Loft air admittance valve mess

[TC2023]

Just noticed this whilst in the loft, bit of a mess. Getting a faint foul odour smell up there. This internal stack is for a bath, toilet and sink. There is another externally vented stack for the other bathrooms. No draining issues in the house.

There is a ring of water and staining all over the valve, I’m guessing condensation? Got someone to flush the loo whilst I was next to it and cant hear the valve do anything. It’s about 16 years old. Also has this polystyrene cover which has been cut as the stack is tight to the wood and mould growing.

Would really appreciate if someone could point out what needs to be done here to fix the mess.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Would suggest valve is stuck open. I'd cut a bit off the soil pipe to lower it, and allow the valve to clear the timber, (it's still going to be plenty high enough, unless you've anything connected to that stack in the loft space), and replace the valve. Clean mould off timber with a suitable product.

 

[RandomGrinch]

...a couple of 45° bends could also be added, to take the AAV well away from the rafter and wall?

 

[TC2023]

Thank you very much. I’m thinking of replacing it with a mcalpine, do you know if that’s a good brand? Also do you know if you need a polystyrene cover over the top, I presume this is meant to stop it freezing during the colder months

 

[Mr Chibs]

I've recently replace a dodgy AAV with one of these... initial impression is that it's better made than the on it replaced, also a fair bit larger.

McAlpine AAV

Can't see why you'd need to insulate it, you shouldn't be getting vapour leaking out of it.

 

[TC2023]

Thanks everyone, going to cut the stack a bit shorter and fit the McAlpine

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

McAlpine products are better quality than most. Shouldn't have an issue with that.

Insulation would be to try and prevent it freezing shut in the colder months.

 

[TC2023]

Thank you everyone, cut the stack shorter and fitted the McAlpine.

Hopefully this timber will dry out and be ok, does anyone know if it warrants a repair?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

See how soft it is, looks to me though like small area of surface damage, and unlikely to affect the integrity of the timber.

Edited to correct spelling mistake!)

 

[TC2023]

Thank you