How To Tell if Your Plumbing Vent Is Clogged

When your plumbing vent is clogged or frozen, it can result in a slew of plumbing issues that need to be addressed ASAP. Clogs can lead to harmful gases and toxins backing up into your home, putting you and your loved ones at risk. In order to determine if your plumbing vent is clogged, our expert plumbers at Campbell & Company are covering signs to look out for and ways in which to resolve the issue.

What Is a Plumbing Vent?

When water runs down drains, it can fill the pipe and essentially create a vacuum effect. To prevent a vacuum from forming, your plumbing system utilizes a plumbing vent. A plumbing vent is a component that allows air from above your roof to enter the pipes. The air from the vent prevents the water in the pipe from creating a vacuum so that it can continue to flow freely into your sewer line and septic tank. Having your plumbing vent on top of your roof is your best bet for pushing noxious gases out and away from your home.

Signs Your Plumbing Vent Is Clogged

If you’re unsure of whether or not your vent is clogged, look out for the following indicators:

• You hear sounds from your sink or tub when you flush your toilet
• Your sinks are gurgling while attempting to drain
• You notice a pungent “rotten egg” odor coming from your bathroom or kitchen drains

Causes of a Clogged Plumbing Vent

The above are frustrating issues that may be caused by one or more of the following:

• Overgrown tree branches or leaves hanging in the way of the vent
• Vermin, such as rats, squirrels, or birds, intruding upon your vent
• Your plumbing vent is too small for your plumbing needs
• Your vent cap doesn’t properly fit your vent

How To Clear Your Plumbing Vent

If any of the above is true for you, there are steps you can take to ensure your plumbing vent is clean so that it can function as intended:

• Climb onto your roof if you have easy and safe access to it (if not, call a professional!).
• Hold your hand near the vent while someone flushes a toilet. If you don’t feel any suction, your vent is blocked.
• Use a plumber’s snake to remove whatever is blocking the vent.
• Should the above step not fully work, try flushing out the remaining debris with a water hose.
• Repeat step two; if you still aren’t feeling suction, hire a professional for help.

Attempting to access your roof to perform plumbing work can be dangerous, and it's also important to have the right tools to tackle your plumbing problems. Because of this, it's always best to call a professional when you need help with any plumbing tasks. Campbell & Company provides expert plumbing services in Yakima, the Tri-Cities, and surrounding areas, so don't hesitate to contact us when you need plumbing help.

Call Campbell & Company today at 509-545-9848 to schedule plumbing services with our expert plumbers in Yakima and the Tri-Cities.