Where to put an air admittance valve?

Author: Ms. Esperanza Roberts  |  Last update: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Air admittance valves are generally placed on a soil pipe that is a minimum of 200mm above the highest water entry point – i.e. the highest point wastewater will reach within a soil pipe. They are most commonly installed at the end of a soil pipe, but can also be installed inline, using a branch.

Where is the proper placement of the 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.

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.

Does the AAV 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.

Where does AAV go?

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.

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

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.

Where do you store AAV?

AAV Virus Handling & Storage

All viral vectors are shipped frozen on dry ice and should be stored at -80° C upon receipt and for long term storage. Vectors can be stored for short periods of time at -20 or +4°C.

How high should AAV be above drain?

Individual and branch-type AAVs shall not be located not less than 4 inches (102 mm) above the horizontal branch drain or fixture drain being vented.

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.

Does an air admittance valve stop smelling?

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 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.

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.

What height should AAV be installed?

The stack-type AAV shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the flood-level rim of the highest fixture being vented. The AAV shall be located within the maximum developed length permitted for the vent.

Where are air admittance valves allowed?

The air admittance valve shall be located within the maximum developed length permitted for the vent. The air admittance valve shall be installed not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above insulation materials. 918.5 Access and ventilation. Access shall be provided to all air admittance valves.

How to tell if AAV is failing?

To see if the AAV is working properly, take the valve off and shake - if you shake hard enough you should hear the diaphragm rattling. If you hear no noise the AAV may have failed. Additionally, smelling sewer gas is another sign that the AAV has failed in the open position.

Where is the best air vent placement?

Air Ducts Near the Ceiling Are Most Effective

Many people don't realize this because it is common to see air vents located near the floor in older homes. With vents near the floor, however, furniture often ends up blocking vents and causing the air to get trapped.

How do I know if I need an air admittance valve?

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 ...

How many fixtures can an AAV vent?

AAVs can vent more than one fixture, but their capacity must be matched to the total DFUs on the branch line they vent. AAVs range in capacity from 6 to 500 DFUs. To vent a clothes washer with an AAV, I run a 1 1/2-inch pipe up from a tee located about 4 inches behind the 2-inch trap, terminating it in the washer box.

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).

Where to fit an air admittance valve?

The valve should be placed on a soil pipe that is at least 200mm above any water entry pipe or the highest point that wastewater will normally reach in the soil pipe. This is generally at the end of a soil pipe, but can also be added inline, using a soil pipe junction.

How high should valve be?

The standard shower valve height for shower stalls is 28 inches (2 feet 4 inches). For shower set in bathtubs, the shower valve height is 48 inches (4 feet). A shower head is set at least 72 inches high. These distances are measured from the floor of the bathroom or the shower pan upwards.

Can you oversize an air admittance valve?

Five DFUs for the bathroom group, three for the washing machine and one for the laundry tub. This example needs an AAV of at least nine DFUs. It is acceptable to oversize an AAV; however, an undersized AAV will not allow the plumbing system to breathe properly.

How long does an AAV last?

How long does an AAV last? Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are stable for several months to years when stored properly at -80°C.

Where do you put the AAV under the sink?

While it is possible to install an AAV hidden inside walls during remodeling work, it is more common to install them right under the sink cabinet as an adaptation of the pipe joining the drain trap to the branch drain.

Is AAV hazardous?

To date, no human pathology has been associated with AAV infection. On the contrary, a protective role of AAV against human papillomavirus–induced carcinomas,7 as well as induction of antiproliferative gene clusters upon AAV infection, was reported.

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