How should the bathroom vent tubing be properly connected to prevent water leaks and is the current setup safe?
Asked by Francine Denis 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 9, 2024
Water was coming into our bathroom, so I went up into the attic and discovered that the 4-inch vent tubing had multiple holes, causing leaks into the bathroom ceiling.
I’m not sure how this should be set up and I’m hoping to get advice from someone who does. It seems like the T connection is damaged, which is why they used the black rubber converter/connector.
It appears that the vent stack may have originally been directly connected to where the black rubber connector is now. How should this be properly configured? Is it acceptable for the vent tubing to be running downward as shown in the picture?
I recommend getting a home plumbing book to help tackle this messy situation. It’s too complicated to diagnose without more information. You have the ability to fix it, but you’ll need more knowledge than what we can provide here.
You might want to consider calling a plumber to take care of this issue professionally 😱, as you could be bringing toxic sewer gases into your home.
Wow, that photo is full of yikes. You might want to consider calling a plumber, it could end up being more cost-effective.
Is it really worth it to pay a plumber instead of doing the PVC work myself? It seems like a bit of a stretch.
If your vents are set up like that, it sounds like a DIY project gone wrong. It’s best to hire a plumber who can handle the necessary permits, accurately identify issues, and make the proper fixes. Even though you might want to tackle it yourself, it’s important to acknowledge when it’s beyond your expertise. Your home’s safety is at risk. Properly done, you would follow the lines and add more vents that extend through the roof. Consider getting a plumber to provide an estimate at the very least. This can help you plan out your repairs effectively.
Fixing it is simple. I work as a plumber
4″ rubber fernco coupling. Just slip it on, just like before. Instead of using flex, grab some new pvc pipe and two 90-degree elbows.
Connect the pipe to the coupling. Glue a 90 onto it.
Attach a new pipe section over the glued 90.
Install another 90 to turn upwards, and extend the pipe through the roof.
Extend it 18″ above the roof.
Secure the pipe using all-around strapping to the roof rafter
Right here! Super simple honestly. Also, not too expensive of a solution.
Thanks a lot, !
I totally agree. It may seem like a bigger issue than it really is. My suggestion would be to opt for 45-degree angles instead of 90-degree angles to maintain a consistent slope.
Hey, if you’re working as a plumber then you should really have a better understanding or complete your training. Let me tell you, connecting a bathroom exhaust vent to a plumbing vent is a big no-no. It’s risky and not a smart move.
I’m a bit confused.
Could you provide more context for what you’re referring to?
To clarify, I never mentioned any of that.
Please go back and carefully read all of my previous messages.
Sorry for being direct.
I didn’t mention anything about the bathroom fan ventilation.
I specifically said to use a Fernco clamp on the PVC pipe. Add a pipe, a 90-degree angle, more pipe, and another pipe going up and out of the house, extending at least 18 inches.
I never recommended using flexible venting.
It seems like reading comprehension might not be your strong suit.
Yeah, I already knew that. 🤣 That’s what made me realize you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Is explaining that the plumbing vent is specifically designed for plumbing purposes only. Mixing it with any other type of vent line can cause sewer gas to escape into the wrong room.
This
Can’t believe the sloppy job done
It seems like it’s the main stack. These are all plumbing vents. The fan exhaust is not included in this setup.
I just noticed they used the dryer vent hose for the repair, that’s interesting. What a creative way to use a dryer venting hose, I doubt they even know what a plumbing license looks like.
Oh wow, can you imagine if that was your house? Who knows what other “solutions” they came up with.
Would soon reap the benefits of his handiwork once the house began to give off a foul odor reminiscent of a sewer or septic tank.
This is probably one of the worst venting setups I’ve seen. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact a plumber for help.
Why is there a bendy foil pipe going into the vent?
What the heck
It’s still not correct, even if it was made of PVC instead of dryer flex pipe.
Make sure to start by inspecting the roof vent for any signs of damage that could be allowing water to enter.
I think the previous roofer who worked on it broke it because it wasn’t properly supported from the inside. Having the vent go down like that is not good — it creates a trap that will collect moisture and eventually clog, blocking the vent (or corroding that poor quality flex). I would remove the damaged sections and use all pvc, but a fernco to pvc connection will also do the job. Ensure the new pvc line is slightly sloped upwards so any moisture can flow back down the stack. And reinforce the vent stack so that pushing down from the outside won’t break it again.
Thank you, !
I have thoroughly checked everything and it appears that you are indeed right about the roofer and the broken pipe. Everything seems to match up. I will proceed with the rebuild.
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The issue lies with that dryer vent setup. Rainwater trickles down the vent pipe from the roof and gets stuck in the dryer vent due to the uphill slope. Whoever did this really messed up. The best solution is to replace the damaged 4-way fitting and extend the vent pipe straight up through the roof. However, a quicker fix involves extending a piece of 3″ PVC pipe just past the marked line. Use a rubber coupling to seal below the broken part of the 4-way and connect the 3″ pipe to the 4″ pipe going through the roof. You’ll need a 3″ elbow, a 3×4 reducing coupling, and a 4″ elbow. Remember, water always flows downhill. If you’re not familiar with working with PVC, you can either watch some YouTube tutorials and practice a bit or simply hire a plumber.
This situation is crazy. Haha, my bad. You should definitely replace that flexible dryer vent material with 4″ PVC. Make sure to use 45° joints to maintain a positive slope throughout. Consider using rubber fernco connections at the ends. Just be careful to avoid any low spots where water can accumulate.
😝
Well sometimes they might need a professional, the person who did this one definitely did!
But fixing it is not too difficult, even if it was a poorly done DIY project
So, the vent is going uphill. Why is the tee venting as well? The water is pooling in the downhill section of the vent. It’s a poor job, to be honest. It needs to be completely replaced, in my opinion. Is this your sanitary pipe vent? If it is, then it needs to be fixed.
You guys know there’s no trap in a main vent, right? Haha
Hey, Halo, did you notice how that flex droops down there? It’s kinda funny, isn’t it? 😜
They sliced into the vent stack for the bathroom fan. Not good
Isn’t that just lovely. Someone smashed your things and then just patched it up
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What the heck is that? If there’s any opening in the plumbing, it can allow sewer gas to enter the house. This can be extremely dangerous. Having a PVC vent is fine, but having a PVC vent connected to a bathroom vent duct is not. If there are broken plumbing fixtures, refer back to line 2. Let me repeat, go back to line two. Pay close attention to the second sentence. It’s crucial to call a plumber.