Soil stacks venting into the loft

Tom Pickles · 2010-12-23T19:36:33+00:00

I've always been puzzled as to where the soil stacks vented in our 2001 build detached house as all stacks are internal, but no external pipe protruding from the roof or vent tiles on the roof. I have just been in the loft and stumbled upon an open 100mm elbow which I believe is the vent for the soil stack from one side of the house, servicing the downstairs loo and 1st floor bathroom. There is another stack on the other side of the house for the utility and en-suite, so I reckon this is the same.I noticed also that the loft space wasn't that cold considering the outside temp of the last couple of weeks, but it has pretty good levels of loft insulation. And also, there has been an unknown smell in the loft at times. Not necessarily a bad smell, but an unexpected one nonetheless. Perhaps familiar with stagnant water or suchlike.Is it a good idea just to have an open ended vent on the soil stacks (being just 90deg elbows) into the loft?Will the open vent contribute to heating the loft space and is it really a good idea for it to be heating the loft right now (am I losing heat from the house?)?Will it cause any problems if I remove the elbows and replace with air admittance valves?Cheers

Dec 23, 2010 24 Replies

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Tom Pickles 15 years ago

We're only covered by NHBC if it doesn't comply to the regs *and* there's an imminent danger to the occupants health and safety. I don't think our health and safety is at risk.

To quote from their claims guidelines, section 4 of the doc:

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"If there is a present or imminent danger to the physical health and safety of the occupants of your Home because it does not comply with the Building Regulations that applied to its construction, conversion or renovation in relation to the following specified Building Regulations, we will pay you the Cost of the necessary repairs"

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Doctor Drivel 15 years ago

It depends on where in the sofit. On a blank wall is fine.

They put roof vent tiles these days.

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Doctor Drivel 15 years ago

Height and horizontal distance above an "opening window".

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Doctor Drivel 15 years ago

Remove the stack above the toilet and fit HepVo traps on bath, basins and sinks.

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Phil L 15 years ago

They did in those days too, they've just skimped and left them off

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