I am not venting, really I am not. Venting fixtures.   Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections

The plumbing vent is so simple yet so misunderstood.

The advent of the residential vent theory actually goes back to the late 1800’s in New York City. This is when indoor residential plumbing really took off for those who could afford it.

One problem that arose in those early residential plumbing systems was that the traps were losing their seals due to being siphoned and from back pressure conditions. This left that wonderful odorous aroma in some very wealthy people’s homes (they were the ones who could afford this luxury). Not a good thing for those early plumbers who wanted to make their mark in the new field of indoor residential plumbing. Their job literally stunk.

So it was in 1874 at a Master Plumbers conference in New York these plumbers discussed this issue and came up with the venting theory that the air pressure in the drain and at a the fixture had to be the same. They tested this theory and low and behold the modern principle of venting the plumbing system was born.

Now these wealthy patrons of New York could do their business indoors and not make a stink of it.

So during a recent home inspection of a home from the 1940’s I find that there had been some upgrades to the plumbing system. When they put in the new laundry area and there was no vent close. The nearest vent (the only vent) was over 15 feet way. For a 2” line it should not be more than 8 feet away.

Also there was no vent for the kitchen sink, minor detail…right.

So if you do not want you friends and neighbors to think you stink (that would not be civilized) you will need to properly vent.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572