Many homeowners do not understand the complexity of the components of their plumbing system. Did you know that there are vent pipes on the top of your roof that are connected to your bathtubs, toilets, sinks and other fixtures? These vent pipes help maintain the equilibrium in the drains. As waste water is washed down the drain pipes, air enters from the outside. These vents also allow sewer gases to escape into the air for the safety of the people in the house. But when one of these vent pipes gets clogged, you need the services of a plumbing Perry Hall expert to fix the problem. Here are some ways you can tell if these vents have a clog or blockage.
Listen to Your Toilet
One of the first signs that your vent pipe might be clogged is a gurgling toilet. When you flush your toilet, does it seem like air is coming up through the pipe? Does it make a gurgling sound? If so, you could have a clogged vent pipe.
Slow Drains
Another sign that you have a clogged vent pipe is if you have one or more drains in your household that aren’t draining as quickly as they should be. With a properly functioning drain pipe, you shouldn’t notice a lagging in the drain speed unless there is a clog in that particular pipe. If several pipes in one area of the house are clogged, though, it’s a good sign that it’s a clogged vent pipe.
Check It Out
The only way to tell for sure if the vent pipe is clogged is to take a look at it. For this, you’ll need a ladder, a flashlight and a long rope. Find the pipe on the roof that corresponds with the area where the problem areas are. Remove anything that is obstructing the vent and its covers. Next, tie the rope to the flashlight and slowly drop it down into the vent shaft. This will give you some light so you can see if there are any obstructions.
Contact a Professional
If you see an obstruction, the best thing to do is to call your plumbing Perry Hall professional. There are ways to deal with the clog yourself, but you could also cause some damage to your pipes if you aren’t careful. You can get the job taken care of affordably and quickly without risking damage by calling your local plumber to do the job.
For all your plumbing needs in the Perry Hall area, Saffer Plumbing & Heating is the company to call. Their plumbing specialists have experience in everything from clogged vent pipes to laying pipes for new bathrooms and kitchens.
