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homeowner 123 · Aug 13, 2008, 08:35 AM

Ok, so I am in the process of finishing my basement, and intend to add a wet bar. I'm not a very experienced plumber, so I have begun to research how this needs to be done, so it meets code and so I can avoid surprises when the inspector comes to check things out.

On my original plans, I located the wet bar right by a drain stack coming from upstairs. Currently, my kitchen sink drains into the stack. I intended on connecting my wet bar to the drain stack, and calling it good. Now that I have done a little research, it looks like I will be required to vent the bar sink. I have a few questions:

1. Instead of venting the basement sink to the roof of the house, can I vent it out the side of the house? If so, what are the requirements for this, I read a post that said something about being a certain distance away from windows, doors, etc.

2. Can I connect to and use the vents for my basement bathroom rough in? I will be finishing the bathroom during the remodel, so if this is possible, I may choose to tie into these vents.

My preference would be to follow #1 above, but I'm willing to listen to all options :)

I should note, in my area, all plumbing structures are to comply with the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code (I'm assuming there haven't been any revisions).

ballengerb1 · Aug 13, 2008, 10:17 AM

Ask you building inspector if he will pass an air admittance valve (AAV) in place of a stck.

homeowner 123 · Aug 13, 2008, 11:10 AM

I myself don't know if I like the idea of installing an air admittance valve, and I'm pretty sure the City won't allow it. My neighbor hired a plumber to do some work in his basement, and the plumber said it wasn't to City code if he put in the AAV, but did it anyway, since he wasn't having his basement inspected. From what I've seen and heard, they are pretty strict with their building codes and aren't very developer friendly.

speedball1 · Aug 13, 2008, 11:54 AM

1. Instead of venting the basement sink to the roof of the house, can I vent it out the side of the house? If so, what are the requirements for this, I read a post that said something about being a certain distance away from windows, doors, etc.

Yes you may, But with restrictions's. No vent terminal shall be located directly below any, door window, or any other ventilation opening, nor shall any such vent be within 10 feet horizontally of such a opening unless it's 2 feet above the top of such opening. Also it must be located at least 10 feet from any lot line, pointed upward and screened.

2. Can I connect to and use the vents for my basement bathroom rough in? I will be finishing the bathroom during the remodel, so if this is possible, I may choose to tie into these vents.

You may revent back into one of these vents using a inverted sanitary tee providing that it''s a dry vent from there to the roof.

I should note, in my area, all plumbing structures are to comply with the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code

Well that shoots a AAV right down in flames. You work off one of the most restrictive codes in the nation. In #1 I gave you my code requirements. Check with your local Building Department to be certain that they match UPC. Good luck, Tom

homeowner 123 · Aug 23, 2008, 08:46 PM

Ok, number 1 is out... it looks like number 2 is my best option, but it also looks like the 'wet' part of the bar may not happen.

The 2'' drain I intend to use for my wet bar is about 15 feet away from the vent stack I had hoped to tap into. I read somewhere that the vent stack has to be within 8 feet for a 2 inch drain. Is there any truth to this?

Milo Dolezal · Aug 24, 2008, 04:54 AM

Actually, it is 5' for 2" drain. I would use AAV under your bar sink which should be adequate to vent your bar sink.

speedball1 · Aug 24, 2008, 05:03 AM

I read somewhere that the vent stack has to be within 8 feet for a 2 inch drain. Is there any truth to this?

Milo slipped up big time when he advised using a AAV. Milo, of all people, should know that this won't fly. He works under UPC that outlaws wetvents and AAVs. Now on to your vent.
It's 5 feet from trap to vent for a 2" drain. However you may run the drain line 15 feet if you cut in a sanitary tee on its back in the drain line within 5 feet of your trap and then run up and over to the vent stack and connect with with a inverted sanitary tee this configuration will keep you with in UPC Code. Slope the vent back to the drain at 1/4" to the foot. Good luck, Tom

Milo Dolezal · Aug 24, 2008, 08:23 AM

Tom, according to your count, I had 90/10 chance in my favor his project doesn't fall under UPC. But I guess, this time, odds were not on my side and HomeOwner123 will have to do it the right way. :-D

It would be very helpful if people who post questions would list their location...

speedball1 · Aug 24, 2008, 08:27 AM

Hey Milo, Just jerking your chain a little! I guess you missed this in his first post,

I should note, in my area, all plumbing structures are to comply with the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code

and this a few posts farther on down,

Well that shoots a AAV right down in flames. You work off one of the most restrictive codes in the nation. In #1 I gave you my code requirements. Check with your local Building Department to be certain that they match UPC. Good luck, Tom

You have yourself a dynamite day, Tom

homeowner 123 · Aug 24, 2008, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

Milo slipped up big time when he advised using a AAV. Milo, of all people, should know that this won't fly. He works under UPC that outlaws wetvents and AAVs. Now on to your vent.
It's 5 feet from trap to vent for a 2" drain. However you may run the drain line 15 feet if you cut in a sanitary tee on its back in the drain line within 5 feet of your trap and then run up and over to the vent stack and connect with with a inverted sanitary tee this configuration will keep you with in UPC Code. Slope the vent back to the drain at 1/4" to the foot. Good luck, Tom

Ok, so I want to get this straight so all my ducks are in a row when the inspector comes out. My P-trap will only be about a foot from where it will connect to the "vent", and the vent will be about a foot from my drain. So I will connect my sink to the P-trap, the p-trap will connect to the vent using a T-connection. Going down from the T-connection, the vent will drop roughly a foot, and then I'll slope it to the drain. Going up from the T-connection, the vent will be vertical for roughly 4 feet, then I can slope it 1/4 inch per foot to the vent stack? I think this is what your saying, just want to be sure.

Also, if my basement washer and my basement bathroom sink will P-trap to that same vent-stack, will a third vent connection to it (I'll be connecting my bar vent at just below the ceiling, so it will be connected roughly 5 or 6 feet above the other P-traps) be too many on one vent stack, or is there not a limit?

Thank you guys so much for your help, you have given hope to my wet bar project.

P.S. Since it was asked, my location is North Liberty, IA