swolsen

I just got back from the building department for Colonie, NY where these houses are. The Residential Builing Inspector handed me a sheet with this very reqirement on it. http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... DWV001.pdf He did say that this is still in practice today. I told him of my concern with regard to sewer gases venting into windows above these types of vents and asked him what the purpose of this vent was for. He did not seem to know and directed me to the sewer department. I spoke to the head sewer engineer at the sewer department and he told me that the sewer department's juridiction stops just before the home and reiterated the fact that it was a vent but could not elaborate on why it is installed in the wall. From the diagram it looks as if it is a fresh air inlet and not an outlet. I would fathom that the through the roof vents need a source to draw the air from in order to vent the interiors plumbing since it can no longer get that draw from the street sewer having the house trap installed.

Hi Chad, For both of these homes, at the time, I did not detect any sewage gasses emanating from either vent. I am wondering if it has to do with the whole house trap. I am sure there must be some venting at one time or another, maybe as fixtures are being used.[:-sour] I did neglect to mention that both of these houses do have vent stacks through the roof in addition to these side wall vents.

This particular home was built in 1990. Here is the trap that Brandon was referring to, pointed to by the red arrow. The blue arrow points to the pipe that extends to the outside vent in my original post. http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... Pic033.jpg This is a house that was built in 1993 in a nearby development. It too has the same type of trap with the vent pipe extending through the wall's band joist in the front of the building. http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 529_p1.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 347_p2.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 528_p3.jpg I learn something new every day.

Hello Mike, No that is not the chimney. Just brick veneer from the front west side of the home. The fireplace utilizes a metal flue up through the roof in the middle between the house and an addition and has a chase where it extends from the roofline. Brandon, I think you may have it. That is near where the sewer line exits the building. Thanks for the response. I have seen these before but never thought to ask until now. Thanks Brandon.

Can anyone tell me what this is used for? To me it looks like a vent that would allow makeup combustion air for the furnace and water heater. Not sure. I did not notice where it came in on the inside but it caught my attention as I came across it from the outside. [:-magnify http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... Pic069.jpg

I have a customer that has a WH that is used as a radiant heating system for a sun room. It has a mechanical vent for exhuast and a circulator that pumps the heated water through PEX tubing in the slab. Pretty slick.

In my state the seller is required to disclose all known problems or defects. I also feel that the report I write is a confidential report for the intended party. With that said, my knowledge of a previous defect may not be confidential if the intent to conceal that knowledge is a violation of law. I think the best approach would be to consult a real estate attorney when a conflict arises such as one that Brandon describes.

Hi Chad, Hmmm, you definately have a point. It may not be a restriction as such. I am wondering now if the concern would be more with if someone was standing next to the pipe when it discharged, resulting in a "slash back" of heated water, scalding the victim. Thinking along the lines of when you put your thumb on the end of a hose to restrict the water the effect is it shoots out further.

Hi Rich, Thanks for the info on IRC. Actually I know about the 6" or less requirement. My question was more inline with the closeness to the floor and it being an obstruction. The IRC did not seem to be explicit on this but as Mike had pointed out; if the termination is closer than the diameter of the pipe then it is a restriction therefore a concern.

Hey Mike, Just what I was thinking. Thanks for the confirmation. I appreciate it.

Hello all, I know that TPR valves on a water heater is suppose to terminate within 6" of the floor. Can anyone tell me if there is a minimum? I came across one that is 1 cm from the floor. This does not seem right to me. http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 8_tpr1.jpg Thanks in advance.

I agree with Mike, that looks like Mylar and should not be used in that application.

Hello Brandon, Yes, I agree with you on both the mold and moss. I do not know if the mold is active but will inform them to use the BoraCare to be sure. Good hearing from you.

Roof shingle asphalt on both, original house was installed in 1986 and the new addition roof is 7 years. Wood and mold are bone dry, no moisture. Soffits are blocked on the entire north side since the addition is full length of house. There is however moss on the shingles on north side of the original roof only. As for the nails, you can see in the pictures they are not rusted. Thank you guys for all the input.

Hey Chad, Jim, Mike, Yes mold is more what I was thinking. I did scratch and sniff, "no pun intended", but did not detect any musty smell. House is 1940 colonial two story that faces south with a new addition on the north end added 7 years ago. The new addition is also two stories making it a cross gable. The second floor in that area has vaulted ceilings and I see no problem there. I was thinking that when they built the new addition it now blocks the old soffits vents causing a stagnation in that area. Thanks for the feed back guys Scott Olsen

I came across a house on Friday that had a similar black staining on the underside of the sheathing and attic walls but only on the north side of the house. At first I thought charring but realized that it was something else. Mine differs a little since there are a few sections where the blackness is flaking off. http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3113.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3114.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3115.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3118.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3120.jpg http://tijonline.com/forum/uploads/swol ... 0_3121.jpg Scott Olsen