unknown pipe
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unknown pipe
Hi
We are starting a new project in our laundry room. The previous owners renovated the space and added a bathroom and the laundry connections. One section was covered with a plywood cover nailed into the studs. When I pried the cover off, this pipe was underneath.
Does anyone know what it is for?
Is it safe for me to drywall over it to make the wall flush?
Kevin
We are starting a new project in our laundry room. The previous owners renovated the space and added a bathroom and the laundry connections. One section was covered with a plywood cover nailed into the studs. When I pried the cover off, this pipe was underneath.
Does anyone know what it is for?
Is it safe for me to drywall over it to make the wall flush?
Kevin

#2
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That's an air admittance valve (AAV), likely as a vent for the washing machine drain. You need to keep it accessible and venting. The easiest way to cover it is to add an air conditioning return grate in front of it. The kind that doesn't open/close, but is always open.
If you feel like doing some drywall repair, you can make the hole smaller, but it definitely needs to be left open. I don't know if there's a manufacturer-specified hole required, but I'd imagine a 6"x6" hole would be sufficient.
If you feel like doing some drywall repair, you can make the hole smaller, but it definitely needs to be left open. I don't know if there's a manufacturer-specified hole required, but I'd imagine a 6"x6" hole would be sufficient.
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Thank you so much for the reply! The vent was covered by plywood and painted over so little air was entering from the room. Not a surprise, there was some shoddy work done by the contractors. I will add a vent and drywall the rest of the opening.