Hi Tim,
If the vent pipes are clogged,what do I do to unclogg them?
Clog Free Vent Pipes
Summary:
Plumbing vent pipes can clog causing problems such as sewer gas in your
home. Vents need to be checked for clogs. Your vents should be checked
by pouring water into them to see if they are clear.
Related Articles: Sewer Gas Smell, Foul Odor, Bathroom Sewer Odors, Sewer Gas & Sump Pump, Shower Drain Odor
Related Articles: Sewer Gas Smell, Foul Odor, Bathroom Sewer Odors, Sewer Gas & Sump Pump, Shower Drain Odor
Dear Tim: We have a bizarre problem that nobody understands. They pump the sewers in our street with some contraption called a VAC. Each time they do this I get water bubbling out of my toilets and a terrible sewer smell. Nobody including public works can explain why this is happening. The only toilet not affected is one in the basement that is on its own pump. The worst toilet is on my first floor. They advised me to put Saran wrap on my toilets. The suction is so great it pulls the Saran off the toilet. If you can shed light on this problem I will be forever grateful. The house was built in 1927 and the bathrooms have all been updated. Thank you. Laura, New Jersey
Dear Laura: I know exactly what is happening. The vent pipes for your plumbing system that extend through the roof are clogged or almost completely clogged. Another possible answer is any number of fixtures in your house are not vented properly.
When that vacuum truck is sucking out debris from the sewer line, any sewer tap between the vacuum and the sewer clog is subject to enormous suction forces. If the plumbing vent pipe is wide open, it can supply the needed air to satisfy the vacuum truck. But if your vent pipes are clogged or are not letting in enough air, the vacuum suctions out the water from the traps in all or several fixtures. Once this happens, the water seal is broken and sewer gas can enter the house.
Place a garden hose up in the vent pipes of your roof and turn the hoses on. Have someone help you inspect the inside of the house for leaks as the water is running. Vent pipe joints can leak in rare instances and it is possible for a vent pipe to crack. If the vent pipe is in good working order, the hose water will run forever without overflowing on the roof and there will be NO LEAKS indoors.
When that vacuum truck is sucking out debris from the sewer line, any sewer tap between the vacuum and the sewer clog is subject to enormous suction forces. If the plumbing vent pipe is wide open, it can supply the needed air to satisfy the vacuum truck. But if your vent pipes are clogged or are not letting in enough air, the vacuum suctions out the water from the traps in all or several fixtures. Once this happens, the water seal is broken and sewer gas can enter the house.
Place a garden hose up in the vent pipes of your roof and turn the hoses on. Have someone help you inspect the inside of the house for leaks as the water is running. Vent pipe joints can leak in rare instances and it is possible for a vent pipe to crack. If the vent pipe is in good working order, the hose water will run forever without overflowing on the roof and there will be NO LEAKS indoors.
Author's Note: We've received other emails with similar problems or questions. Here's one from Brian R. of Dearborn Heights, MI, regarding a clogged vent pipe.
"Bathroom sink drains really slow. Pipes are clear. Professional snaked. All types of cleaners. This sink will just not drain properly. I hear gurgles in the pipes when the shower is on or draining so I am thinking its a vent problem. How do I know if it is a vent problem and if not, how do I figure out what the problem is?"
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mardy 22 Dec 2007, 09:06
Laura 04 Feb 2008, 21:56
We just ran a snake line down our vent pipes, found multiple clogs (or was
pushing them down and breaking them out), then ran water down the vent
pipes with a hose. We are on a septic system and when we went to drain our
partially filled tub, it still drained out of the caulking of the bottom of
the toilet! It actually was worse that time than any others. Did we not
get the clog all the way or is there any idea?
AsktheBuilder 05 Feb 2008, 06:17
Laura,
Correct. The clog is now in the Wet part of the drain piping.
Cal 09 Feb 2008, 07:25
When showering, the toilet bubbles up. The toilet (new) flushes very
slowly in only one bathroom. How can I fix this?
AsktheBuilder 09 Feb 2008, 08:00
Cal,
Call a drain-cleaning service. You have a major clog in your drain pipes.
Mike 14 Feb 2008, 22:11
I have a tri-level house. My wife put caulking aroung the overflow drain
on the upstairs tub. For the fist time in two years we had water come
through our basement sink,toilet and shower drain. The caulk has been
removed but we can't drain the tub still without gargleing and overflow.
Is this a vent problem? Please HELP!
AsktheBuilder 15 Feb 2008, 17:20
Mike,
It sounds like a clog either in the drain line or maybe the vent line. Might be time to call a drain-cleaning company.
James Robinson 04 Mar 2008, 09:53
I have a problem when I do laundry I get dizzy and light headed what could
the problem be. We were in a tornado in 1996 and in 2001 I started to have
this problem no one can find out why. We do not have natural gas in the
house we have an all electric home. The roof was partly torn off the house
and we have had problems since.
AsktheBuilder 08 Mar 2008, 16:59
James,
Is there a broken plumbing vent pipe up in the attic? You might be a victim of methane gas poisoning.
bill ferrari 21 Mar 2008, 10:33
Every AM I smell sewer gas from bathroom sink.
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