How To Vent A Toilet In 4 Easy Ways?

Rate this post

Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by acechapman

Most people don’t know what venting is until they have to install a new toilet. So, let’s find out the process of how to vent a toilet.

Venting is the process by which your toilet eliminates bad odors from what it flushes down. But, how far away can it be from your toilet’s toilet?

We’ll help you determine the best distance for ventilation.

Does The Toilet Need Venting?

Absolutely! The following reasons will make your toilet need a vent:

Lets the Sewer Gases Escape

When you flush your toilet, two things occur. The first is that the water pressure and gravity allow water and waste to flow down. Then, the vent pipes allow the waste gases from the toilet to escape.

Proper venting will ensure that your home and toilet are conditioned with fresh air. Poor venting is a problem with push-button toilet flushes and can cause unpleasant odors inside.

Protects the trap seals

This is the main reason for toilet venting. The trap seal in a drainage system allows water to flow through it and then closes up when the water passes through.

To ensure that a trap seal works properly and seals tight, then, you must protect the vent.

Siphonage and back pressure are the mainstays of most toilet drainage systems. Vents are used to balance the forces against trap seals. Also, vents can balance the air in the entire drainage system, allowing trap seals to work well.

Proper Drainage

Your toilet’s drainage system is designed to allow wastewater to flow properly. Imagine a situation where the water is not allowed to flow through the drainage system.

The bacteria in the sewer system will spread, creating a health risk. There will also be pollution of the environment, which can spread through the air.

Install a venting system to supply air to the drainage system. This will help prevent them from happening.

Reduce Drainage Noise

It’s not a good idea to have a drain system that draws everyone’s attention each time the toilet flushes.

The trap seals can perform at their best and the whole system is able to produce less noise when the toilet is flushing.

Reduces Clogging

Each drainage system needs enough water and oxygen to function properly. To clear the waste, some people will add pressure and air to the clogged drainage system. Vents help prevent clogging by providing water flow and sufficient air supply.

Properly venting a toilet requires knowledge of how to run the plumbing. Venting should begin at the plumbing stage. Clogs can lead to a lot of activities in the toilet, which could lead to damage and scratches. You can repair a scratched toilet bowl easily, but other repairs might not be as easy as a piece of cake.

how to vent a toilet

What Distance Can A Vent be From A Toilet?

There are different codes and standards that determine the distance a vent can be from a toilet. Here are some general guidelines:

  • According to the International Residential Code (IRC), the centerline of the toilet drain should be at least 30 inches away from the nearest wall or obstruction.
  • The National Plumbing Code of Canada recommends that the centerline of the toilet drain be at least 15 inches away from the centerline of a vent stack.
  • The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requires that the centerline of the toilet drain be at least 15 inches away from the centerline of a vent stack, and at least 2 inches above the flood rim of the highest fixture served by the vent.

It’s important to note that these are just general guidelines, and you should always check with your local building code to determine the specific requirements for your location.

What location should a plumbing vent be located?

Plumbing vents are typically located on the roof of a building, but they can also be located on an exterior wall if necessary. The primary function of a plumbing vent is to allow air to enter the plumbing system to balance the pressure and help drain waste and water more efficiently.

The location of the plumbing vent depends on several factors, including the layout of the plumbing system and the location of the fixtures that need to be vented. In general, it is best to locate the plumbing vent as close as possible to the fixtures it serves, to minimize the length of the vent pipe.

The plumbing vent should also be located in an area that is easily accessible for maintenance and repair, and it should be positioned in a way that is safe and aesthetically pleasing. It is important to follow local building codes and guidelines when selecting the location of a plumbing vent.

What is the Distance Between The Toilet Vent and the Toilet?

The distance between the vent and the nearest inlet of the toilet should be at least 3 feet. To ensure adequate ventilation, you may need to increase the distance between the toilet vent and the nearest inlet if you are running a long route or making multiple 90-degree turns.

How to Vent a Toilet?

These materials are necessary before you can start:

  • Hacksaw
  • Sandpaper 120 grit
  • Sanitary tee
  • Cement for plastic pipes
  • 1-1/2-inch or 2-inch plastic pipes
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Cold chisel
  • Hammer
  • 2 long-sweep elbows
  • Pipe fitting
  • Caulk

Run The Toilet Drain Pipe

The toilet drainage system begins at the toilet flange, which you can see from the surface.

Connect the flange to the toilet drain pipe 4″, and reduce it by 3 inches at the elbow. Thus, allowing for waste to flow freely.

Connect To The Waste Pipe

Reduce the elbow to 3″ at the end. Now, place a trap arm pipe horizontally on the ground from the flange. You can allow the trap to run in unrestricted plumbing codes for as long or as you like before connecting to your vent. The diagram of the toilet P trap below shows how it looks. It traps sewer gases from entering the home via a column of water.

The waste pipe must have a slope, just like the one in the above toilet plumbing layout. This allows the wastes to flow down and the gases to flow up.

