Can you vent a bathroom group with an air admittance valve?

Author: Dr. Zetta Towne IV  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

AAVs are a great alternative if you can't connect to an existing venting system due to complex pipe routing issues or obstructions – an ideal venting solution for island sinks, remote bathroom groups, home remodels and additions that would otherwise have to be tied into a stack vent utilizing specialized venting ...

Can you vent an entire bathroom with aAV?

Available in different sizes, AAVs can be used to vent an individual fixture, a complete branch, or an entire stack of vents.

Where are air admittance valves not allowed?

Air admittance valves are not permitted in spaces where pressure conditions adversely affect the valve's operation. They are also not allowed in concealed wall and ceiling spaces used as plenums as part of an air distribution system that is under negative or positive pressure.

What is the downside to an air admittance valve?

The main problem with using an Air Admittance Valve instead of a Soil Vent Pipe, as discussed earlier, is that by preventing the gases from escaping through the top of the soil stack you are causing them to be forced down into the main drains and sewer system instead.

How many bathroom groups can be vented by a wet vent?

Any combination of fixtures within two bathroom groups located on the same floor level is permitted to be vented by a vertical wet vent. The vertical wet vent shall be considered the vent for the fixtures and shall extend from the connection of the dry vent down to the lowest fixture drain connection.

Air admittance valves for plumbing venting explained, [just over 4 minutes]

What is the minimum vent size for a bathroom group?

The wet vent shall be not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter for 4 drainage fixture units (dfu) or less, and not less than 3 inches (80 mm) in diameter for 5 dfu or more. The dry vent shall be sized in accordance with Table 702.1 and Table 703.2 based on the total fixture units discharging into the wet vent.

Can multiple bathroom exhaust fans be vented together?

Well, you can't! You'd often blow air from one bathroom into the other, and local building inspectors wouldn't approve it. But while you can't have two fans with one vent, you can make one fan and one vent serve two bathrooms. This setup requires an in-line exhaust fan.

What are the rules for air admittance valves?

The short answer is a minimum of 200mm above any water entry point. So if you imagine your soil pipe run, then durgo valve / AAV must be fitted above the highest connection to the soil pipe from any sink, bath or toilet that is connected to it.

Why is studor vent illegal?

The Studor vent lets that air to be sucked in the pipe during water flow but doesn't let sewer gas escape out. Code is the thing that determines pipe size and also water flow. Hence no studor vents are permitted to toilets because more air is required to keep water flow going with more waste added to the toilet.

Where is the best place to put an air admittance valve?

AAV location

An AAV should be located within the maximum developed length permitted for the vent. It must be located a minimum of 4” above the horizontal branch drain, 6” above any insulation material and within 15 degrees of vertical.

What is the life expectancy of an air admittance valve?

Air admittance valves have a typical life expectancy of 20-30 years, so if you start to have issues with sewer gases or smells being released around your sink or in the attic-wherever installed- the air admittance valve could be faulty or failed and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Does an air admittance valve replace a vent?

Air Admittance Valves (AAV) — Oatey ®Sure-Vents® — are mechanical devices installed to a plumbing fixture, replacing a secondary vent. These valves allow one-way ventilation, removing the need to connect to an existing venting system or run a separate, potentially unsightly ventilation system.

Does the air admittance valve go before or after the trap?

Air admittance valves are typically placed between the P-trap of a fixture and the drain line. They're usually mounted on one leg of a sanitary tee, with the other leg going to the drain. The unit must be placed per local codes and the manufacturer's instructions.

What is code for venting a bathroom fan?

To fulfill the local exhaust airflow requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 (2010) and the International Residential Code (IRC 2021, Section M1507), bathroom fans should have a mechanical exhaust capacity of ≥ 50 cfm for intermittent operation or ≥ 20 cfm of ventilation when operated continuously.

Can I vent a toilet and shower together?

Can my toilet and sink share the same vent? Yes, the toilet and sink can share the same vent, as can the shower.

How should a bathroom vent be vented?

The duct should vent to the outside.

Is an air admittance valve the same as a Studor vent?

An Air Admittance Valve (AAV), which you may also hear referred to as a Studor Vent, Studor AAV or Mini Vent, is a one-way mechanical valve that is installed locally at the site of a plumbing fixture, allowing proper venting to occur without a connection to a larger venting system and stack vent.

In what states are air admittance valves legal?

They are not illegal in California as a state because California Plumbing Code allows "Engineered Vent Systems" see Section 911.0.

Can you vent a toilet with an air admittance valve?

Yes, an air admittance valve can be used to vent a toilet. This valve is a device designed to allow air to enter the plumbing drainage system to balance the pressure, keeping water from getting pulled out from traps in the plumbing fixtures.

Are air admittance valves to code?

Individual and branch-type air admittance valves shall conform to ASSE 1051. Stack-type air admittance valves shall conform to ASSE 1050. The valves shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this section and the manufacturer's instructions.

Does an air admittance valve stop smells?

Air admittance valves often feature rubber seals, to help create a complete seal, increasing the effectiveness of the valve and preventing any odours from escaping through small gaps.

What is the difference between an air admittance valve and a cheater vent?

Automatic air vents are spring type devices often referred to as in-line or cheater vents, while air admittance valves have no spring. Air admittance valves are more expensive and are approved in many jurisdictions where in-line and cheater vents are not because of their moving parts (springs).

How many bathrooms can be on one vent pipe?

A single 2" line can vent 24 fixture units. A private toilet is 3 fixture units so you have plenty of available space. But it is not legal as drawn. Vents cannot combine until 6" above flood level.

Can you have too powerful bathroom exhaust fan?

A fan that is too big can cause a bathroom to be cold and noisy. This is why calculating the correct CFM is important.

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