How to Clear a Clogged Plumbing Vent

If your plumbing fixtures drain slowly, the problem may be a clogged vent. This happens when vents are improperly located and when birds or animals deposit debris in the vent where it exits the roof.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Hose And Nozzle
• Bright Flashlight
• Extension Ladder
• Roof Ladder

1. Set up an extension ladder to access the roof below the vent. Typically the vent consists of a metal or plastic pipe 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in diameter that extends about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) above the roof surface, usually above a bathroom.

2. Install a roof ladder so you can work next to the vent. This single ladder hooks over the ridge and extends to the access ladder, allowing you to work safely and prevent damaging the roof.

3. Shine a bright light down the vent pipe to look for leaves, nesting materials or other debris you may be able to remove from above.

4. Put a garden hose into the vent and turn on the water. Listen for water backing up and a sudden whoosh when the weight of the water forces the clog into and down the drain. Or feed the hose down into the vent as you would a plumber's snake to dislodge a clog that's not solid enough to dam water.

Tips & Warnings

• Never walk on a wet or steeply pitched roof or on any roof surface that seems unsafe to you.
• Tie a safety line to a solid anchor point on the opposite side and extend it over the ridge and along the ladder.

[userlg7]

on 10/18/2009 Be careful about filling water into the roof vent. If there is a clog or restriction downstream of the sink, the sink will fill with water (from the drain). The vent and drain are connected remember. Make sure there someone to watch the sink while this attempt is being made. Other wise you may get down from the roof, walk into the bathroom and find a big mess.

[dot236]

on 7/18/2009 Our toilet doesn't drain very good. We took it out and ran water down the drain and it didn't stop up. A plumber came out, ran a snake down the drain and from the roof, but didn't find any clogs. If you have any ideas as to how to fix this, please e-mail me at [e-mail]. It is a new toilet.

[marcelin7]

on 12/17/2006 I was told that I might havw a clogged vent pipe.When I flush my upstairs toilet,my downstairs toilet ,the water in the bowl starts to bubble a few GOOD times.like air is coming up through the toilet..My toilets flush just fine though.If you have any ideas please e-mail me at [e-mail]
Thank You

on 8/8/2006 You can purchase a rubber bulbous-type attachment for your garden hose at most hardware stores. They actually come in 3 different sizes. One is made for a toilet, another for a kitchen sink and one for a bathtub. Of the 3, I use the larger one for my vents. Once you have it on the hose and down the vent as far as it will go, turn on the water and you will hear it working (as well as when it frees up whatever is clogging the drain). It works great and beats any type of drain auger I have ever used. I have been using this off and on for 15 or more years. And even though it says to secure your sink stoppers, I have never had it blow them up, but this may be different on different designs of drains.