How To Make Repairs To Ridge Vent With

How to Repair a Plumbing Vent in the Attic

Updated: Jun. xxx, 2022

Fix a mysterious pipe joint

FH05JAU_PLUVEN_01-2 Family unit Handyman

At that place's a correct way and a incorrect way to install vents. This photograph shows the incorrect way; the commodity explains what probably happened and how to go about fixing information technology.

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Repair a mistake

Proper coupling

Use a 3-in.-to-4-in. transition coupling, either plastic like this or banded safety, to join a 3-in. to a 4-in. vent pipe.

Someone took a shortcut. Start of all, going from three-in. pipe to 4-in. is unusual, although it may exist required by your local plumbing code. Sometimes vents like this had to be made larger to proceed frost from clogging the pipe. However, our all-time approximate is that the plumber stuck a iv-in. pipe through the roof sheathing earlier the roofers came so they could wink the vent into the shingles. The plumber made the inside connections later and either didn't have a 3-in.-to-4-in. coupling handy or didn't want the hassle of making a proper connexion.

Whatever the explanation, the articulation doesn't meet the plumbing lawmaking and was spring to leak. Three-inch pipe doesn't fit tightly into iv-in. Caulk has to make full about a ane/iv-in. gap all effectually. In addition, this joint creates a ledge within the pipe where water from rainfall tin collect. As you lot might wait, when the caulk eventually fails, a trickle of water volition leak through and baste down through the ceiling below.

The easiest solution is to saw out the caulked joint, removing near 1 in. of pipe (two cuts). Then either mucilage in a proper iii-in.-to-4-in. PVC coupling or insert a 3-in.-to- 4-in. banded rubber fitting. Our plumbing consultants prefer the banded plumbing fixtures because gluing the large PVC plumbing equipment in a tight attic space can be difficult, and the solvent fumes in PVC cement can get dangerously intense. (If you use the cement, be certain to habiliment a respirator with organic solvent cartridges.) The banded plumbing equipment has a metallic sleeve surrounding a condom gasket. You'll probably accept to go to a plumbing supply store to find the 3-in.-to-4-in. blazon.

If you work carefully, yous won't disturb the roof flashing. Withal, it'due south a good idea to spray the flashing area on your roof with a garden hose. And then check the attic to brand sure at that place are no other leaks.