By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • • • 0 Comments

Jetting away your problems

This is Important

Jetting drain lines is a method of cleaning and unclogging plumbing pipes using high-pressure water streams. This technique is commonly used for sewer and drain cleaning, and involves inserting a specialized hose into the pipe and blasting it with high-pressure water to remove any debris or buildup.

The jetting process is typically performed by a professional plumber or drain cleaning service, who will use specialized equipment such as a jetting machine and a video inspection camera to identify and locate the blockage. The jetting machine then pumps water at high pressure through the hose and into the pipe, scouring the walls and dislodging any obstructions.

Jetting drain lines is an effective way to remove stubborn clogs and blockages, and can also help prevent future issues by thoroughly cleaning the pipe. However, it is important to note that jetting should be done by a trained professional, as improper use can cause damage to the pipes or even lead to injury.

By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • • 0 Comments

Drain Cleaning 101

Importance of Drain Cleaning

Drain cleaning is an essential maintenance task that involves removing clogs and blockages from pipes and drains to prevent water backup and sewage overflow. It is a necessary process that should be conducted regularly to ensure the smooth functioning of your plumbing system.

Drains can become clogged due to various reasons, including the accumulation of food debris, grease, hair, soap scum, and other waste materials. When this happens, water and waste materials cannot flow freely, leading to blockages that can cause serious plumbing problems. In extreme cases, clogs can even cause sewage backup, which can be a health hazard.

Friday night fun🔥🔥🔥

There are several methods of drain cleaning, including chemical drain cleaners, hydro jetting, and snaking. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the severity of the clog and the type of plumbing system.

Chemical drain cleaners are perhaps the most popular method of drain cleaning. They are easy to use, and they work by dissolving the clog using chemicals. However, they are not suitable for all types of clogs, and they can be harmful to the environment and your plumbing system if used improperly.

Hydro jetting is another method of drain cleaning that involves using high-pressure water to clear clogs. It is highly effective and can remove even the toughest clogs. However, it requires specialized equipment and can be costly.

Snaking is a method that involves using a long, flexible cable to dislodge clogs. It is effective for most clogs and is less expensive than hydro jetting. However, it can be time-consuming and may require a skilled technician to operate the equipment properly.

Regular drain cleaning is crucial to maintaining the health and longevity of your plumbing system. It can prevent clogs and blockages from forming, ensuring that water and waste materials flow freely through your pipes. In addition, regular drain cleaning can help you save money by preventing costly repairs and replacements.

There are several signs that your drains may need cleaning. These include slow drainage, gurgling sounds, foul odors, and water backup. If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to contact a professional plumber immediately to prevent further damage to your plumbing system.

In conclusion, drain cleaning is an essential maintenance task that should not be overlooked. It is necessary to keep your plumbing system functioning properly, prevent clogs and blockages, and avoid costly repairs and replacements. Whether you choose chemical drain cleaners, hydro jetting, or snaking, it is crucial to work with a professional plumber who can provide effective and safe solutions for your drain cleaning needs.

grease trap lid
By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • • 1 Comment

Baker does the Nasty

BAKER DOES THE NASTY

They are few things worse than dealing with Grease traps. No matter when or where or how religiously maintained these beasts are always filthy and nasty. And yet they must be maintained on a strict and regular basis. In Calgary, these fixtures MUST be cleaned every month or the business risks facing fines or closure. They must have their record of maintenance completed within 5′ of the appliance. It’s very serious business and one that many restaurants and other such establishments must be aware of.

What can be even worse is when a business takes it responsibility seriously and hires out this work to be done and the company hired fails to perform!! This is exactly what happened in the linked video!!

Baker does the Nasty

In the above example the business paid a firm for over a year to clean their traps and never once actually had the service performed!! We discovered the issue on a routine maintenance call on another matter. As a professional business and tradesmen we take our roles very seriously. We want to ensure that both the health of our clients and the operations of their businesses are well cared for. Beware of those that offer deals that seem too good to be true as they often are.

One of our most trusted brands in the grease trap world is Canplas, you learn more about them here! Canplas Grease Traps  with technology that is always improving, few companies provide similar innovations and options. Check them out!!

If you have questions or need service right away don’t hesitate to reach out to Baker Plumbing and we’ll make sure the nastiest parts of your business are well cared for!!

