Instructions on Installing a Roof Vent
Modern drainage systems feature vents that keep stinky, sewer gases at bay. Allowing oxygen into a drain system also maintains the equilibrium required for flushed liquids to easily flow from the fixture to the sewer or septic system. Older buildings often have vents running up and down their exterior walls, while modern buildings feature vents that shoot straight through the roof. Learning to install a roof vent develops valuable plumbing skills. Executing the task will keep your drainage system in tip-top shape. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- ABS drain pipe
- Chop saw
- Tape measure
- ABS glue
- Lint-free rag
- Reciprocal saw
- Roof-jack
- Roof-sealant
- Pencil
- Hole saw
- Plumb bob
- Drill & drill bits
- Roofing nails
- Roofing hammer
Instructions
-
-
1
Design the vent pipe's path to minimize material waste and take the shortest route to the roof. The pipe's path must remain within walls, avoiding ducts and electrical wires. Once the route is determined, use a pencil to mark the locations where holes and cuts for the pipe will be made on studs, joists and subflooring.
-
2
Build the vent piping in portions. Cut holes through studs, joists and subflooring, using a hole saw. Measure pipe lengths using a tape measure. Cut the pipe using a chop saw. Dry-fit 8-foot portions of pipe and fittings. Remove the fittings. Join the vent pipe by fully coating the inside of fittings with ABS glue. Coat the outside portion of pipe that goes inside each fitting with ABS glue. Place the pipes into the fittings. Press and hold joints for approximately 30 seconds. Wipe away excess glue with a lint-free rag.
-
-
3
Cut a hole in the roof to provide access for your roof vent. Use a plumb bob to determine the point at which the final length of pipe will pass through the roof. Mark the pipe's exit point on the underside of the roof sheathing, using a pencil. Drill a pilot hole through the mark with a drill. Use the reciprocal saw to make a hole roughly the diameter of the vent pipe.
-
4
Finish the installation of the final length of vent pipe. Dry-fit, then glue and clean the final portion of pipe.
-
5
Install a roof jack over the vent pipe. Slide the roof jack over the pipe and position it so it covers the hole in the roof. The lower lip of the roof jack will overlap a shingle, while the top edge and sides of the roof jack will be covered by shingles. Nail the roof jack only on the edges that will be covered by shingles -- the sides and top. Apply roofing sealant around the fasteners, edges and gaps between the pipe and roof jack.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To improve adhesion, clean and remove burrs from pipes before gluing.
Research local building codes before installing a roof vent.
References
- Photo Credit Green iron roof image by Oleg Mitiukhin from Fotolia.com
