent through the roof and then install an AAV for each toilet and you would be up and running perfectly!

If you remove the mechanical vent do both toilets work better?

Mark

mymysharona · Jul 18, 2010, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

You have a mechanical vent in place...called an AAV. This should really go 6 inches above the toilet for best results, but I've seen them used the way yours is piped up and they do allow some air in...;) You should also have an AAV for each toilet for best results.

If you remove the mechanical vent do both toilets work better?

Mark

We haven't tried that yet. We are heading out there today and will see what we have time to work on. We will definitely let you know. The toilet behind the vent works fine - the one in front is giving us grief.

massplumber2008 · Jul 18, 2010, 07:29 AM

Read my last post as I added some stuff while you were posting.

Remove the vent and see if that helps. Otherwise I believe you'll need to add, at a minimum, an additional AAV after the other toilet... ;)

Keep us posted...

Mark

mymysharona · Jul 18, 2010, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Read my last post as I added some stuff while you were posting.

Remove the vent and see if that helps. Otherwise I believe you'll need to add, at a minimum, an additional AAV after the other toilet...;)

Keep us posted...

Mark

Thank you so much for your time. We are on our way and I will keep you posted.