Venting Your Plumbing

If you are installing new plumbing or replacing your old plumbing you might want to do some research on Studor vents.

Studor vents can be used instead of the standard through the roof venting.  The more holes you put in your roof the more chances you have for leaks.  They are handy in a remodel because sometimes you just don't have the room to run a pipe up through the roof or simply don't want to tear out drywall and cut through studs to do so.

They work by allowing air to come into the pipes you use for drainage and venting and they equalize the pressure and when the water drains out there is a valve that traps and prevents the sewer gasses from entering your home.  Once the draining stops, gravity close the valve. It’s pretty simple, affordable and they work.

We installed Studor vents on both our tubs and sinks in the bathrooms and they have been operating flawlessly for two years now.  They are super easy to install, they just go on top of your drain pipe vents with the black plumbers glue.  They come with easy instructions and are available at the hardware or plumbing store.

They are controversial and not code approved all areas so be sure to check with your local inspector before you install them.  I have heard that is because they can (and do) fail.  However, you put in an access door so you can maintain or change them if you need to.  If they fail you will know it pretty quick and sewer gasses are hard to miss. 

We bought a few extras and have them in the workshop “just in case” because you know that if and when they do fail it will be at the most inconvenient time when the shops are closed.  

This is a small price to pay for not having to punch yet another hole in your roof.