Plumbing venting is critical to having a functioning home. In this guide, we’ll cover plumbing venting basics, techniques, and maintenance tips.
Buying a home is exciting for first-time homeowners. But like many homeowners, they may not know the importance of a well-maintained home. Besides security, design, decoration and landscaping, there are other important aspects to consider.
These things help you live in comfort. One of them is your plumbing system.
Most homeowners have a general idea how their plumbing system works. Many know how to replace a fixture or clear a clogged drain. But most don’t understand plumbing venting.
Here’s a guide to plumbing venting – its importance, structural design and maintenance.
Release of Pressure
PVC plumbing vent on roof
A plumbing vent, also known as a vent stack, is more than just a pipe. It runs from a plumbing fixture through the roof. If you look at most houses, you’ll see plumbing vents poke up through the roofs.
Plumbing vents let air pressure ease out through the plumbing system. Although some believe their purpose is to let air into the pipes, that’s not the case.
All the drains in a home are open. Do you think it’s difficult for air to get in? So while these vents do let air enter, their primary job is to release pressure in the plumbing
If you don’t have plumbing vents, dangerous sewer gases can build up and make it hard for water to easily pass through the pipes.
A clogged vent is a problem because air can’t escape, not because it can’t get in.
Gravity, Air and Traps
Gravity and air work to push water down the drain, and they do a good job. Many home drains have a trap that creates a low area that’s filled with water even after the basin is emptied.
The trap’s function is to assure no dangerous sewer gases go up the pipe and through the drain into the house. Because the trap remains filled, sewer gases remain in the pipes.
A plumbing vent system lets air escape as water passes through the trap so water remains there.
Avoid Risks to Health
You need plumbing vents to keep your house safe. All your plumbing fixtures should be well ventilated. Make sure all the vents meet in the attic so you make fewer holes in your roof.
When air passes through pipes freely, a suction effect is prevented thanks to plumbing vents. As a result, dangerous gases can’t find their way into your house.
Suction is caused by water being pulled into the sewer line. If no water’s dragged in, there’s no suction to help gases get into the house and make its occupants sick.
With well-functioning vents, your home will be free of such risks.
Watch for Signs of Trouble
Once plumbing vents are installed in your home, you must do regular maintenance on them. If they don’t function properly, your whole drainage system will malfunction.
Look out for signs such as gurgling drains, standing water in bathtubs or sink and slowly draining water. These may indicate a blocked vent.
When blocked, undesirable compression builds in the drainage tubes and disturbs water movement. You can clear drains but you can’t prevent stoppages with the vent still blocked.
Use a plunger, auger or a drain cleaner. If the issue persists, don’t wait for the smell of sewer gases. Call an experienced plumber to fix it before you put your family in harm’s way
A Professional Can Help
Plumbing vents in your home are important. Many homeowners don’t understand their importance, so they don’t know how to take care of them. Call an experienced plumber to maintain your plumbing vents when you notice a problem.
Call us at (402) 731-2727 today and get the professional help you need for all your plumbing needs. For quality plumbing services, we’re the answer.