John Wick of Plumbing
By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • Plumbing • • • 0 Comments

Baker Plumbing the John Wick of Plumbers

Hire the Best, Hire Baker

drain cleaning contractor

Baker Plumbing the John Wick of Plumbing

In a world full of pretenders with their stock photos, pressed uniforms and canned phrases Baker Plumbing stands apart with the experience, tools and the knowledge that makes the difference. Youtube feature Slaying Drains With 65 years of said experience, we much like John Wick who is highly confident in his abilities and carried a reputation of being greatly respected and feared by many within his field. Baker Plumbing enjoys many of the same associations. John Wick the Movie

Baker Plumbing continues its growth and development as a family owned plumbing service contractor. With the addition of Isaiah and Peter to the ranks, the 4th generation of plumbing in Calgary is well under way. Isaiah is months away from completing his journeyman’s ticket, only delayed by the COVID_19 shutdown. Pete’s freshly back from an LDS service mission the Philippines (and yes, he’s fully fluent in Tagalog) so test him if you’d like! We’re very pleased and excited that our scope of work and our ability to diversify is expanding!

With the ability to service both large and small commercial businesses and with a strong and vibrant residential client list. Baker serves not only Calgary and area but Lethbridge, Airdrie, High River, Okotoks, Bragg Creek, Springbank, Priddis and many others. From drain cleaning, emergency plumbing services, HVAC and furnace repairs to boiler maintenance, back flow or cross connection testing. If you need a 24 hour plumber in Calgary, we can tackle any project.

See what over 65 years of knowledge, experience and skills can bring to your project,

Check out our history

Baker Plumbing the John Wick of Plumbing

By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • Plumbing • • • 0 Comments

Dirty Deeds Done

BAKER PLUMBING DOES DIRTY DEEDS

It comes as no surprise to anyone, plumbing is considered almost as the premiere career of dirty deeds. From septic fields, blocked sewage lines, grease traps, and plugged toilets. All would be considered the dirtiest of deeds. Tasks most people would rather run from, let alone actually talk about.

Dirty Deeds

Done, Properly

At Baker we dont just talk about doing dirty deeds, we actually perform those deeds for our clients every single day.

Baker gets Dirty

As shown by the video embedded anyone can see that we are prepared and ready to tackle the dirtiest of deeds that may arise in your life both planned or unplanned.

A thousand years ago our ancestors travelled over the island of Scotland and Ireland. They believed as we do today that Fortune Favors the Brave. Need a brave/bold plumber to discreetly handle your nastiest of plumbing problems then Baker Plumbing is the drain contractor, plumber and/or service team you need to get your through. Whether it’s a commercial or residential plumbing contractor then call us today. We’ll deal with all those dirty deeds, happily.

If you’re havin’ trouble with the high school head
He’s givin’ you the blues
You want to graduate but not in ‘is bed
Here’s what you gotta do
Pick up the phone
I’m always home
Call me any time
Just ring
36 24 36 hey
I lead a life of crime
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap
You got problems in your life of love
You got a broken heart
He’s double dealin’ with your best friend
That’s when the teardrops start, fella
Pick up the phone
I’m here alone
Or make a social call
Come right in
Forget about him
We’ll have ourselves a ball
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they’re done

scoping commercial drains in Calgary
By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • • • 0 Comments

Drain Cameras in Calgary

Calgary Drain Cameras

Baker In Action

Baker Plumbing takes its responsibility of cleaning and maintaining your plumbing and drainage systems so seriously that we only use the very best in tools.

Drain cameras have become an essential tool in providing both us and our clients the most accurate in information and assessments.

Truly its impossible to successfully diagnosis what might be happening to your drains without the drain camera being used.

These miracles of technology have come a long way over the last several years in resolution and in data transfer. We can now send video of your unique plumbing system with these amazing drain cameras almost instantly and provide equally fast solutions to any issues that we find during our examinations.

Amazing!!

According to Simon Blake

Drain inspection cameras that are affordable for the average contractor have been around for about 25 years. They have become sophisticated electronic devices and, like anything to do with electronics, the pace of change is rapid.

“The technology in cameras is advancing rapidly, probably more so than any of our other product lines,” noted Marty Silverman, vice president, marketing, for General Pipe Cleaners, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.

In that short period of time, they have evolved from 50 lb. machines that recorded on VHS tape – if they recorded at all – to today’s compact three-pound machines that record via Wi-Fi to a smartphone or tablet.

