Plumbing Vent Question

[snorky18]

For the record, I wish we had a plumbing subforum. I had trouble determining where to post this one.

Working in the attic and just found where a vent stack had sheared off just below the roofline.

Naturally, it's a low pitch roof (3:12?), out where there's maybe 8" between bottom of roof rafter and top of ceiling joists.

What's the easiest way to repair this? Drill out from above through the roof with one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HE5E0A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mires]

You can use the socket saver but you really need to cut the rest of the broken piece of pipe flush with the hub first.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I don't see any sign of primer or glue on that fitting. Any chance you can get on the roof and pull up on it to see if it might not have been glued? If you would be so lucky, repairing from the roof will be a cinch. Even if it is glued, you might be able to cut the pipe flush with the roof, use an oscillating saw to cut vertically into the inner pipe that goes into the t and then use a narrow chisel to break the bond, salvaging the t. You might have to do some hand cleanup of the inside of the fitting before inserting a new length of pipe. It looks like the hole through the roof may be a little too small.

 

[Kaizen]

That *****. If it’s not warm where you are I’d tape it till spring. I’d jump right to just cutting it all out and replacing both fittings


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[fountain]

Cut it off flush with hub and you may be able
To use one of these to bore out the pipe. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HE8F0G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[DieselNut88]

What fitting is below the T? Another T? I would cut below that and use a couple couplings, new pipe through the roof. Easy.

 

[weadjust]

I would JB Weld the vent pipe and call it a day

 

[RVDan]

I'd just put some spray foam around it and call it done.

I'm lazy.

 

[Dagny]

Bet it's the foam core **** else it wouldn't have broke.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm thinking that there's not enough clearance at the roof deck for movement in the pvc, from movement from heat/cold and that's why it broke.
a fast fix would be a fernco over the ty and pipe .
a proper fix , I would cut out the fittings, and re do as mentioned above.
I would also open up the roof deck a bit to allow movement in the pipe

 

[59 wagon man]

duct tape or flex seal. it's only a vent

 

[flat350]

Leave it be until it's warmer,it's foam core pipe,you can see the "not for pressure" writing on the 2" horizontal going to the stack.

 

[Radix2]

I doubt that it broke from any expansion issues. It broke when someone on the roof kicked it, hit it, tripped on it. Could have been the last time...or the day after it was first built.

IMO.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Peel back insulation on bottom. There is probably some pipe left. I would cut that whole t and adapter below it right out. Then I would I would re-pipe that small area. For another 30mins of work to do it right is worth it.

Before cutting try pulling hard and twisting. I don’t see primer so you might get lucky. Might not even be glued.

 

[brownbagg]

since its a vent, you could leave it forever if you wanted. Myself i would see if something would fit inside the broken part

 

[ForceFed70]

No suggestions - just a question. That looks like PVC pipe. Never seen PVC used - generally ABS like the drain lines. Is PVC allowed? ABS is certainly stronger and may not have broken in the 1st place.

 

[scottydosnntkno]

No suggestions - just a question. That looks like PVC pipe. Never seen PVC used - generally ABS like the drain lines. Is PVC allowed? ABS is certainly stronger and may not have broken in the 1st place.

Almost every house in America in most regions uses pvc for the dwv system

 

[manwithtools]

Do you guys suggesting replacing the fitting notice the location of that fitting? The OP states low pitch roof and close to the eave - probably over the top plate of the wall as well. Might not be enough room to work on it from the attic at all. If there is, it's gigantic pain in the ***.

I'd try to slip something inside of it from outside the roof. All that's needed is to seal it so it still works as a vent. Nothing important about that repair other than keeping sewer gases out of the attic where they might seep back into the living space.

 

[yeldogt]

Why not primer well to clean everything around the crack .........and glue the pipe ? It's PVC .. should glue together. They also make that epoxy tape stuff that bonds to itself - it's only a vent.

My guess is someone kicked it ..... think you are opening a can of worms .. try simple first.

If feeling bold.

What's the roof flange look like? If it's rubber -- my guess is you could cut the pipe off from inside the house above the fitting and working from outside through the flange ..pry out the pipe from the fitting. Make many cuts -- heat gun .. maybe some primer.

Install a new length of pipe into the same fitting.

Obviously with room to work -- cutting it all out and replacing is the easiest. Looks like little room to work.

 

[KenC]

I don't see any sign of primer or glue on that fitting. Any chance you can get on the roof and pull up on it to see if it might not have been glued? If you would be so lucky, repairing from the roof will be a cinch. Even if it is glued, you might be able to cut the pipe flush with the roof, use an oscillating saw to cut vertically into the inner pipe that goes into the t and then use a narrow chisel to break the bond, salvaging the t. You might have to do some hand cleanup of the inside of the fitting before inserting a new length of pipe. It looks like the hole through the roof may be a little too small.

Yep, looks like they used an exact size drill or saw and cut at 90deg to the roof, not parallel to the pipe. Caused a real squeeze and offcenter pinch.

I'd cut the roof hole so it is about 3 or 4 inches smaller than the flashing. That's assuming you'll use a premade unit with the rubber gasket around the pipe. That'll give you enough room to do whatever you need from the top.

A hacksaw blade to cut internally in the stub in several places should allow you to break the pieces out. You can clean up with a sanding drum in your drill.