We have a 2" PVC pipe that runs to the soffit. I had to move it, while moving it, a little bit of water came out. It points down to the soffit. I'm not sure what it's purpose is as we have a stink pipe that goes up through the roof where all fixtures, etc run to a main run to that vent.

I haven't traced this back yet- any ideas on what it could be? Should it be dripping out through the soffit?

 

Only you can see what you have. Track the pipe back and see where it leads. There shouldn't be any pipe leading to the soffit so what it "should be" doesn't much apply. You need to find out what somebody thought was a good idea. It could be a plumbing vent, and air conditioner condensate drain or a conduit to run wiring for a security camera under the soffit.

 

Possibly a ceiling fan vent pipe from a bathroom.

 

Hi, thank you for the replies. I will trace that pipe back.

I do know that it's not security wire as I had to move it, it's empty. I know that it's not a bath fan vent as the 2 upstairs are vented through the roof. We don't have HVAC or AC. I'm just surprised at a pipe dumping into the soffit.

 

There shouldn't be anything dumping into the soffit.

 

Not likely, but is there a water heater in the attic sitting in a drain pan?

 

No, just attic space - no equipment at all.Our water is heated off of our boiler.

 

Your the only one who is going to be able to answer the question, could be a piece of left over part but we're only guessing!!

 

You are correct, however, I was looking for advice along the lines of is this typical and it sounds like it's not. I do plan on tracing it back and will report my finding.

 

I traced the pipe back to the main pipe that all other pipes connect into (bathroom, toilets, etc), that main pipe goes up through the roof.

This break off is odd, it just points down to the soffit.

 

So it was connected to the main stack with a tee.
Is this correct?

If yes then it sounds like someone in the past had a problem with the stack getting plugged and this was their fix.
Do you live in an area where snow/ice could block the stack/vent?
They may have done this so they did not have to go up on the roof to clear it.
In any case it is wrong but that is just my opinion.

If anything it will ensure that the stack will clog more because the warm steamy air from showers etc. will be diverted out the side vent once the top of the stack gets some snow on it instead of out the top of the stack which is what keeps the stack clear in the winter.
So in winter the main stack clogs and everything is vented out through the soffits which in my region is against the code ( I think).

 

I just remembered that when we moved in, there was no attic entrance, I made one and found that pipe next to where I put the entrance. That pipe was there from the start. It's not a T but a Y (not sure that it matters). We live in New England and get snow/ice every winter. The stink pipe, just like just about everyone else's here is a PVC pipe that vents straight up with no cap or cover to stop rain from going into it.

 

The stack (stink pipe) goes down to your sewer line so water going into it is not a problem.
Hopefully others will jump in with their ideas on this.
I am just guessing as I have never seen or heard of this.

 

Nope, never heard or seen anything like this before.

The only thing I can think is during an old renovation, a vent was redirected out the side of the house, up the wall, and back-vented into the main stack. At some point someone didn't like the pipe going up the side of the house and cut it off. Really a shot in the dark.

I don't see any reason that it shouldn't be cut out and capped off at the main stack.

 

This was put in during the building of the home in 2004 unless someone re-sheetrocked an entrance that I can't find. It had to of been installed for some reason. I'd really like it removed if there's no function.

 

Good morning. I found some older photographs, before I added more insulation.

I've noted the photos with text. I forgot that our washer has pipe running to this pipe in question. Could I possibly cap after the washer pipe so that this is not venting out and down into the soffit?

 

That's odd. With those pics it looks like the vent was jerry-rigged. The vent is supposed to be tied into the main stack or drain, so any water that collects in the vent pipe can drain out. It looks like instead of draining correctly into the building drain, it's draining out the eve.

Is there a connection to anything other than the washer drain?

 

The washer is the only thing connected to that line into the soffit. I believe that I was standing right at the main stack line when I took that second photo.

 

You have a washer in your attic?

 

No... I imagine that it's vent pipe for it.

 

So......you are saying that the PVC pipe running over and pointed down in the soffit is the plumbing vent?

 

All I am saying is that there's a PVC branch from the main pipe that terminates into the soffit, there's also a washer that connects to that branch.

 

Sounds like it was never inspected.

 

Your pics dont jive..That ty is going two different directions in both pics. Seems like your not telling the whole story..

Is that two different ty's

Take complete pics of stack and soffit..

Draw a pic.

Its a correct vent. you sure that pipe dont aim down in wall for say sink in garage, or basement bath future vent?

 

Here's a drawing on the attic.

 

OK what we know so far is that it is a vent.
Also that it is probably against code. The reason I say probably is because it was installed when the building was constructed so must/should of been inspected.

Why do you want to cap it. Were you getting stink out of it.

Can it be capped just beyond the washer inlet depends on the slope.
So you will probably have to crawl up here with a level.
All lines should slope towards the main stack so that any water gets in or condensation builds up it will drain to the main stack and not plug any of the vents.

Note that even if there is slope this set up may cause plugging as any water will freeze in the winter and cause a dam, then eventually plug.

So if you have lived through a couple winters in this place and there is no stink or water coming from the soffit vent I would leave it.
My reasoning is that unless there is a problem why mess with success.

 

Slope is opposite of this comment.. Slop is away from stack.

Lets see the soffit termination OP... Thanks

 

I'll get a photo of the termination to confirm it's open. I'll check the slope too. I'm have an energy audit done on the house this Friday so I plan to be up there. I either need to move that pipe or cap it as I need to build a foam box around the attic opening and right now I can't due to that pipe.

If you look at the last photo, where pipe in question is marked, I may cut there, put an eblow towards the right, then a add a 8" PVC run in and then another 90, pipe down to the washer vent, t that and run to the next soffit bay.