How to Clean the Roof Vent for a Toilet
Most clogs in a toilet originate from matter stuck in the toilet trap or in the pipes originating directly out of the toilet. You can remove these types of clogs with the use of a plunger or by snaking a closet auger through the toilet trap and into the pipes. If you try these methods and the toilet still fails to flush properly, it is plausible that the source of the issue lies in the roof. Many homeowners do not realize their toilet is connected to the roof through a pipe and that if this pipe becomes clogged, it can prevent the toilet from flushing. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Proper footwear
- Ladder
- String
- Flashlight
- Garden hose
- Closet auger
- Screen
- Rubber band
Instructions
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1
Place the ladder against the house, and ensure it is stable before mounting. Ascend the ladder while wearing proper footwear. Rubber-soled shoes are the best as they can grip the ladder steps and the roof.
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2
Locate the roof vent. In most houses, it is a white PVC pipe sticking up from the roof. In homes that are older, it may be a metal pipe.
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3
Look for any item that might be an obstruction in the pipe. Remove, if possible. If you cannot see into the pipe, tie a string securely to the end of a flashlight, turn it on and drop it into the hole. If you cannot see an object or cannot reach one, continue to step 4.
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4
Place a garden hose into the mouth of the pipe and ask someone below to turn the water onto full blast. This will flush out any debris, such as twigs or a dead bird, that has dropped into the pipe. Turn off the water.
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5
Insert a snake, or closet auger, with at least 30 feet of length into the top of the pipe, and twist as you would if you were twisting into any other pipe. Continue until you feel a lodged object, and keep twisting until you feel the object's release. Call a plumbing specialist if this step fails to work, and the clog continues.
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6
Put a piece of screened material over the top of the pipe, and hold it in place with a rubber band. This will prevent debris from falling into the pipe and causing another clog.
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