Originally posted on https://nationaleconomyplumber.com/3-signs-you-have-a-clogged-plumbing-vent/
The Romans were the first people to build elaborate plumbing systems so they could bring spring water from the mountains to supply their cities.
They also used these advancements for better waste disposal systems. Before Romans used underground sewers to empty waste into the rivers, communities emptied their sewage into the streets.
Nowadays, plumbing systems are intricate. Not every clog is fixable using a plunger. In fact, a plunger only handles small clogs, whereas anything larger requires the expertise of a professional plumber.
If your plumbing vent is clogged, your plumbing system will stop working correctly. You should be able to tell rather quickly there’s a problem.
There are a few telltale signs that indicate your plumbing vent is clogged. Do you want to know what they are?
Read this guide to learn the signs that you may have a clogged drain vent.
What are Plumbing Vents?
Before we discuss sure signs that your drain vent is clogged, let’s go over what that vent does and why it’s important.
Drain pipes remove water and waste from your home. They can become clogged, but they aren’t the only pipes that can become clogged.
Plumbing vents remove gas and odors from your home. They also regulate the air pressure in your plumbing system.
Without vents, water and waste could not move from place to place in an efficient manner.
The plumbing vent pipe is a vertical pipe that attaches to the drain line and runs through the roof of a home.
The pipe leading to the main roof vent is called the vent stack. It helps maintain proper atmospheric pressure in a building’s waste system and channels the exhaust gasses to the vent.
Your home or office’s plumbing systems are composed of both drainage and vent systems that work together to remove water and waste.
Those vent pipes provide fresh air to all the plumbing fixtures so that the system can efficiently move water through the drainage pipes each time a sink is drained, or a toilet is flushed.
Plumbing vent pipes are always located away from windows and HVAC units so that fumes dissipate easily without contaminating those air sources.
The significance of plumbing vents has been established. Now let’s look at the top signs to look for, which may mean a vent is clogged.
1. Strong Sewage Smells
Strong sewage smells are a telltale sign that your toilet vent pipe may be clogged.
One of the main jobs of vent pipes is to get rid of those nasty odors and gasses, so if you smell something off, it’s time to check it out.
If there is a clog in the plumbing vent, those sewer gasses can’t escape properly. That means it’s possible they’ll re-enter your home through the drains.
If you smell a distinct or unpleasant odor from either your toilets or your sinks, it’s possible that vent is clogged.
Not only is it a gross smell, but methane is also something you don’t want your family or customers breathing in. It’s combustible, and it can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you smell something strange or gross, call a plumber immediately.
2. Gurgling Toilets And/Or Drains
Have you noticed strange gurgling sounds coming from your toilet after you flush? Have you noticed those sounds coming from your drains?
If a plumbing vent is clogged, that means that air can’t escape your plumbing system how it’s supposed to. When that happens, the air will find the nearest exit, which is usually your toilet or your sink.
It makes noise as it escapes, which is what causes those gurgling sounds. If you notice any of these noises, call a professional as soon as possible.
3. Sluggish Drains
Slow drains can stem from several issues. But one of those issues pertains to a clogged plumbing vent.
If you notice that one or all of your drains are backed up and very sluggish, it could indicate a vent issue. When a plumbing vent gets clogged, it can’t regulate the air pressure within your plumbing system to keep things flowing properly.
Call your local plumber to find out if it’s due to a clogged drain vent or something else.
You Might Need an Expert
When it comes to a clogged vent, Drano will not cut it. Plus those harsh cleaners like Drano take a toll on your pipes the more they’re used. So, regardless of your plumbing situation, it’s always best to call a professional.
And plumbing jobs can be messy. Sometimes a clogged vent will require a professional plumber to open up the walls of your home to get a good look at your drainage system.
Because most drain vent pipes are up near the roof, sometimes debris from the roof can even clog a pipe. Bird’s nests, debris, and rodents are all known culprits for clogging vent pipes.
Going up on a roof is dangerous, especially when you’re trying to search for the cause of a clog. It’s in your best interest to hire a professional if there may be a clog in a vent pipe.
Don’t Wait to Get Your Plumbing Vent Checked
An essential thing to remember about plumbing issues, especially if it pertains to a clogged plumbing vent, is not to wait too long to fix an issue.
If methane gas releases into your home or your business, your family or customers could get sick or hurt.
Plus, the sooner you call a professional and tackle any plumbing issue, the less likely it is that you must reach deep into your pockets to pay a large bill.
Either way, we are here to help. Have a question? Give us a call or request a quote.