Rocknroj
Member
Good day and thanks for reading.
I have problem bathtub that seems to be venting mainly from the overflow. The drain gives off a foul odor in spite of my many best efforts with enzymatics, plumbing snake, hot water, plunger,baking soda and vinegar, even caustics. The clearing efforts have been repeated many times. It seems that smells come out of the overflow when water is run.
I used my tone generator as well as my ears to determine where the pipes are running.
The vent appears to be about 7 1/2 feet from the trap. The drain is 1.5".. From what I have read this is way too far, and if the slope is greater than 1/4" per foot its even worse.
The drain runs horizontally from the trap about 5 ft, makes a 90 degree horizontal bend, and runs another 2.5ft horizontally before connecting to the vertical drain and vent.
If I fill the tub, and seal the overflow using a plunger I get minimal draining.. remove the plunger from the overflow and the tub drains. I can put a water hose down the overflow and run it full blast all day with no backup problems,.
I am thinking an additional vent is in order, and installing an air admittance valve perhaps 3 1/2 feet or so from the p-trap.
Does it sound like I am on the right track here or do my problems lie elsewhere? I am guessing that the odor problems are related to the inadequate venting leading to inadequate draining and stuff sitting in the pipe all the time..
I hope I explained this clearly. . Perhaps a diagram later..
I have worked to clear all the drains in the house and don't know of any backup problems now. Also I have had guys
on the roof running water and plumbing snakes down the vents to check for obstructions.
Thanks for the advice.
I have problem bathtub that seems to be venting mainly from the overflow. The drain gives off a foul odor in spite of my many best efforts with enzymatics, plumbing snake, hot water, plunger,baking soda and vinegar, even caustics. The clearing efforts have been repeated many times. It seems that smells come out of the overflow when water is run.
I used my tone generator as well as my ears to determine where the pipes are running.
The vent appears to be about 7 1/2 feet from the trap. The drain is 1.5".. From what I have read this is way too far, and if the slope is greater than 1/4" per foot its even worse.
The drain runs horizontally from the trap about 5 ft, makes a 90 degree horizontal bend, and runs another 2.5ft horizontally before connecting to the vertical drain and vent.
If I fill the tub, and seal the overflow using a plunger I get minimal draining.. remove the plunger from the overflow and the tub drains. I can put a water hose down the overflow and run it full blast all day with no backup problems,.
I am thinking an additional vent is in order, and installing an air admittance valve perhaps 3 1/2 feet or so from the p-trap.
Does it sound like I am on the right track here or do my problems lie elsewhere? I am guessing that the odor problems are related to the inadequate venting leading to inadequate draining and stuff sitting in the pipe all the time..
I hope I explained this clearly. . Perhaps a diagram later..
I have worked to clear all the drains in the house and don't know of any backup problems now. Also I have had guys
on the roof running water and plumbing snakes down the vents to check for obstructions.
Thanks for the advice.