A better picture

The primary purpose of a drain camera is to see what is blocking the drain. That sounds obvious, but manufacturers have gone to considerable lengths to improve the picture of not only what is ahead of the camera, but on some camera models improved peripheral vision helps the technician do a detailed inspection of the pipe walls and see clearly the type of pipe connections they are dealing with.

Pan and tilt – in which the camera lens rotates and tilts so the operator can inspect the walls of the pipe – is now available in smaller cameras, noted Frank D’Andrea, president of Ratech Electronics, Toronto. The company’s Pan n’ Tilt Push model is designed to inspect four to 12-inch lines, making it practical for residential and small commercial sewer inspection. “It allows you to see a lot closer and in a lot more detail.”

Ridgid, Elyria, Ohio, recently introduced its TruSense technology on standard and mini reels. It includes High Dynamic Range (HDR) and TiltSense technology. “The HDR balances out the light and the image in the pipe so you get a clearer overall image as well as being able to see much further down the line,” explained Amy Moneypenny, global product manager for underground technology, inspection and locating.

HDR balances the light and dark areas on the colour picture to avoid overly bright or dark areas. “You can see all the walls of the pipe in greater detail with HDR.” It can also be turned off for greater contrast. “On the monitor, they can toggle the HDR on and off depending on the job and situation,” she added.

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Ridgid’s TiltSense technology is an onboard inclinometer that measures and displays the pitch of the camera, allowing the plumber to immediately see the slope of the pipe, plus or minus in degrees. “When you are in muck and water and you can’t see much of anything, you can quickly find bellies in the pipe that you would not normally be able to see,” said Jeff Albertini, Ridgid global product manager, underground technologies, hand-held tools.

For more information See The Ridgid Website

By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • • • 0 Comments

iPhones vs. Toilets Great Blunders

iphone

Saving iPhones

No one would ever think that the iPhone versus the toilet could actually be an issue, yet here we are! As a service plumber serving Calgary and area, we at Baker Plumber get to see alot of crazy and interesting stuff. Few circumstances are more intense than when a young woman loses her iPhone down the john.

Thankfully, Baker Plumbing has the tools and knowledge necessary to save those precious communication devices. In fact, with 6 phones saved so far this year, we have returned 5 of them in working order which is an 83% success rate. Not bad if we say so ourselves.

From iPhones to boilers, from Android to cross connections, at Baker Plumbing we’re ready and waiting!

Contact us today!

Baker Plumbing logo

urinals
By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • Plumbing • • • 0 Comments

Why No One Talks About Urinals Anymore

URINALS AIN’T NO ONE’S FRIEND

URINAL CLEANING DONE RIGHT

 

In every commercial restroom in the world you’ll find a urinal, at least in the men’s room anyway. With all that’s going on in the world, that could actually be a very bad thing. Check out this article from the Chicago Sun Times. Something to think about the next time you enter the men’s room.

Wearing a mask in public restrooms should be mandatory during the pandemic, researchers say, because there’s increasing evidence that flushing toilets – and now urinals – can release inhalable coronavirus particles into the air.

The coronavirus can be found in a person’s urine or stool, and flushing urinals can generate an “alarming upward flow” of particles that “travel faster and fly farther” than particles from a toilet flush, according to a study published in the journal Physics of Fluid Monday.

“Urinal flushing indeed promotes the spread of bacteria and viruses,” researcher Xiangdong Liu said in a press release. “Wearing a mask should be mandatory within public restrooms during the pandemic, and anti-diffusion improvements are urgently needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Liu and other researchers from Yangzhou University in China simulated urinal flushing using computer models and estimated that, within just five seconds of flushing, virus particles could reach a height of more than 2 feet off the ground.

“Potentially, it could contaminate other surfaces you would touch – the handle, the tap,” said Charles Gerba, a professor of virology at the University of Arizona. “The concern is also – was there anything left over from the person who was there before? Aerosolization from the previous user you may potentially inhale?”

Some of the same researchers released similar findings in June, focused on toilet flushing. Through another computer model, the researchers found that thousands of particles can come out of the toilet within 70 seconds of flushing, and that some can reach higher than a foot above the toilet bowl in half that time.

“It is reasonable to assume that the high-speed airflow will expel aerosol particles from the bowl to regions high in the air above the toilet, allowing viruses to spread indoors causing risks to human health,” the researchers said at the time.

