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    pompopei's Avatar
    pompopei Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 3, 2008, 01:59 PM
    Venting a washing machine through an unused furnace flue
    I am installing a washing machine and laundry tub in the basement and have no way to vent them through the ceiling and up the roof. However, nearby I have an old, unused furnace flue that goes all the way up to the roof. Of course its diameter is more than needed for venting of the washing machine and laundry tub. Can I run a pipe to the old flue and use it for venting?

    Thanks
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    May 3, 2008, 02:07 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by pompopei
    I am installing a washing machine and laundry tub in the basement and have no way to vent them through the ceiling and up the roof. However, nearby I have an old, unused furnace flue that goes all the way up to the roof. Of course its diameter is more than needed for venting of the washing machine and laundry tub. Can I run a pipe to the old flue and use it for venting?

    Thanks
    Works for me! That stove pipe will act as a chase for the washer vent. How is the stove pipe capped so the rain doesn't drain back down to the basement? Good luck, Tom
    pompopei's Avatar
    pompopei Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    May 3, 2008, 03:25 PM
    I failed to explain that:
    1) the entrance to the unused furnace flue (wich is well capped in the roof, thanks) is about 5 feet laterally and 6 feet high. Is this too much distance from the trap?

    2) the drain stack for the washing machine is open and the drain hose from the machine goes into it. Does not this work as a vent? Why is is necessary to install another vent?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    May 3, 2008, 04:14 PM
    1) the entrance to the unused furnace flue (wich is well capped in the roof, thanks) is about 5 feet laterally and 6 feet high. Is this too much distance from the trap?
    No! You'll be just fine.
    2) the drain stack for the washing machine is open and the drain hose from the machine goes into it. Does not this work as a vent? Why is is necessary to install another vent?
    You have a open,(untrapped) line to your drain? Unless your washer set up looks like this,(see image )but run in all two inch, then you have sewer gas entering your home. Sewer gas's harmful to your families health and the methane content makes it explosive. Let me know what you decide. Regards, Tom
    pompopei's Avatar
    pompopei Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    May 3, 2008, 04:29 PM
    My set up is all 2"" pipe and looks like your drawing except for the vent pipe going up to the roof. Is this ok and does it save me the trouble of installing a vent to the unused furnace flue?

    Also, you said not to tie the laundry tub drain to the WM stack. You suggested a wet vent if allowed by code and I neither know what a wet vent is nor whether the code allows it. If I install a trap under the laundry tub and then tie to a 2" vented drain pipe that in turn wye ties with the laundry drain under the slab, would this be OK?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #6

    May 3, 2008, 06:37 PM
    My set up is all 2"" pipe and looks like your drawing except for the vent pipe going up to the roof. Is this OK and does it save me the trouble of installing a vent to the unused furnace flue?
    No! You have to vent the washer. I thought you were telling me that you had a open pipe the washer was draining into.
    you said not to tie the laundry tub drain to the WM stack. You suggested a wet vent if allowed by code and I neither know what a wet vent is nor whether the code allows it. If I install a trap under the laundry tub and then tie to a 2" vented drain pipe that in turn wye ties with the laundry drain under the slab, would this be OK?
    that's what I meant by a wet vent. The laundry tray will drain into the washer vent and the washer will be wet vented by the few feet that the laundry tray drains into. You're good to go. Good luck, Tom

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