Cleaning A Vent Pipe From The Attic

Sluggish drains aren t always caused by obstructions in the drain lines.

Cleaning a vent pipe from the attic.

While it s easy to appreciate the role of the drain and waste pipes the role of the vents may not be as obvious. To do it yourself start by clearing debris from around the pipe. The vent pipe can also be blocked and when this is the problem your plumbing system will not function as it should. Although it might seem counterintuitive you often can fix them by climbing to the roof.

Every home plumbing system consists of pipes that bring water into the house and pipes that take it away. The vent pipes are part of the drain waste vent or dwv system of a house or building and they do not carry water inside them. How to clean plumbing vent pipes. Before you clean a dryer vent on the roof vacuum out the vent behind the dryer since it s easier to clean out the length of the vent from the ground floor.

How to unclog a vent pipe. Clogged vent pipe symptoms. Just as drain pipes remove water and waste from your home the plumbing vent pipe also known as a plumbing air vent removes gas and odors. Signs of a clogged vent pipe are like the symptoms of a blocked drain but what are the.

It also allows fresh air into the plumbing system to help water flow smoothly through the drain. The plumbing vent also known as a vent stack helps regulate the air pressure in your plumbing system. Still if a blockage is in place you have two options. Once the vent is exposed use a vent brush first clean the exterior surfaces.

The pipes in the second category form the home s drain waste vent dwv system. Instead they serve to equalize air pressure within the dwv system and also release sewer gases into the outdoor air as all vent pipes terminate through the roof. The warm moist air inside the vent tends to condense on the colder walls of the pipe and the water droplets catch lint which also gets wet and sticks to the pipe. Then get on the roof and peel back any shingles that may be covering the vent as well as the guard.