The minimum distance for a toilet vent in areas subject to UPC regulations is 6 feet. To avoid having to remodel once authorities find out, adhere to the trap-vent distance requirements during installation.

Connect the “Y” Bend

Connect the “y” bend at the optimal distance. Then, connect the connector in a Y-shaped shape to the ground trap and vertical vent running upwards above the roof.

To ensure that the trap and vent function properly, glue the connector at an angle.

You can now reduce the vertical end to 2″, by connecting a reducer and leaving the trap edge at 3.

If you live in an area with UPC restrictions, don’t reduce the Y connector to 2″. Instead, keep the Y connector at 3.

Connect the Vent

Connect the vent pipe to the vertical “Y”, and allow it to extend enough to pass through the roof.

It is best to position the connector at the edge of the wall, where the vent will run. You can place the connector either on the outside or in the corner if you are using it internally.

Respect the UPC codes regarding vent size. However, the ideal pipe size should not be lower than 2.

Make sure you have all the fittings in place. Consider the gravity and gradient of your ground first.

Proper installation of the vent will ensure that the vent protects the trap seals.

Can a toilet vent be downstream?

No, a toilet vent cannot be downstream. A plumbing vent serves as an outlet for air to enter the plumbing system, and it must be located upstream of the fixtures it serves in order to work properly. If the vent is downstream of the fixtures, the flow of waste and water will be hindered, and the fixtures may not drain properly.

In a typical plumbing system, the vent is located on the roof or an exterior wall of the building, and it serves all of the fixtures on one or more floors. The vent should be positioned in a way that allows it to vent all of the fixtures it serves effectively, and it should be located as close as possible to the fixtures to minimize the length of the vent pipe.

how to vent a toilet

Can a vent be moved out of the side of the house?

It is generally possible to move a plumbing vent out of the side of a house, as long as there is an appropriate location for the vent and the necessary changes can be made to the plumbing system to accommodate the new location. However, there are several factors to consider before moving a plumbing vent, including:

  • The layout of the plumbing system: The vent must be located in a position that allows it to effectively vent all of the fixtures it serves, and the plumbing system may need to be modified to accommodate the new location of the vent.
  • Building codes and regulations: Local building codes and regulations may have specific requirements for the location of plumbing vents, and you will need to ensure that the new location of the vent complies with these requirements.
  • Cost and feasibility: Moving a plumbing vent can be a complex and costly process, depending on the location of the existing vent and the location of the new vent. It is important to carefully consider the cost and feasibility of the project before making any decisions.

If you are considering moving a plumbing vent, it is recommended that you consult with a professional plumber to determine the best course of action. They can assess your specific situation and help you determine the best way to move the vent if it is possible to do so.

Is it possible to vent a toilet and sink together?

Yes, as long as they are located in the same area and are connected to the same plumbing system. In a typical plumbing system, a vent serves all of the fixtures on one or more floors, and a single vent can often be used to vent a toilet and sink located in the same area.

However, there are a few factors to consider when venting a toilet and sink together:

  • Size of the vent: The size of the vent must be sufficient to accommodate the flow of air needed to vent both the toilet and sink. The vent must be large enough to allow the fixtures to drain properly and to prevent negative pressure in the plumbing system.
  • Building codes and regulations: Local building codes and regulations may have specific requirements for the size and location of plumbing vents, and you will need to ensure that the vent meets these requirements.

It is recommended that you consult with a professional plumber to determine the best way to vent a toilet and sink together, as there are many factors to consider and it is important to ensure that the plumbing system is properly vented to prevent problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 2 Toilets able to share the same vent?

Yes, as long as they are located in the same area and are connected to the same plumbing system. In a typical plumbing system, a single vent can serve all of the fixtures on one or more floors, and it is common for a vent to serve multiple toilets.

It is best for any toilet-toilet combination installation (or any two toilets sharing a single stack) to have separate stacks so that there is no mixing.

Venting is also necessary. Two openings on your roof are sufficient. These vents let air in and allow water to escape.

Is it necessary for a Vent Stack to go straight up?

A vital part of any plumbing system is the vent pipes. Vent pipes must be installed so that water does not back into them. This will prevent flooding in your home.

This will prevent the problem. A vent pipe should be positioned at the top of a drainpipe, either vertically or horizontally.

Can a Toilet Vent be Upstream?

It is not possible to say, but it could vary depending on how the installation is done.

The location of the toilet vent should be downstream of the fixture so that it serves to provide proper ventilation. It may not work properly if the vent is located upstream. Thus, causing your bathroom fixtures to have problems.

Wrapping Up

Installing flush toilets should not be placed closer to the vent stack opening than 12 inches. These guidelines should be noted by your contractor.

To prevent back-drafting, the toilet should not be more than 3 feet from the vent stack.

Pick A Toilet may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.

Leave a Comment