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July 29, 2008
Sewer venting through roof deck
We are in contract on a place in Park Slope that has a roof deck (top unit of a 3-unit brick building). The inspector noticed a plastic pipe rising up through the roof deck a couple of feet. He said this was the sewer vent and the top of the pipe should be at least 3 feet above the deck level.
Since that inspection the seller has cut the vent down to the level of the deck. Anyone have any advice on this -- will the smell be irritable/intolerable to people on the deck? Should we push the seller to change this?
If there isn't going to be an issue with the smell we'd rather keep it low b/c it's pretty ugly.
Comments
It's not about the smell, it's about how wind affects the ability of the vent pipe to function properly.
It's got to be raised above the peak of the roof or 6 feet above a roof used as a sun deck.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at July 29, 2008 1:00 PM
why would the seller cut down the level of the pipe after the inspection? Especially if he was told it had to be 3 feet high minimum. I would tell him to fix it- why should you have to pay for his error?
couldn't you box it in so it looks more attractive (6 foot height would be easier to do that with)? As long as the top of the vent is unemcumbered.
Posted by: bxgrl at July 29, 2008 1:26 PM
You can box it in.
And it shouldn't be PVC, but whatever.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at July 29, 2008 1:30 PM
(Obviously that was the pic from *before* the seller cut it and capped it with a U-joint.)
Posted by: Brooklyn Cat at July 29, 2008 4:36 PM
[Hmm, my comment didn't get posted.]
Thanks, Master Plvmber. Forgive my ignorance but I don't understand what you mean by "function properly". Is it so the odors disperse etc.? Or for building code? Here's a picture.
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n367/Brooklyn_Cat_PS/sewer_vent.jpg
bxgrl: I don't know why the seller did it either. They have been good otherwise and don't think we'll have to pay for the error.
Posted by: Brooklyn Cat at July 29, 2008 4:45 PM
simple fix either way, u dont need a plumber. do it yourself...
Posted by: alrosariojr at July 29, 2008 5:27 PM
Because of the way wind moves over a roof, wind can push down the pipe and blow the water out of your toilet bowls and sink traps. You want to install it according to code. It should actually be 6 feet above that wood decking you have there.
By the way, you're right, you may wind up smelling sewer gases the way it is installed now.
It has to be extended.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at July 29, 2008 6:33 PM
Yeah, since it's PVC now, extending it with PVC is no more code-uncompliant (if it is anyway,) so that's not an issue. Get 6' of PVC, a coupling and glue and it takes 2 mins. Then build a chimney around it. 2 hours, tops.
Posted by: cmu at July 29, 2008 8:10 PM
Thanks very much Master Plvmber and all!
Posted by: Brooklyn Cat at July 30, 2008 6:38 AM
Cmu, I don't think PVC is compliant in this application.
Code section PC701.10 states: Plastic pipe and fittings may be used for drain, venting and waste removal in residential buildings five stories or less in height.
The poster states it is a 3-unit building, which I believe the DOB regards as a multi-family.
I'm just saying.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at July 30, 2008 7:40 AM
Hi new neighbor, I can see that place from my deck. I can also see many, many others and there are no vent pipes sticking 6 ft above the roof lines on any of them. None.
Look at the vents for the other roofs in the photo. That's what most look like or they have a curved top. I can't think of any others that are PVC, but whatever. Just make sure to put some kind of mesh over it or do the curve because it's the perfect size for some yahoo to drop an empty beer can down. I have never smelled any type of sewage smells. It was my understanding that it was needed to avoid a vacuum.
Posted by: ownhs at July 30, 2008 10:21 AM
I don't know much about plumbing code, but I think they make a charcoal filter for vent pipes that can be used if odors are a problem. My family looked into one when the neighbors complained about a septic field vent at our cottage in New Hampshire. No idea if they work or if this is an appropriate use -- just mentioning that they exist.
Posted by: zgori at July 30, 2008 3:37 PM
think I would go with master plvmber's advice, rather than a neighbor's. Just could be all those pipes are not up to code too (not unheard of). And maybe the codes have changed over time so old renovations might not reflect that.
Posted by: bxgrl at July 30, 2008 5:15 PM
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