7 Disadvantages of a Clogged Plumbing Vent
Are you noticing more water in your house refusing to go down the drain? Seeing all of your sinks full of dirty water and chunks of food floating on the surface is not a pretty sight.
When presented with this image, the only possible cause is a clogged plumbing vent. When you've got a blockage, it will wreak havoc on not only your sinks' ability to drain water but also the other pipes connected around the house.
You'll need to get the blockage repaired when you start noticing problems occurring because there are no advantages to having a blocked plumbing vent. If you don't, you'll live with some pretty severe issues like these below.
1. Sediment Builds Up
Clogged plumbing vents typically create a buildup of sediment, food, and even dead animals. Depending on what is clogging up, the pipes will determine the types of smells that will linger in your home.
The longer some of these items remain, the worse the smell can get and the more harmful it can be to you and your family. These items release gasses like sulphur dioxide and methane that aren't healthy to breathe in for long periods.
2. Drains Take Longer to Clear
After cleaning the dishes or taking a bath, you get familiar with the water's background noise running down the drain. But, one of the disadvantages of a clogged plumbing vent is that the dirty water you've left behind might take a lot longer to disappear.
If the air can't get into the pipe to balance the pressure, it stops water from flowing freely down the drain. You can find the blockage source by looking for any sinks gurgling or listening out for dripping. It means the problem is closest to this area.
Flushing the drains doesn't generally fix the problem. Depending on the blockage's cause it will determine the approach you need to take to unclog it.
3. Sewer Gas in the Home
One drain you don't want to block is the toilet, as it can be pretty messy to fix and very quickly stinks out your home. It's one of the key reasons why clogged plumbing vents are harmful, as the gas released into the air is not pleasant for the nose or the lungs.
It's better known as hydrogen sulphide; even minimal exposure can affect the body. It can lead to headaches, sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. You're also likely to lose appetite due to breathing in these fumes.
4. Toilets Won't Flush
If the toilet pipes are blocked, then it's highly likely that you will have trouble flushing it too. You want to avoid encountering this problem when attempting to get rid of waste.
If the plumbing vent lines are obstructed, the toilet will struggle to refill upon each flush. A quick tank inspection will show how much water you've access to. If it's not filling as it should, it could be due to a blockage in the plumbing vent.
5. Negative Pressure From a Clogged Plumbing Vent
Once you experience one of your plumbing vents clogged, it can impact the other pipes in your house. Water can stop flowing, and the air cannot get sucked in to help clear the drains. It's commonly referred to as negative pressure by plumbers and other professionals.
If left unattended, more blockages will likely occur as various sediments begin to form through your drain system. You can temporarily take care of the issue using a drain cleaner, auger, or a plunger to clear some residue. However, you'll need additional help to look at the vents.
These parts help get the air into the drains to equalise the pressure. