If you’ve ever had a slow-draining sink, a gurgling toilet, or a mysterious, unpleasant odor in your home, you could be dealing with a clogged plumbing vent. This small vent plays a huge role when it comes to keeping your plumbing system running smoothly. If you do have a clogged plumbing vent, ignoring it can end up turning into much bigger problems later. As an Orlando homeowner, you need to know how it works and how to fix it if needed.
What is a Plumbing Vent?
Your plumbing system is made up of more than just pipes and water. Air is just as important, and that’s where the plumbing vent comes in. This vent is a pipe that sticks out of your roof and lets air into your plumbing system. This is what helps water flow easily through the pipes. Without a vent, your plumbing system would have some major issues, the types of issues you’d like to avoid like slow drains or strange noises.
The vent also helps gases escape from your plumbing system to outdoors safely, instead of building up in your home. These gases can cause bad odors as well as pose health risks if they’re not properly vented. The plumbing vent, though mostly ignored and overlooked, plays a big part in keeping your plumbing system safe and functional.
P-Traps & ‘Cheater’ Vents
Now, before we dive into fixing that clogged vent, let’s talk about a couple of plumbing sidekicks: P-traps and “cheater” vents. You have probably noticed that there is a U-shaped pipe under your sinks. That’s called a P-trap. It holds just a little bit of water to keep stinky sewer gases at bay. As for “cheater” vents, well, they’re kind of like the knockoff brand of plumbing vents. They’re used when a proper roof vent isn’t possible, but they’re not as good as the real deal.
Is Your Plumbing Vent Clogged?
How do you know if your plumbing vent is clogged? Listen for the gurgle! If your drains sound like they’re auditioning for a horror movie every time you flush, that’s a big clue. Slow drains, sewage smells, and a toilet that’s being stubborn about flushing are also red flags. If you experience any of these, you most likely are dealing with a clogged plumbing vent. You might want to do a quick inspection of your plumbing vent. If there are any problems, addressing them early can help prevent other, more serious issues from developing.
How to Clean and Clear a Clogged Plumbing Vent
If you’ve determined that your vent is clogged, you can often clear it yourself. It can be cleared from the roof or from inside your attic. If you are not comfortable getting on the roof, or it poses significant safety problems for you, opt for cleaning the vent from inside your house. Better yet, instead of reducing the risks, get rid of them altogether by hiring a punctual plumber from Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Orlando to clear the clogged vent for you.
Cleaning the Clogged Vent from the RoofClimbing onto the Roof
Safety first! Climbing onto the roof can be dangerous, so make sure you use a sturdy ladder, wear non-slip shoes, and have someone with you for assistance.
- Test the vent for suction. Once you’re on the roof, locate the plumbing vent. It’s usually a small pipe sticking up from the roof. Have someone inside flush the toilet while you listen to the vent. If you hear a strong suction sound, the vent is clear. If not, it’s probably blocked.
- Clear the blockage. Use a plumber’s snake or fish tape to clear the blockage. Insert the snake into the vent pipe and feed it down until you feel resistance. That’s the clog. Twist and push the snake to break up the blockage and then pull it out. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely clear the vent.
- Test the vent suction again. After you’ve cleared the blockage, have someone inside flush the toilet again. If you hear a strong suction sound, the vent is clear. If everything sounds and drains normally, you’ve solved the problem!
Clearing the Vent from Inside Your Home
If getting onto the roof isn’t an option, you can try clearing the vent from inside your home.
- Accessing the plumbing vent. Find the plumbing vent pipe in your attic. You’ll need to cut into the PVC pipe to access the vent. Before you start, turn off the water supply and lay down a tarp to catch any debris.
- Running the snake. After cutting the pipe, insert the plumbing snake into the vent and feed it down until you encounter resistance. Twist and push the snake to break up the clog. Once it’s clear, remove the snake and check to see if the water flows smoothly.
- Repairing the Pipe: After you’ve cleared the plumbing vent, you’ll have to repair the cut in the pipe you used to access the clog. Use a PVC coupling to reconnect the cut sections, applying PVC primer and cement to create a secure, watertight seal.
How to Keep Your Plumbing Vent Clear
Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop this from happening again? Here are some tips: Keep your vent clear of debris, install a critter-proof vent cap (because nobody wants a squirrel condo in their plumbing), and make sure your vent pipe is the right size for your home. Preventing future clogs is easier than dealing with them once they happen.
Don’t Put Yourself at Risk
Remember, there’s no shame in calling for backup. If you’re in over your head or the problem keeps coming back, it’s time to bring in the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. After all, they deal with this stuff every day!
So there you have it – your crash course in clogged plumbing vents. Here’s to smooth-flowing drains and odor-free homes!