All plumbing fixtures—including washing machines—must be vented. Improperly vented drains can be sluggish and noisy, and can emit hazardous fumes. Properly vented drains allow the P-trap to do its job: prevent sewer gases from escaping into your home.
How do you vent a washing machine drain?
The best way to vent a washing machine drain pipe is to run it into an existing plumbing vent stack. If this is not possible, you can install a separate vent stack. Either way, it’s important to ensure that the vent stack is properly sized and installed to prevent future problems.
How high does a washer drain vent need to be?
In order for the drain hose on your Top Load washer to function properly, the drain must be at least 30″ up from the floor and less than 8 feet high. In order for the drain hose on your Front Load washer to function properly, the drain must be at least 24″ up from the floor and less than 8 feet high.
Can you use an air admittance valve for a washing machine?
Fitting easily inside a laundry box, a small AAV is a good choice for venting a washing machine. This one connects to a 2-inch trap, which drains into a 3-inch branch line.
Do washing machine drains need vent? – Related Questions
What is code for washing machine drain?
According to the Universal Plumbing Code, the standard drain size for a washing machine is 2 inches. The absolute minimum should be about 1 1/2 inches. However, keep in mind that wash load capacities can vary by up to 400% or more depending on the model.
Can you use a studor vent on a washing machine drain?
Yes, you can use a Studor vent on a washing machine drain because washing machines connected to a drain pipe need to be vented. A Studor vent protects the p trap by ensuring that the water level doesn’t deplete due to negative pressures, thereby preventing the bad odor and sewer smells from filling your room.
What type of valve do I need to hook up a washing machine?
The washing machine has hookups for two water lines on the back, one for hot water and one for cold. These lines are hooked up to the body of a solenoid valve.
Where are air admittance valves allowed?
AAV location: An AAV should be located within the maximum developed length permitted for the vent. It must be located a minimum of 4” above the horizontal branch drain, 6” above any insulation material and within 15 degrees of vertical.
Where can air admittance valves be used?
AAVs are a great alternative if you can’t connect to an existing venting system due to complex pipe routing issues or obstructions – an ideal venting solution for island sinks, remote bathroom groups, home remodels and additions that would otherwise have to be tied into a stack vent utilizing specialized venting
Can you use an air admittance valve on a wet vent?
The dry-vent extension of the wet-vented system only has to be 1 1/2 in. Or you could terminate the wet vent to an air admittance valve rated for 1 1/2 in. and the fixture unit value of the entire wet-vented system. Some smaller air admittance valves cannot serve a wet-vented bathroom group.
What can go wrong with an air admittance valve?
Problems can arise where air admittance valves are fitted to vent pipes which are not separately vented and which include water traps – this can lead to back pressure in the pipework when an appliance is discharged which will effect the appliance discharge – this will be especially noticeable when a toilet is flushed.
What is the difference between a wet vent and a dry vent?
The difference between a dry vent and a wet vent, is that a dry vent only supplies air to the drain line, while a wet vent will function as both a drain line and a vent.
How many elbows can a plumbing vent have?
With the appliances used today, the use of an excessive number of elbows can cause condensation problems. Try to limit the installation to no more than two 90 offsets and to use offsets of no more than 45 wherever possible.
Does a plumbing vent have to go straight up?
Vent pipes must be installed so they stay dry. This means that they should emerge from the top of the drainpipe, either straight vertically or at no less than a 45-degree angle from horizontal, so that water cannot back up into them.
Can a shower sink and toilet share the same vent?
In short, it is possible to connect the toilet drainage line and the shower drainage line, as long as they both have separate waste trap arms. However, do note that combining them may also lead to blockages, which can cause smells to come from certain drains.
Can plumbing vent run horizontally?
Can Vent Pipes be Horizontal? There is no problem with running your vent pipes horizontally as long as you remember that there should be a minimum clearance of 6 inches above the spill line. What is a spill line? This is the level where the water starts to overflow from the rim of the sink, toilet, or tub.
Do I need a vent for every drain?
Without getting too far into building science, a general plumbing rule of thumb is that every drain needs a trap, and every trap needs a vent. All those traps and drains are designed to prevent sewer gas from entering your home.
How far can a vent pipe be from the drain?
According to the UPC, the distance between your trap and the vent should be no more than 6 feet. In other words, for the vent to work properly, it needs to feed into the drain line within 6 feet of the trapways that connect to it.