# Suspicious Vent Pipe in the Attic **URL:** \ **Category:** Misc. Discussion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078 "2025-03-23T19:28:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zhuang2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/zhuang2/32/265228_2.png) [@zhuang2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/zhuang2)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/1 "2025-03-23T19:28:43Z")
During an inspection of a two-story house, I noticed a suspicious vent pipe in the attic. I’m not certain whether it’s currently in use—it doesn’t appear to extend beyond the exterior roof structure, and there seems to be a large opening at the top. Unfortunately, my drone was out of commission, so I couldn’t check the roof’s exterior. Based on the condition of the roof insulation (and the fact that it rained recently), it doesn’t look like there’s been any water intrusion. This vent pipe is located above the second-floor laundry area. Can anyone help me figure out what this pipe might be for, and whether this situation should be considered a defect? Thanks! ![Suspicious Vent Pipe in the Attic](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/a/e/b/aeb8243bb73add498d5e61f122a4343ee677fdf2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/2 "2025-03-23T20:25:41Z")
Try listing the top 3 things you think this might be for… ---
**Author:** ![msenty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/msenty/32/271584_2.png) [@msenty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/msenty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/3 "2025-03-23T20:25:50Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > Unfortunately, my drone was out of commission Where was your 12’ extension ladder? That length will easily reach a roof line at 20 feet. I don’t think anyone can answer your question without a picture from the roof view. ---
**Author:** ![jspencer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jspencer/32/172267_2.png) [@jspencer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jspencer)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/4 "2025-03-23T20:38:49Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > This vent pipe is located above the second-floor laundry area. What did it sound like when you started the dryer? ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/5 "2025-03-23T20:50:15Z")
If it is a dryer vent, I never understood why any builder would vent through the roof. I’ve yet to come across one, but will make note of it when I do… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/3/0/b/30bc1ed3f5a28bbb2a8dbf42871b44e9cb26a158.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/5/2/2/522df1d321ba1f39541c4923d74bc8413f27bd55.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mfellman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mfellman/32/369692_2.png) [@mfellman](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mfellman)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/6 "2025-03-23T20:56:09Z")
Sometimes, the easiest way is to rule out what it’s NOT for. Could you verify all the bath/laundry fans elsewhere? Dryer vent? Kitchen range exhaust? Gas appliance vents? ---
**Author:** ![zhuang2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/zhuang2/32/265228_2.png) [@zhuang2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/zhuang2)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/7 "2025-03-23T20:56:30Z")
Let me get more pictures from roof Thank you ---
**Author:** ![jspencer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jspencer/32/172267_2.png) [@jspencer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jspencer)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/8 "2025-03-23T20:58:57Z")
> [@jspencer](#): > > > [@zhuang2](#): > > > > This vent pipe is located above the second-floor laundry area. > > What did it sound like when you started the dryer? > [@zhuang2](#): > > Let me get more pictures from roof > > Thank you Did you listen to the pipe while the dryer was running? ---
**Author:** ![kleonard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kleonard/32/170953_2.png) [@kleonard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kleonard)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/9 "2025-03-23T21:04:40Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > This vent pipe is located above the second-floor laundry area. Unless you located the dryer vent hood in a different area, I’d have to go with dryer vent duct, and one that looks to be improperly installed. ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/10 "2025-03-23T21:06:09Z")
What was at the other end of the pipe? ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/11 "2025-03-23T21:14:28Z")
> [@sfetty](#): > > What was at the other end of the pipe ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/4/4/f/44fa6492e92df7e3fe950e95637a1dec5a809e2e.png) 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/12 "2025-03-23T21:25:45Z")
Another thread… More Tomfoolery… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/4/2/3/4231d220787f49992aa41076ef62c8defe4e80a7.png) > [@tglaze](#): > > ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/4/4/f/44fa6492e92df7e3fe950e95637a1dec5a809e2e.png) Is it refreshing for you to have Elon replacing President Trump living rent free in your head? 🤷‍♂️ Or did you suppress your TDS to make this post about Elon? I suspect there could be a box at the other end of the pipe which might clarify what the “unknown” pipe’s function is intended for. ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/13 "2025-03-23T21:33:57Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > and whether this situation should be considered a defect?.. This looks suspiciously like daylight. If that’s the case, what the pipe is for doesn’t matter as much, lol. At first I thought reflection from the flashing, but I don’t know. Think I see blue sky? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/2/f/f/2ffa8591068aec3bac8f32847402813c2eac3610.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/14 "2025-03-23T21:35:58Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > Can anyone help me figure out what this pipe might be for, and whether this situation should be considered a defect? Thanks! And the answer is 🤫 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/5/f/4/5f417176a8237ee9de8bddb43c9dbee0e9ac4308.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/15 "2025-03-23T21:38:35Z")
> [@sfetty](#): > > Or did you suppress your TDS to make this post about Elon? Your head is so flat that humor flies over it faster than a Love bug on your windshield… ---
**Author:** ![jkirch2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jkirch2/32/57038_2.png) [@jkirch2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jkirch2)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/16 "2025-03-24T00:44:06Z")
Looks like a bathroom exhaust fan vent to me, and it doesn’t look like it was sealed properly as far as I can tell from the photo. ---
**Author:** ![wjones18](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wjones18/32/397367_2.png) [@wjones18](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wjones18)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/17 "2025-03-24T00:51:45Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > my drone was out of commission Isn’t inspecting the roof a requirement? If your drone is not working, how hard is it to bring a ladder with you. Do your clients really trust your report if you can’t simply get on the roof. Obviously the roof was not a steep pitch or you could see it from the ground. The vent pipe is most likely the ceiling fan in the laundry room. I suggest you do no more inspections till you buy yourself a ladder. ---
**Author:** ![msenty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/msenty/32/271584_2.png) [@msenty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/msenty)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/18 "2025-03-24T01:36:47Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > Let me get more pictures from roof Good idea! This is a prime example of why one should not own a drone. No disdain towards @zhuang2, but I hope new inspectors learn from this scenario. One becomes lazy when using a drone, in this case resulting in an inspection that does not include inspecting the roof. Minimum, inspect the roof at the roof edge using your ladder, then, if you must, use your drone. On a pitch 6/12 or flatter, it’s way faster to walk the roof. Disclaimer: “My drone did not work so I was unable to inspect the roof”. A better disclaimer is, “I inspected the roof from the roof edge using a ladder with 20’ of extension. Some areas of the roof were inaccessible due to XXXXX.” The former disclaimer won’t instill buyer confidence in the inspector’s report. The latter disclaimer lets the buyer know the inspector did his job as best as the conditions allowed. ---
**Author:** ![jspencer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jspencer/32/172267_2.png) [@jspencer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jspencer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/19 "2025-03-24T02:06:43Z")
> [@msenty](#): > > This is a prime example of why one should not own a drone. What an asinine statement. Every piece of equipment that we use can fail during an inspection. It’s what the inspector does to remedy the problem that counts. ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078/20 "2025-03-24T02:33:03Z")
> [@zhuang2](#): > > Can anyone help me figure out what this pipe might be for, Question: _What is the insulated vent for to the right of the vertical vent pipe?_ When was this installed? Refer the venders agent for disclosure. I would have turn on the second floor bathroom fan first, and later the dryer to hear what the vent might me for. If it is for a clothes dryer. I suspect it is installed in a site manufactured roof base with a whirlybird roof turbine vent, due to the visible daylight surrounding the vent pipe. As well I suspect it needs to be wrapped in insulation for 24" to reduce the chances for condensation. [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/suspicious-vent-pipe-in-the-attic/254078.md?page=2)