One thing that homeowners often wonder is, "does a kitchen sink need a vent"? Well, the answer is yes, kitchen sinks are in need of kitchen vents. All sinks need this vent, or they're not going to work properly. In general, a kitchen sink isn't going to be able to work as effectively as it should if it doesn't have a vent. Why is this essential?

Well, it's all because of the pressure. The pressure produced within the drain pipe as water flows within needs to be equalized, hence why it's so important. Without vents, the air won't be able to get into the vent, which means that it creates negative pressure within the system. It's far from ideal, as this is going to form a suction within the drain trap. When this happens, the suction is going to open up for sewer gases to wreak havoc on your home.

As you can see, this is far from an ideal situation. Chances are you probably have more questions about this, including the air admittance valve or the whole plumbing system in general. So, keep reading on as we talk about why your kitchen needs this vent and the importance of this plumbing fixture!

What is a Vent?

A plumbing vent, specifically sink vents, is one of the most important plumbing fixtures you can imagine for your plumbing system. What this does is create equalizing air pressure, as this prevents a vacuum effect from building up. If it weren't for sink vents, negative pressure (thanks to drain water) would be made, allowing sewer gases to enter your home. So, when it comes to these vents, what they do is enable air to enter the drain pipes. This helps with creating the flower that's needed.

Different Types of Vents

Did you know there are different types of vent pipes for your sink drains? Since there are so many different types of vents, you can count on all of these to prevent sewer gas. So, let's dive in to see the differences between each of these.

Traditional

Also known as a "true vent pipe," this vertical drain line travels from the roof but doesn't have any running water flowing. Instead, this fixture drain pipe is close to the stack and is instead on the top floor. It's known for its conveniences, something a lot of other vents tend to lack.

Air Admittance Valve (AAV)

Being relatively new, it's slowly being added to municipal codes. It's essentially replacing the vent pipe. The air admittance valves allow air to come in; this then shuts from gravity. This helps prevent sewer gas from escaping into the space. It's essentially being used for venting several different fixtures.

Though this all depends on code constructions as well as the size of the unit. If you're interested in getting this within your home, you may need to look to see if this is permitted.

Other Types

Did you know there were other types of vents available? No one wants to allow sewer gas into their home, but you can keep the foul odors out with these additional options! With all of these, you'll need to look into local codes first to see if they're allowed in your area. It's all going to depend on what your municipality's building codes are. Each of these is different, so if you're needing to install or do a replacement, then you may want to consider these too!

Recent pipe (AUXILLARY VENT)

Also known as the "auxiliary vent pipe," this is connected to the drain line that's near the fixture. Generally speaking, this attaches to the main vent stack. The location for the event pipe is great as it can attach from behind the fixture drains or from the horizontal drain line too.

Common Vent

The common vent is used for connecting fixtures from two opposing sides. Known as the "sanitary cross," this is usually seen on sinks that are sitting next to one another.

Wet Vent

The wet venting, also known as "moist vent line," is when a tub is located around a stack. It essentially serves as a vent and a waste pipe at the same time. It's meant to protect the drain's trap bend for multiple fixtures while keeping it to one system. Needless to say, this vent line packs quite the punch!

Loop vent

The loop vent system is a P-trap bend fixture that needs a vent pipe to run underneath the floor. This is mostly used for kitchen island sinks. This traps and forms a loop (usually hidden in a cabinet), and then it goes underneath to the floor.

How Does a Sink Vent Work?

When it comes to plumbing systems for the home, the drain waste vent for kitchen sinks is meant to remove sewer gasses and greywater from being in the home. This also allows room air to be odorless, and the fresh air that goes into the system helps the pipe drainage too. In general, this is going to help the water flow for your plumbing.

When it comes to the drain lines for kitchen sinks, all homes have them horizontally back of the wall. This is where the sanitary tee fits, which helps open air into the system. This is necessary for the external vent pipe for your kitchen's plumbing.

How Do You Vent a Kitchen Sink?

If you're looking to do a DIY where you vent a kitchen sink, then you're in for luck. However, you need to remember that there are recommended plumbing codes, and some of these even have specific requirements, such as getting the placement right and the pipe size right too. So, look into the following so you know what you need to do:

Determine the Appropriate Location for the Vent

The location is going to be so important, as this can cause major issues, from slow drainage to potential gurgling sounds too. So, it's best to avoid all this and ensure you choose the best location for the vent. What can you do if the plumbing fixture is too far from the main building vent stack? In cases where this may happen, it's best to have some vent stack connection pipes. In general, you're going to want to install the vent at five feet at the very maximum. Make sure to use measuring tape to determine the most suitable location.

Connect the Sanitary Tee to the Sink Drain Pipe

When you're connecting the sanitary tee to the sink drain pipe, you're going to want to make sure there is enough room for the sink trap. Ideally, the height needs to be around 18 inches.

Join the Vent Pipe to the Tee

Afterward, you'll need to connect the horizontal trap arm to the sanitary tee (also known as a Y-fitting). This will then transition into the vertical pipe vent). The sanitary tee needs to be faced down as it sweeps towards the drain. You'll need to consider the diameter of the vent pipe before beginning. If the diameter is too small, then you'll need to tighten the fitting by using glue for the upper barrel.

Properly Route and Secure the Vent Pipe

Up next, you'll need to secure the vent pipe; as stated above, if the diameter is too big, then it's best to use glue to reduce it. You should also glue a short-length pipe onto the outlet in a 45-degree bend.

Take Professional Help

Not everyone has the skills of a plumber, and it's something you don't have to worry about either. Adding a vent to a kitchen sink can have its challenges, and if you're not accustomed to it, it will make it worse. So instead, why not get professional help? This way, you can count on everything getting done correctly, saving you all the headaches!

What Happens if You Don't Vent a Sink?

Still not convinced that a vent is needed for sinks? Well, if you have a kitchen sink without a vent, you can count on poor drainage. Plus, you're not going to be able to prevent sewer gases from getting into your home. Needless to say, your home is going to smell, but that's not all. Vents help prevent byproducts, dirty water, and human waste from staying in the pipes. Without the vent, there isn't going to be pressure to push out waste, and the gases will linger.

You need to keep in mind it's not just about foul smells; it can be dangerous for everyone living there. It can cause harmful illnesses as well as lead to death. If you're suspicious you lack a vent for your sink, check to see if there is an empty toilet bowl, slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and odors. These four signs will give you a clear indication.

Vent Experts & Installation Questions

Overall, it's vital to see the importance of vents for your kitchen sinks, but for your plumbing in general. Without these, harmful sewer gas would be released, something you're going to want to avoid. If you're installing a new sink or want to check the drainage for your sink, then you can to the right place! (then information about why the client is a good fit) (Will need information about the client and their services to complete this)