Signs That Your Plumbing Vents May Be Clogged

Not everyone realizes that the drain lines in their home are connected to pipes that ventilate sewer gases. This allows the pressure in the pipes to equalize in order to keep wastewater flowing. The pipes that carry these gases are your home’s vent lines, and it is essential for these lines to stay clear if you want to avoid serious plumbing issues.

If your plumbing vents do become clogged, it will affect your whole plumbing system. However, there are things to look out for that could help you identify a problem with your vent system before it becomes more serious.

What Are Plumbing Vents?

Plumbing vents allow the harmful gases in the pipes in your home to be vented outside. This is essential because if these gases are not removed, they could build up inside your home. These vents also allow air in your pipes, thus preventing a vacuum and avoiding the slow down in drainage that would occur at plumbing fixtures without the vents. This means it’s necessary to keep your plumbing vents working well if you want your plumbing system to work correctly.

Here are some signs that your plumbing vents may be clogged. It is important to look out for these signs and contact a plumber if you have any of these problems.

Sewage Smells

If you start to smell a strong scent of sewage in your home, there is a good chance your toilet vent pipe is clogged. This vent is meant to get rid of these odors, and if you detect a strong scent of sewage coming from the toilet, the gases are likely not venting as they should.

If the gases do not escape, they can, instead, re-enter the pipes and cause bad odors to emanate from the sink or toilet. Aside from smelling bad, sewer gas contains methane and is toxic to inhale. Additionally, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and is very combustible. So, it is vital to call a plumber. If you suspect methane gas or carbon monoxide poisoning, get everyone out of the house and call for help from outside of your home.

Slow Drains

There can be several reasons for sluggish drains, but clogged vent pipes are one of them. If several of your drains are clogged or slow to drain, there is probably a problem with your vent system. If all of your drains are clogged, you probably have a serious issue with your vent pipes. These vent pipes regulate the air pressure in your plumbing system. So, water will not travel properly through your pipes if they are clogged.

Weak Flushing

If your toilet does not have good water pressure or is slow to refill, you could have clogged vent lines. There are other issues that could cause this problem as well. But, if more simple fixes don’t seem to be working, clogged vent lines could be your problem.

Noisy Toilets

If your toilet is making gurgling noises, it could be a problem with your plumbing vents. Clogged plumbing vents can cause air to become trapped in your pipes. If this happens, the air will try to escape, generally through a sink or toilet. When this air escapes, it can cause gurgling sounds. So, if you hear gurgling sounds, you should contact a plumber.

Final Thoughts

If you have any of the problems listed in this article, you could have clogged plumbing vents. This can be a very serious issue due to possible methane gas or carbon monoxide, as well as the other problems it can cause with your plumbing system. Therefore, it is essential to call a plumber and have your vent lines checked unless you are sure something else is causing the problem.

Contact Us

For more information on clearing clogged vent lines or for scheduling professional service, call J. Griffin Heating and Plumbing at 781-520-1212 or connect with us on Facebook.