Attention all Mr. Fixits .....

I have a 3" PVC vent pipe that runs up thru my roof .... in the winter, condensation obviously forms and is supposed to run down the inside of the vent pipe down to the main drain,and out of the house.

So here is my problem ... in the attic there is a T in the main 3" vent for a 1 1/2" vent ... on the bottom of the T it must have not sealed as the insulation was wet and it drips down the outside of the pipe into the basement, leaving a puddle.

There is no wetness above the T ... the roof is not leaking....it is a condensation issue ... do you think I could just run a bead around the bottom where the T and the pipe coming up into the attic connect?

Thoughts?

 

You could try that and see. It seems like it would almost be easier to cut and replace that T?

 

Ok so maybe not easier...but better.

 

Very cramped ... replacing it will cost a little money ... silicone won't cost any ... I am wondering if the silicone would work since it is just a vent and not a drain ...

 

I agree replace the T

 

Its worth a shot to just try the silicone.

 

What about taking the T off, re-glue it, and put it back? You could even put a bead of silicone around it afterwards if you wanted.

 

Put some RTV Blue Gasket sealer on it (or silicone (-: ). It shouldnt leak with that and like you said theres no pressure on it.

 

Once PVC is connected, it essentially is welded by the primer and glue ... no way to take the T off sans cutting it off

 

Apparently all the PVC I have worked with was not glued good enough I ripped a whole line apart this summer at work. Only had to cut one piece out

 

If it was glued then it shouldn't leak.
So of it was you natty have a crack

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Not enough glue... air pocket... no primer can all cause a poor seal.... I did not see a crack, but it is tight up there...

 

I'd be afraid of developing black mold somewhere down the line and just cut the T out and replace it. Sorry, not what you wanted to hear.

 

I gotta go with Mark on this one. Pain to do it, but it'll be done right and won't cause problems in the future.

 

As others have said replacing the T would be best but I would definatley try the silicone first. Check for leaks often and if there is none insulate the pipe so it does not condensate so much.

 

If you try silicone, they make an aerosol silicone spray, I think this would be your best bet(other than replacing)

 

Id replace it so I wouldn't have to worry about whether or not the silicone is "holding".

 

If you don't have time to do it right... when will you have time to do it twice?

Its your home... get er done... then enjoy all those deer you're going to shoot.

 

Would that work? I am thinking that the cold air runs down the vent as it is open at the top and meets the warmer air that comes from the warmed pipe inside ....

 

Sorry PT,
But it seems more like you are looking for the answer you want than the advice that will work.
Cut the pipe above the T and on each side of it about 6"
Go to the store get a T and 3 couplings a 2' piece of pipe and fix it.
I was in construction for 25 years before i got hurt.
If it is all glued together you have a crack probably from ice.
So first fix it the right way then put a draft cap on the pipe on the roof so no air can come back down it again


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