Soil Stack Query

[JL78]

Hi,

I've just moved in to a basement flat in Edinburgh and am considering replacing the rear window with a door. There is a pipe coming off the stack which crosses in front of the window, (see link below for photo - the pipe on the right of the picture turns right just above the top of the picture before joining the stack). I'm guessing (based on the gradient) that it allows air in to our drainage system rather than carrying waste water?

I've had two quotes for the door - one said that the pipe could be removed completely and the other (the more expensive!) said that it would need to be maintained and buried.

Can anyone confirm what the pipe is for and give any advice on whether it can be removed.

Thanks a lot for any help.

Cheers,

J.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/20110411existingrearwin.jpg/

 

[DeltaT2]

You can't be in a very posh part of Edinburgh mate with that plastic pipe shaped like that stuck in??!!! My understanding was that in the New Town only Cast Iron pipe could be used on tenement property.

What to do is phone round SNIPEF Plumbers & get quotes to dig up the drain below the ground & alter the Soil Vent Pipe.