The studies are interesting but unsurprising, as research on particles kicked up in “toilet plumes” has been around for about two decades now, said Joshua Santarpia, a professor of pathology and microbiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center specializing in bioaerosols.

“The more interesting thing to me was that I hadn’t considered the urine issue – whether SARS-CoV-2 was shed in urine,” he said.

Coronavirus found in urine, stool

Many people aren’t aware that toilets and urinals can release particles into the air, let alone that genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19 – can be found in patients’ urine and stool, Gerba said.

“It’s probably been overlooked – urine contamination,” Gerba said. “Smallpox, Zika virus are excreted in the urine. What’s surprising is that a respiratory virus can be excreted in the urine.”

At least two studies – one in Tokyo and one in Guangzhou, China – have found coronavirus RNA in patients’ urine. Studies published in the journals Gastroenterology and The Lancet also found coronavirus RNA in patients’ stool, even weeks after the patients showed negative results in respiratory samples. One study in and around Beijing, however, did not find any evidence of virus in 72 urine specimens.

It’s still unclear whether COVID-19 can transmit through urine and infect another person, Gerba said.

“Is there enough virus in the urine to worry about? Does enough get aerosolized? Those are questions we need to look at,” he said.

The researchers at Yangzhou University argue that transmission in a public restroom has already happened. They cite local news reports of a couple, who work at a food market in Beijing, contracting the virus at a restroom nearby.

“What’s worse, two of COVID-19 reemerging confirmed cases in Beijing have been reported to be infected from a public toilet, which practically proves the danger from the public restroom,” the researchers wrote.

Can the coronavirus disease spread through air?

Health experts believe the virus mainly transmits through respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, but the World Health Organization says that “short-range aerosol transmission . . . cannot be ruled out.”

Researchers measuring the amount of viral aerosols in different areas of two Wuhan hospitals found that while the concentration detected in isolation wards and ventilated patient rooms was very low, it was higher in the toilet areas used by the patients, according to an April study published in the journal Nature.

The researchers recommended that room ventilation, open space, sanitization of protective apparel, and proper use and disinfection of toilet areas could effectively limit the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols.

“I think there’s a lot of strategies and interventions that could be developed if it really turns out that there’s significant risk,” Gerba said.

For now, the next best step would be to put the researchers’ computer model to the test to see if flushing a urinal actually kicks virus particles up into the air, Gerba and Santarpia said.

“Somebody should really validate some of this experimentally. It’s a model, and there are a lot of assumptions,” Santarpia said. “More work needs to be done.”

FULL ARTICLE

By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • Maintenance • Plumbing • • • 1 Comment

Folk Remedies for Improving your Life using only Hydro Jetting

YOUR LOCAL DRAIN CLEANER 

BAKER JETTING THOSE DRAIN LINES

As Spring arrives and the urge to clean arises, it the time to clean those drains. Your plumbing system is much like your arteries, they need to clear of obstructions to in order for proper flow and use. At Baker Plumbing, your local drainage contractor which means we clean drains locally, we have all the necessary equipment to do the job right the first time.

For commercial properties one of the most effective tools is the jetter. Capable of blasting dirt and debris with up to 3000 psi, those drains will sparkling inside and out. Most importantly your drains will remain trouble free with regular maintenance, ensuring no downtime during operating hours.

The next time your worried about your drains, give Baker Plumbing a call! We’re your local drain expert.

How does Drain Jetting work?

Drain jetting is a high pressure cleaning method for blocked drains and sewer pipes. It works by pumping water – which is stored in tanks – through a high pressure hose fitted with a jetting nozzle.

How does drain jetting work

This forces powerful streams of water into the pipe, allowing drainage engineers to target blockages and dislodge them with sustained assault.

 

Remove large drain blockages

Drain jetting is most useful when removing larger, stubborn blockages from pipes. Jetting hoses can negotiate tight bends in pipes, so are great for tackling clogs that would be difficult to reach by any other means – drain rods or DIY clearing kits, for instance.

 

Clean your drains in the process

Drain jetting is also an effective preventative measure. The sheer focused power of the jet spray won’t just remove a blockage, it will clean the pipe surface itself, reducing the risk of grime, oils, fats and other waste products gathering and turning back into a blockage.

As you can expect, this also improves the flow, efficiency and performance of your pipes; think of drain jetting as a highly intensive spa treatment for your sewer, refreshing it and restoring it back to peak performance.

