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Glue the Santee and Vent Riser — Install the Drain Stub-Out

Intermediate

Part of project

How to Rough-In Plumbing for a Bathroom Vanity · Step 4 of 8

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In this video

Apply PVC primer to the outside of the pipe ends and the inside of the santee fitting sockets. Follow this by applying PVC cement to the same surfaces. Firmly push the santee onto the pipe sections, ensuring the side opening is oriented correctly to accept the P-trap. Then, assemble and glue the riser for the auto-vent. If necessary, use 90-degree elbows and short pieces of pipe to create an offset to position the vent in an optimal, high location within the cabinet, away from obstructions.

Goal: Install the Drain and Vent Connection

  • Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling fumes from the primer and cement.

Used in this video

  • Santee FittingCreating the T-junction in the drain line.
  • PVC Pipe (Pipe Material Type: PVC)Creating the vent riser and offset pieces.
  • PVC 90-Degree Elbows (Fitting Type: Elbow, Size/Dimensions: 1 1/2' DWV) · optionalCreating an offset for the vent riser if a straight path is obstructed.
  • Tape MeasureMeasuring pipe lengths for the vent riser and offset.
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FAQs

How difficult is it to rough-in plumbing for a vanity, and how long should I expect it to take?

This project is rated "intermediate" because it requires precise measurements, proper pipe joining techniques, and an understanding of plumbing codes. For a DIYer with some experience, expect 8-16 hours of work, depending on existing wall access and any unforeseen issues. Costs can range from $150-$300 for materials, assuming you already own basic tools.

What are the most crucial safety precautions I should take when roughing-in plumbing?

Always shut off the main water supply before cutting into existing lines to prevent flooding. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, especially when using power tools like drills and hole saws. Be mindful of electrical wires inside walls when drilling or cutting.

The guide mentions PEX for supply lines; can I use copper or CPVC instead, and what are the pros of PEX?

While copper and CPVC are alternatives, PEX is often preferred for DIY projects due to its flexibility, ease of installation (fewer fittings, no soldering), and resistance to freezing. However, PEX requires specific crimp or expansion tools. If you're comfortable with soldering, copper is a durable choice, and CPVC offers a rigid, solvent-weld option.

What are the most common mistakes DIYers make when roughing-in a vanity's drain and supply lines?

A common mistake is incorrect drain slope, leading to clogs – ensure a 1/4 inch per foot slope for DWV lines. Another error is misplacing supply stub-outs, making fixture installation difficult; always double-check vanity and sink specifications. Also, failing to properly prime and cement PVC joints can cause leaks.

Transcript
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Once my cut is complete, I can glue on this santi. Remember, whenever you're gluing inside of a finished cabinet, you want to be really careful especially if you're using purple primer or colored PVC glue. You can get clear glue, which is helpful, but some code requires that you use a colored primer and glue so that you can see that you've glued the pipe. So we're going to glue this all together. So I like to glue on the horizontal trap arm with the threaded trap adapter, and then I'll glue the santi onto our stand pipe coming up from below. It's important to make sure that that pipe is angled over towards the drain on the disposal where it's going to connect. Once the santi is in place, it's really ideal if you can just run a pipe straight up from there and put the auto vent on top. You want to get that auto vent as high up in the cabinet as possible. You can see in this cabinet because there is a whole bunch of extra structure, I can't come straight off the top of my pipe, so I'm going to need to do an offset and that's fine. You can do an offset when you're running an auto vent. In this case, I'm just going to cut a couple of pieces, a couple of 90s. We'll get that all fit together and once again, we'll get that auto vent up as high as possible in the cabinet.

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