Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?

Thanks for all your help.
John

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

PeleSajan wrote:
I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?

Thanks for all your help.
John

I wouldn't allow it. a 4/12 is not a low pitch, and punching a vent
through it is not a big deal. Are you subject to plumbing inspections?
I can't imagine a plumbing inspector would let that pass. my
understanding is these devices are used as a last resort, when
conventional venting is not possible. your situation isn't even close
to a last resort.

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

PeleSajan wrote:

I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?

Thanks for all your help.
John


It's a mechanical vent. Some places allow them, some don't.
In any event, I wouldn't put one in an attic. That's poor design.
If you get freezing temps where you are, it probably will freeze
shut anyway.

Instead of cutting another roof termination, he should TEE into
an existing vent.

Back to your question: No they won't add moisture to your attic;
they only draw air in.
Jim

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

Awesome, thanks guys for the quick responses. I will tell that I do
not want it.

John

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

Just out of curiosity.....I'm wondering why these sink vents need to go
through the roof instead of the side of the building (like gable end of
attic)?

J.

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

In article EEGmh.1750$IT2.561@trnddc06, says...
Just out of curiosity.....I'm wondering why these sink vents need to go
through the roof instead of the side of the building (like gable end of
attic)?

Some jurisdictions allow side venting, others don't. Concerns include
where vapors go that come up from the sewer -- some idiot pours gas down
a drain, the fumes come up your vent stack, do they dissipate outdoors
or accumulate in your attic?

--
is Joshua Putnam
http://www.phred.org/~josh/
Braze your own bicycle frames. See
http://www.phred.org/~josh/build/build.html

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

wrote in message
.net...
In article EEGmh.1750$IT2.561@trnddc06, says...
Just out of curiosity.....I'm wondering why these sink vents need to go
through the roof instead of the side of the building (like gable end of
attic)?

Some jurisdictions allow side venting, others don't. Concerns include
where vapors go that come up from the sewer -- some idiot pours gas down
a drain, the fumes come up your vent stack, do they dissipate outdoors
or accumulate in your attic?

I have a vent that goes out the side of the house, and then straight up 6
feet, completely unsupported. I took the 6 foot extension off, since it was
only a matter of time until it broke off. Now, occassionally, it doesn't
smell too good in that area.
Would putting a spring loaded damper on it help, or would it just ruin my
venting?

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

In article , says...

wrote in message
.net...
In article EEGmh.1750$IT2.561@trnddc06, says...
Just out of curiosity.....I'm wondering why these sink vents need to go
through the roof instead of the side of the building (like gable end of
attic)?

Some jurisdictions allow side venting, others don't. Concerns include
where vapors go that come up from the sewer -- some idiot pours gas down
a drain, the fumes come up your vent stack, do they dissipate outdoors
or accumulate in your attic?

I have a vent that goes out the side of the house, and then straight up 6
feet, completely unsupported. I took the 6 foot extension off, since it was
only a matter of time until it broke off. Now, occassionally, it doesn't
smell too good in that area.
Would putting a spring loaded damper on it help, or would it just ruin my
venting?

Check your local codes for what's required.

Personally, I suspect you should put the stack extension back on, but
with adequate support this time.

--
is Joshua Putnam
http://www.phred.org/~josh/
Braze your own bicycle frames. See
http://www.phred.org/~josh/build/build.html

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

methane sewer vent gas is flammable.

PeleSajan wrote:
I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?

Thanks for all your help.
John

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

On 2 Jan 2007 19:25:45 -0800, "PeleSajan"
wrote:

I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?



Why can't he just stuff the sink vent into the side of the
existing bathroom vent before it goes through the roof?
(It might be too far away, or inaccessible..)

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

On 2 Jan 2007 19:25:45 -0800, "PeleSajan"
wrote:

I have added a small second story addition on my house that enclosed a
roof vent for my kichen sink. The contractor plans on installing what
he called a "cheat vent" because it vents into the attic. He will of
course have to extend it up a few feet to get into the new attic space.
It does not require him to punch a hole up through the roof. He said
it has a spring like flipper on the top that only opens when air is
being sucked. His reasoning for this is that he wants to minimize the
number of cuts into my roof because of its low pitch. It is almost a
12:4. I already have my chimney, two roof vents and a bathroom vent
poking through and have never had an issue.

My question is, do these things work adquetely, this is a kitchen sink
and I do not want it to be a slow drainer? Will it add moisture to my
attic? I have a very dry attic and have worked hard to vent exhaust
fans and other items outside of the attic. Any reason why I should not
let him use this type of "cheat" vent?

Thanks for all your help.
John

imho:

Confused, is this a real plumber, who is governed by codes and an
overbearing inspector? ;)

I would suggest you get help from your local code enforcement
personnel. Many times trades people will take shortcuts to not
'cross-trade', meaning this plumber does not want to do roofing work.

later,

tom @ www.Consolidated-Loans.info

Sink Vent in Attic-"Cheat" Vent
 

buffalobill wrote:
methane sewer vent gas is flammable.

and toxic. or at least suffocating.