Soil stack

[md4300]

Hi there. Can anyone help me please? My neighbour has just built a loft conversion and I noticed that the soil stack is below the window level less than 10 feet from our loft conversion where my son sleeps. The soil stack appears from the ground to have a cap on top whereas ours has a balloon top and is above roof level. Are we in danger of smells and methane gases from my neigbours soil stack? Thank yoyu

 

[Mike Jackson]

Soil stacks should be 900mm above or greater than 3m from any opening into a dwelling. It sounds like they may have put an air admittance valve on the stack but these are not approved under Part H of the building regulations for external use.

 

[md4300]

Thank you. Do I need to inform Building Control of my Local Council? Also are we in any danger of smells or gases?

 

[JCplumb]

Have you noted your concerns with your neighbour? Even with an air admittance valve I wouldn't like someone elses (or my own) stack so close to a window at that low level. Maybe they'll do the honourable thing and extend it to lessen the chances.
I wouldn't go to building control as stated above it's distance from your window is within building regs.

 

[md4300]

Thanks again. Their scaffolding is down now. Even though the distance from our window is within building regs it sounds like they have broken the building regs for their own property?

 

[JCplumb]

Possibly, but I'd still have a word with them. Explain what you have learned here, it's a very very easy job for a plumber to extend this pipe (I'm guessing plastic). I'd even trust a builder/handyman up a ladder to sort this one out 🙂

 

[Bernie2]

You can get external air admittance valves. Thing is they have a moving part which can stick and let gases out.
Buildings Regs Guidance document H will tell you what you want to know, free download from government planning portal. If you find the answer in there and can quote it, your in with a chance of getting something done or finding out if its okay.

 

[md4300]

Thank you so much again. If they won't do anything as I am sure the Loft Co that did it will tell them it is fine do I have anything to worry about? Looking up I can't judge how many metres it is away from our first window. If I then go to the Council they will know it was me and could cause bad feeling? On their original plans which we have a copy of it shows the soil stack above the dormer roof like ours.

 

[SimonG]

It'll be an external (or should be) air admittance valve as bernie2 as stated. Not a fan of them and it's actually cheaper to extend the pipe and stick a birdcage on top.

 

[md4300]

Thank you Bernie. I have had a quick look and it is as JCplumb says about the distance and height but doesn't seem to mention the external air admittance valves?

 

[md4300]

Thanks Simon. What would you do now? If I speak to her she will just consult the Loft Co who will tell her it's fine and then if I go to the Council she will know it is me. My primary concern is to the health and comfort of my son who sleeps in our loft conversion

 

[SimonG]

Building control should have signed it off!

Speak to your neighbour and express your concerns, depending upon the response will direct you down the correct route. If it's been installed incorrectly it will have to be rectified at the installers expense and I would hope your neighbour, after spending a lot of money, wants it right. After all if they came to sell it in a few years time and it doesn't meet regs they will have to pay to correct or reduce price to cover corrective works.

 

[AWheating]

as its new you can force the issue and get it altered by complaint. But it would be better to speak to the neighbour first. Could save years of bad blood.