Main stack & offset walls: Run Horizontal?

Users who are viewing this thread

Speede541

Member
Messages
164
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Oakland
This is a follow-up question of sorts to something I asked the other day regarding installation of a second toilet, but is a new subject. The previous thread is here: https://terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?37177-Need-your-input-on-relocating-4-vent-waste-CI

My 4" soil stack shifts approximately 16" due to the walls not being aligned. This shift occurs in a 26" dead space inside of a dropped ceiling. Due to space constraints, the plumber accomplished this by jogging the pipe at a 13° angle, which apparently was signed off by the city code inspector.

I'll be in here connecting a Wye for an additional toilet (probably in the lower vertical section). This would be an opportune time to correct this slope, if it's wrong.

My concern is that, at such a slope, am I up to code? Is this setting me up for a clogged waste line? I am working under the impression that anything less than 45° is no longer vertical, and that a 13° slope is well over the recommended 1/4" per foot for a horizontal run.

However, I don't have room to run 45° in this space, due to the space taken up by the Tee connecting to the existing toilet. As I see it, I have three choices:

1. Should I leave it as is?
2. Should I / can I transition to horizontal for 16", then back to vertical?
3. Should I remove the existing Tee, run the stack transition at 45°, and re-connect the existing toilet using a Wye?

slope-r.jpg
 

Jimbo

Plumber
Messages
8,918
Reaction score
18
Points
0
Location
San Diego, CA
1/4" per foot is the MINUMUM slope, and although the topic is hotly debated on these forums ( wanna start a fight...ask about water outrunning the waste!!!!).......there is no MAXIMUM slope.
 

Doherty Plumbing

Journeyman & Gas Fitter
Messages
810
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
Penticton, BC
Website
www.facebook.com
You are allowed to offset horizontally. But there are rules and the offset you have drawn would not violate any codes.

An offset at 45* would not be considered a horizontal offset.
 

Speede541

Member
Messages
164
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Oakland
Cool, thanks!

What are the specifics if I wanted to turn this into a truly horizontal jog (2 90°'s)? If I could do that, it would certainly make connecting the second toilet an easier job.
 

Speede541

Member
Messages
164
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Oakland
Ok, thanks, I'll run that by my inspector.

Unless... well, you know -- any practical implications that would cause me to NOT want to go that route? Like increased noise from flushes?
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
There is a limit on the number of degree change of the pipe before a cleanout is required. So, you need to be careful about how many you have. I don't know the specifics. Keep in mind, the more angles, if something ever gets clogged, you may not be able to get a snake around the bends. And, each angle (90-degree) would slow the flow down.
 

Speede541

Member
Messages
164
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Oakland
I'd like to do 45° angles, but that would leave me with no space for the Tee for the existing toilet. Since that one is vented by the stack, I'd prefer to keep the Tee to avoid having to re-vent it.

If I go with 2 90° angles, that leaves lots of room for the Tee, and I can probably slide a Wye in right underneath it for the second toilet (which will be vented separately).

Or, I can go with approximately the existing layout, but I would have to put the Wye on the lower vertical section, and that would require some inventiveness on my part to run the second toilet wast pipe to that location.

Here's a pic of the existing setup. The Tee receiving the existing toilet is connected to the hub, just above where the pipe disappears behind the framing at the top of the photo. You can see the lower section of pipe peeking out behind the wall to the left.

vent_bend.jpg


Here are the two other options I'm looking at, if I don't stick with the existing layout.

options.jpg


Lastly, here's the stack diagram if I add the two 90° angles. You can see that I have two 90's and two 45's down stream, before the cleanout. It wouldn't be too much trouble to add a cleanout on the first floor just before the lower set of turns.

stack.jpg
 
Last edited:

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,041
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
pipe

The reason it goes at an angle, and I am not sure if it is really 13 degrees or not, is that someone either made a bad measurement and came up short, or they used a piece of pipe they had and did not want to insert a short piece to make it the correct size. If we were there, we could decide which, of several methods, would be the best one, and inserting a "Y" might not even be one we would consider.
 

Speede541

Member
Messages
164
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Oakland
I don't know how he (the previous plumber) achieved 13°, but that's what I'm seeing on my digital level.

Well shoot, there's not as much space in here to do exactly what I want, so I'm combining options 1 & 2 from my previous drawing and doing:
- horizontal transition with a medium sweep 90
- Tee at the top as drawn
- Wye in the lower wall for the 2nd toilet
- cleanout at the base before moving into the basement

Off to the plumbing supply with a long list. Wish me luck!
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks