Air admittance valve

Anonymous · #1 IP: 68.169.85.128 April 8th, 2003, 04:57 PM

I am putting a kitchen sink under a window and would like to simplify the install with an AAV. I know in the past AAV were accepted by many major building codes but many local officials still did not accept them.

Is this still the case? I would use a high quality AAV such as Studor.

Thanks
Jeff

**Wgoodrich** · #2 IP: 148.78.243.122 April 8th, 2003, 05:39 PM

A lot of inspectors still DO NOT LIKE AIR ADMITTANCE VALVES. However as long as the valve is installed above the highest inlet of the drain [sink drain] and always accessible then it may be used per the residential building codes. See Article P3114 of the International Residential Code. It also appears in the older Cabo residential building code same manner.

Hope this helps

Wg

Anonymous · #3 IP: 68.169.85.128 April 22nd, 2003, 05:37 PM

Why are AAV not liked? Are they inferior to a vent?

Thanks
Jeff

**Wgoodrich** · #4 IP: 148.78.243.123 April 22nd, 2003, 07:03 PM

Kind of like a tough man, plumbers look at air admittance valves to be a sign of weakness in their skill or taking a short cut. Comes from pride and long time plumbing habits.

There is a question of air admittance valves failing and inviting methane gas to enter the house if that valve flapper hardens and fails. If fear of that the valves are not expensive just change it every decade and the flapper won't get old.

Just a pride thing in my opinion. I have seen them used periodically for years especially in remodeling. Have not seen problems caused by them.

Good Luck

Wg

Anonymous · #5 IP: 68.169.85.128 April 28th, 2003, 06:44 PM

I dont like the idea of the AAV, but I am having trouble coming up with any other solutions.

Below are the possibilities that dont seem to work well:

Std Vent
The sink is in an exterior 2x4 wall with a basement below. There is not room in the wall for the drain pipe to clear the ledger board below. If I run the drain up thru the floor I will have to 45 the vent back into the wall. This would not be a very clean install and I would have to cut a large opening in the back of the cabinet.

Combination Drain and Vent
Would work but would like a garbage disposal which I believe is not permited.

Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jeff