 

INFO CREDIT TO:

Best Plumber in Calgary
By Bob Baker Drain Cleaning • Plumbing • • • • 0 Comments

BEST DAMN DRAIN CLEANER IN CALGARY

THAT’S RIGHT! THE BEST

BAKER IN ACTION

drain cleaning contractor

A list of Calgary’s top drain cleaning companies

Baker Plumbing in Calgary is one of city’s premiere drainage contractors. Providing drain cleaning, inspections and solutions since 1956. With a entire arsenal of augers, cameras, locators, snakes, steaming and jetting equipment, along the knowledge and expertise required to get the job done right the very first time. If you have a plumbing issue related to plugged, foul smelling, or slow drains, call Baker Plumbing today

 

LISTED BELOW IS JUST SOME OF THE COMPLEX SYSTEMS THAT MAKE UP YOUR DRAINAGE. DON’T RISK DAMAGE AND GREATER EXPENSE!! CALL A PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER TODAY!!

DWV systems maintain neutral air pressure in the drains, allowing free flow of water and sewage down drains and through waste pipes by gravity. It is critical that a sufficient downward slope be maintained throughout, to keep liquids and entrained solids flowing freely towards the main drain from the building. In some situations, a downward slope out of a building to the sewer cannot be created, and a special collection pit and grinding lift “sewage ejector” pump are needed. By contrast, potable water supply systems operate under pressure to distribute water up through buildings, and do not require a continuous downward slope in their piping.

Every fixture is required to have an internal or external trap; double trapping is prohibited by plumbing codes due to its susceptibility to clogging. Every plumbing fixture must also have an attached vent. The top of stacks must be vented too, via a stack vent, which is sometimes called a stink pipe.[1]

All plumbing waste fixtures use traps to prevent sewer gases from leaking into the house. Through traps, all fixtures are connected to waste lines, which in turn take the waste to a “soil stack”, or “soil vent pipe”. At the building drain system’s lowest point, the drain-waste vent is attached, and rises (usually inside a wall) to and out of the roof. Waste exits from the building through the building’s main drain and flows through a sewage line, which leads to a septic system or a public sewer. Cesspits are generally prohibited in developed areas.

The venting system, or plumbing vents, consists of a number of pipes leading from waste pipes to the outdoors, usually through the roof. Vents provide a means to release sewer gases outside instead of inside the house. Vents also admit oxygen to the waste system to allow aerobic sewage digestion, and to discourage noxious anaerobic decomposition.[further explanation needed] Vents provide a way to equalize the pressure on both sides of a trap, thereby allowing the trap to hold the water which is needed to maintain effectiveness of the trap, and avoiding “trap suckout” which otherwise might occur.

A sewer pipe is normally at neutral air pressure compared to the surrounding atmosphere. When a column of waste water flows through a pipe, it compresses air ahead of it in the pipe, creating a positive pressure that must be released so it does not push back on the waste stream and downstream trap water seals. As the column of water passes, air must freely flow in behind the waste stream, or negative pressure results. The extent of these pressure fluctuations is determined by the fluid volume of the waste discharge.

Excessive negative air pressure, behind a “slug” of water that is draining, can siphon water from traps at plumbing fixtures. Generally, a toilet outlet has the shortest trap seal, making it most vulnerable to being emptied by induced siphonage. An empty trap can allow noxious sewer gases to enter a building.

On the other hand, if the air pressure within the drain becomes suddenly higher than ambient, this positive transient could cause waste water to be pushed into the fixture, breaking the trap seal, with serious hygiene and health consequences if too forceful. Tall buildings of three or more stories are particularly susceptible to this problem. Vent stacks are installed in parallel to waste stacks to allow proper venting in tall buildings.

Most residential building drainage systems in North America are vented directly through the building roofs. The DWV pipe is typically ABS or PVC DWV-rated plastic pipe equipped with a flashing at the roof penetration to prevent rainwater from entering the buildings. Older homes may use copper, iron, lead or clay pipes, in rough order of increasing antiquity.

Under many older building codes, a vent stack (a pipe leading to the main roof vent) is required to be within a 5-foot (1.5 m) radius of the draining fixture it serves (sink, toilet, shower stall, etc.). To allow only one vent stack, and thus one roof penetration as permitted by local building code, sub-vents may be tied together inside the building and exit via a common vent stack. One additional requirement for a vent stack connection occurs when there are very long horizontal drain runs with very little slope to the run. Adding a vent connection within the run will aid flow, and when used with a cleanout allows for better serviceability of the long run.

