sewage vent in bathroom

[sebastienj]

Hi,

I recently bought a flat in a building block built 15 years ago. Since I moved in there has been a smell of sewage. After putting silicon on pipes connection the smell was still there. I finally (after making a hole in one of the walls) discovered that the sewage vent was behind this wall. The smell is indeed coming out ofthis vent. After reading websites, my understanding is that this vent should on the outside not on the inside.
I am tempted to close the pipe by replacing the vent with a cap.
I could also make the building management company aware of this. But I am worried that they might stop to close the pipe if I do so. However I understand that these gases are dangerous as they can be inflamable so I am wandering if the management company does not obligation in making this right and fix it. However I do not want to be charge for it.

Can someone advise me?

Many thanks
Seb

 

[turnpin]

Contact the managment company as soon as possible this is dangerous and it is up to them to fix ....if they dont seem bothered contact environmental health department at the local council......oh and welcome to the forum..regards Turnpin:hurray:

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Sounds to me like the plumber forgot to put an Automatic Air Vent on the stub stack (AAV)
i think that although this is easily sorted your best bet is to get the maintenance people just to check it is what you say it is.

 

[SimonG]

Seen that before. All boxed in and just an open 4" pipe.

If it is an aav the boxing will need ventilation.

 

[Meady]

^^^^
i think they need to tell site builders this, we put a soil pipe in with a Durgo on it and they wrap a load of fibreglass round it and then box it in. Don't think that's going to allow much air movement

 

[acecharly]

If its flats the stack is possibly vented at the top and you have no durgo?

 

[AWheating]

They need to cut out a hole at the top of the pipe and fit/replace the auto air vents and the put an air vent grill over the hole they have made to ensure the auto air vent can work correctly and can be accessed in the future.

its not uncommon for problems like this to happen. I've even had it where my auto air vents have been removed by other trades to make the boxing fit better around the pipe. All auto air vents should be ventilated and accessible to enable them to be changed.

 

[sebastienj]

Thanks for all the responses.
What would happen if I was to replace the vent by a plug?

 

[AWheating]

you may lose your trap seals on your sanitary stinking out the bathroom. A durgo dont cost much more than a cap.

 

[sebastienj]

I bought a durgo and it's working nicely. Thanks for the advice.

 

[turnpin]

I bought a durgo and it's working nicely. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for letting us know how you got on ....regards Turnpin:yes: