When it comes to installing sinks, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures, there are various rules to abide by. These guidelines are in place for a reason, and failing to comply may lead to adverse effects. So, if you’re DIYing your kitchen sink installation, there are a few things to keep in mind, namely venting.
While venting the sink may seem like an unnecessary step, it’s actually an essential part of the process to avoid issues.
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What Is A Vent?
Venting is a necessary part of any kitchen sink. In homes with easy access to an external vent pipe, which encompasses most houses, the drain line for each sink extends straight back into the wall horizontally, where it fits into a sanitary tee.
The tee is set up with one outlet extending downward into a vertical drain line and the other stretching upward into a vent system with access to the outside air. The fresh air releases sewer gases and escorts fresh air into the system to drain water quickly. However, not all homes have quick and easy access to an external vent pipe.
Homes without easy access to an external vent pipe may use an air admittance valve. The air admittance valve (AVV), also known as an auto vent, is a device that attaches to the fixture drain pipe. The AVV’s mechanism opens up to allow room air into the drain under the negative pressure force. This negative pressure is the result of water flowing through the drain.
The vent helps prevent clogging and promotes the free flow of water and liquids from the sink. In addition, venting the sink allows air to enter behind the water flowing out. This helps prevent debris, fats, and oils from clinging to the wall of the drain.
As a general rule of thumb, you should try to vent the sink through the roof or attic. This allows the cases to rise over and away from your kitchen. When you vent the sink out of the attic or roof, ensure the vent’s exit remains at least six inches above the roofline. Gas may seep back into your house via openings (like the window) if it isn’t.
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This isn’t always possible in some cases, so venting it through the wall is the only option.
What Happens If You Don’t Vent A Sink?
So, while a vent helps prevent clogs and promote the free flow of water and liquid down the drain, is it really necessary? Well, if you want your sink to drain correctly, then, yes, it is. If you don’t have one, the negative pressure resulting from draining water flow can suck water out of the drain trap. This allows sewer gases to enter your home.
Additionally, the vent is necessary to move wastewater successfully out of your system. Poorly-vented systems will have a tough time effectively moving wastewater and solid waste out of your home.
Without a venting system, you may smell sewer odors and notice slow drainage from your kitchen sink. So, for optimal function, a vent on your kitchen sink is essential.
How Do You Vent A Kitchen Sink?
According to the plumbing code, the specific requirements vary based on the pipe size and placement of sink vents. However, the general concept remains the same. Here are the steps for venting a kitchen sink.
Find The Correct Spot For The Vent
You need to install the vent between where the waste line leading away from the trap drops to the sewer and the P-trap of the sink drops. The length (in feet) between the vent and the trap should equal two times the diameter (in inches) of the waste line.
So, if the waste line diameter is 1 ¼ inch, the vent should be no more than 2 ½ feet from the trap.
Attach The Sanitary Tee
Next, use plastic pipe cement to attach a sanitary tee to the waste line. Attach the tee at the point where the vent will be connected. If the point is within a critical distance, you can place it where the waste line drops vertically.
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In this case, glue the waste line to the perpendicular tee port, ensuring the sweep faces down.
The parallel ports should face up and down.
On the other hand, if you want to install the vent before the waste line drops vertically, adjust the orientation of the tee. Once you glue the parallel port to the waste line, continue the waste line from another parallel port. Ensure you angle the sweep away from the drain, facing the perpendicular port up.
Attach The Pipe
Once you attach the sanitary tees, the next step involves connecting the necessary pipes. Glue 1 ¼ inch PVC pipe to the port of the tee facing upwards. If these options work better, you can also use 1 ½ or 2-inch pipes.
You can tie the pipe to existing vents, but bringing the pipeline through the roof is ideal. If necessary, you may need to vent the line through the wall. Every scenario is different, so the proper course of action varies.
Route The Pipe
Once the pipe beneath the sink is attached, route it to where it needs to go. If you have an existing vent, route it through the walls to meet up with this line. Ensure the pipe doesn’t slope downwards at any point. Try to keep the pipe angled at a rise or completely horizontal.
Using a hacksaw, cut the existing vent pipe. Ensure the sweep angle remains up and the perpendicular port of the pipe faces the new vent line. Then, glue it into a sanitary tee.
How Do You Vent A Kitchen Sink Beneath A Window?
Venting a kitchen sink without a window above it is reasonably straightforward, especially if you connect the pipe to an existing vent line. However, if you have a window above your kitchen sink, venting it will be a bit trickier.
You’ll have to run the vent horizontally until it clears the window. The slope cannot angle downwards, so a slight upward slope is a better idea. The route should return vertical once the window isn’t in the way.
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Categories: Kitchens