kamkon Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Download Attachment: IMG_0045.jpg 1637.72 KB Looking to put laminate flooring down in the basement. However, what appears to be a cut PVC pipe filled with putty is preventing a level floor. Anyone know what this is and whether it can be grinded down? This was discovered after removing carpet and the padding. There is already a water drain about 15 ft away from this hole in the furnace room. It is located at the front of the house. Any help appreciated. Thx for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Could be another floor drain. Could be the builder stubbed out a drain for a future toilet. Is there a sewage pit nearby? Do you have a wider shot? I wouldn't cover it without knowing what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 If possible, put up an establishing pic showing us what the area looks like. From the closeup, it looks like a toilet flange that's been capped with a little mortar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Looks like lettering imprinted into the plug, but I can't make out what it says. Try another picture with a flashlight shining across the face to highlight the lettering. What's the age of the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 It's not lettering. It's a boot print in putty. Possibly a pre-installed penetration point in case a radon mitigation system is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Yeah, boot print. Hadn't thought of a radon prep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamkon Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 The centre of the hole is ~7"" from the wall. I've included pictures with a quarter next to the hole and 1 foot tape measure for scale. Carpet/underpad was covering this hole for the last 7 years. The previous owner (house is less than 12 years old) did not have toilet in this location. Water drain is about 15' away in furnace room. Hole is located at front of house in basement. Trying to determine whether its safe to remove putty and grind down pipe for laminate install (less than 5mm is probably all that is required for grinding). Thanks again for the help. Click to Enlarge 29.14 KB Click to Enlarge 33.78 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I think Bill is right. Passive radon vent was required by code in NJ 12 years ago (most likely was also required where you are). Did you do a radon test yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Meiland Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 What's to stop you from digging out the putty and seeing if the pipe goes anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I think Kibbel got it; radon vent. Yeah, dig out the putty, see what's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I think Bill is right. Passive radon vent was required by code in NJ 12 years ago Depending which Tier you're located in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I vote for foundation drain tile "t" connection. We see them quite often, but on water control systems. The distance from wall is a clue for me - too close for radon as it is too close to footing. This is an outside wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I think Bill is right. Passive radon vent was required by code in NJ 12 years ago Depending which Tier you're located in. Neal- We require them in all of the houses we design. It is an insignificant cost to install the pipe at the time of construction compared to a retrofit. It also looks better than a pipe running along the side of a new house. Radon gas does not know where people have placed the Tiers. I have found radon level numbers above guideline thresholds in all Tiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Steven, How do you size the pipe? you design all houses with sand, gravel, drain and visquene? Does NJ have min cfm for fans? Not trying to be nutty here, just really am interested because of your skill set. PS: If the radon attended public school it likely does not know where the tier border is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Steven, How do you size the pipe? you design all houses with sand, gravel, drain and visquene? Does NJ have min cfm for fans? Not trying to be nutty here, just really am interested because of your skill set. PS: If the radon attended public school it likely does not know where the tier border is! Les, I can't remember the last house we designed that did not have a basement. The fan is not required as part of the passive radon system. Basically, the piping system is installed and ready to be activated. There is a provision for a fan but it is not installed unless needed. Here is a link for you to read about NJ and Radon: http://www.nj.gov/dep/rpp/radon/newcon.htm There is a separate Radon Hazard Sub-Code as part of the building code in NJ. To answer your question simply, the size of the basement determines the amount of vertical radon pipes that are required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 In IL a passive radon system will be required in all new construction homes starting June 2013. http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1461 ... wners.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 A radon system whether in use or partially installed has to be labeled so that no one installs drainage on it. Pull the putty and look in to see what's inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamkon Posted September 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Thanks everybody for all your help. I am inclined to vote for radon system myself. Will remove putty to try to confirm this. I have also sent the question and pics to builder for their answer - hopefully they reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emalernee Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 As it is at the front of the house, could it be a clean-out plug for the sanitary sewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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