A blocked vent is a relatively common problem caused by anything from leaves, to dead animals, to ice dams in very cold weather, or a horizontal section of the venting system, sloped the wrong way and filled with water from rain or condensation. Symptoms range from bubbles in the toilet bowl[citation needed] when it is flushed, to slow drainage,[citation needed] and all the way to siphoned (empty) traps which allow sewer gases to enter the building.

When a fixture trap is venting properly, a “sucking” sound can often be heard as the fixture vigorously empties out during normal operation. This phenomenon is harmless, and is different from “trap suckout” induced by pressure variations caused by wastewater movement elsewhere in the system, which is not supposed to allow interactions from one fixture to another. Toilets are a special case, since they are usually designed to self-siphon to ensure complete evacuation of their contents; they are then automatically refilled by a special valve mechanism.[citation needed]

Mechanical vents (also called cheater vents[2]) come in two types: Air admittance valves and check vents, the latter being a vent with a check valve.

Air admittance valves (AAVs, or commonly referred to in the UK as Durgo valves and in the US as Studor vents and Sure-VentŸ) are negative-pressure-activated, one-way mechanical valves, used in a plumbing or drainage venting system to eliminate the need for conventional pipe venting and roof penetrations. A discharge of wastewater causes the AAV to open, releasing the vacuum and allowing air to enter the plumbing vent pipe for proper pressure equalization.

Since AAVs will only operate under negative pressure situations, they are not suitable for all venting applications, such as venting a sump, where positive pressures are created when the sump fills. Also, where positive drainage pressures are found in larger buildings or multi-story buildings, an air admittance valve could be used in conjunction with a positive pressure reduction device such as the PAPA positive air pressure attenuator to provide a complete venting solution for more complicated drainage venting systems.

Using AAVs can significantly reduce the amount of venting materials needed in a plumbing system, increase plumbing labor efficiency, allow greater flexibility in the layout of plumbing fixtures, and reduce long-term roof maintenance problems associated with conventional vent stack roofing penetrations.

While some state and local building departments prohibit AAVs, the International Residential and International Plumbing Codes allow it to be used in place of a vent through the roof. AAVs are certified to reliably open and close a minimum of 500,000 times, (approximately 30 years of use) with no release of sewer gas; some manufacturers claim their units are tested for up to 1.5 million cycles, or at least 80 years of use. AAVs have been effectively used in Europe for more than two decades.[when?]

Island fixture vent for under-cabinet waste plumbing

An island fixture vent, sometimes colloquially called a “Chicago Loop”, “Boston loop” or “Bow Vent”, is an alternate way of venting the trap installed on an under counter island sink or other similar applications where a conventional vertical vent stack or air admittance valve is not feasible or allowed.

As with all drains, ventilation must be provided to allow the flowing waste water to displace the sewer gas in the drain, and then to allow air (or some other fluid) to fill the vacuum which would otherwise form as the water flows down the pipe.

An island fixture vent provides an elegant solution for this necessity: when the drain is opened, water displaces the sewer gas up to the sanitary tee, the water flows downward while sewer gas is displaced upward and toward the vent. The vent can also provide air to fill any vacuum created.

The key to a functional island fixture vent is that the top elbow must be at least as high as the “flood level” (the peak possible drain water level in the sink). This ensures that the vent never becomes waterlogged.

The cost of installation is high because of the number of elbows and small pieces of pipe required. The largest cost outlay with modern plastic drain pipes is labor. Use of street elbows is helpful.

Alternately if moving sink to an island sink, install the P-trap below the floor of the island and vent off the top of the drain. Attach toward the trap and reverse 180 degrees so any water in the vent flows down the drain. Slope drain down, slope vent up, and attach to existing vent from previous existing fixture that is now abandoned. Patch previously existing drain to become vent. In Canada, the national plumbing code requires that the minimum trap arm be at least 2 times the pipe diameter, (e.g., 1.25 inch pipe needs a 2.5-inch trap arm, 1.5 pipe needs a 3-inch trap arm, etc.) and that the vent pipe be one size larger than the drain that it serves, also a cleanout is required on both the vent and the drain. The reason for this is in the event of a plugged sink, the waste water will back up and go down the vent, possibly plugging the vent (as it is under the countertop), and a clean-out would permit the cleaning of the pipes.

 

CREDIT TO