How to Plumb Drain Vents
Drain vents play a vital role in modern plumbing systems. They allow oxygen into the drain pipes, let sewer gases escape through the roof and maintain the equilibrium of pressure required for waste to flow smoothly into a sewer or septic system. Plumbing drain vents offers you an opportunity to hone your plumbing skills and maintain the health of your drain system. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Scrap lumber
- Drain pipe and fittings
- Glue
- Plumb bob
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter’s pencil
- Hole saw
- Hammer
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Hacksaw
- Plumber's tape
- Flashing
- Sealant
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure and mark the position of vent paths, using a measuring tape and carpenter's pencil. Mark wall studs, wall plates, joists, rafters and other framing members where holes must be drilled.
-
2
Drill holes with the hole saw. Make them as straight as possible so that the pipe remains on its intended path as it travels through the hole. Do not cut the hole in the roof until you have plumbed the rest of the system.
-
-
3
Build a portion of the vent system. Begin with the fitting at the vent’s connection to the drain system and end at the next fitting down the line. Measure and cut lengths of pipe long enough to allow for insertion into fittings. Before gluing, dry-fit pieces to ensure their proper placement. Hang pipes with plumber’s tape or attach scrap wood to framing members for bracing purposes. When the portion of drain vent is satisfactorily arranged, complete the gluing process. Continue to build the drain vent line--measure, cut with a hacksaw, dry-fit, secure and glue as you go along.
-
4
Mark the position of the hole through the roof, using the plumb bob, when you arrive at the final portion of drain vent. Cut the hole through the roof.
-
5
Install flashing over the hole in the roof and finish with the proper roofing materials. Finish the installation of the final portion of drain vent. Seal any gaps between the flashing and pipe.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Design your vent system so that it takes easiest and most direct route from its beginning to its end. By reducing complicated paths and difficult junctions, you’ll save yourself not only effort, but also money on materials. While designing your vent’s path, keep in mind bracing and positioning requirements.
To ensure adequate adhesion, clean and deburr pipes before gluing.
Follow local and national building codes regarding the placement of pipes, size of pipes and bracing requirements.
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
