Toilet vent stack how to#

When you flush your toilet, do you hear sounds from your bathtub or sinks?.Even if there’s not a complete blockage, if you notice any of the following, inspect your plumbing vent pipe or contact a professional to assess the situation. There are several ways to tell if your plumbing vent is clogged. Building codes often prevent its use because of ineffectiveness. A “cheater” is a one-way vent installed after the trap on the drain line of a toilet or sink. If you don’t see a plumbing vent poke up through your roof covering, an interior vent or “cheater” vent may have been installed. While relying solely on a p-trap isn’t ideal, it does usually keep a vacuum from forming. It’s the U-shaped piece of pipe beneath your sinks and behind the toilets. Like the plumbing vent, a p-trap prevents odorous gas from seeping up through a toilet, sink or floor drain. In older homes, a vent may also be located under a kitchen or bathroom cabinet at a level above the p-trap. It’s best to have your plumbing vent atop your roof to let noxious fumes leave your home above nose level. Water and waste will again freely flow down into your sewer line or septic system.Ī plumbing vent or “stack” as the pros call it, runs from your plumbing through your attic to the top of your roof. The air pressure then equalizes and keeps a vacuum from forming. The plumbing vent lets air above your roof enter the pipe. When water runs down your drains or toilets, it can fill the pipe and create a vacuum.

Toilet vent stack how to#

Read these tips to learn how to clean and clear a plumbing vent. Left unchecked, sewer gasses can seep into your home to cause sickness or even lead to explosions. You’ll likely know it’s clogged if there’s a gurgling sink or foul odors inside your house. When your plumbing vent pipe is clogged, you put yourself and your loved ones at risk. Do you have plumbing problems because of a clogged vent? Find out how to diagnose and fix plumbing vent problems here.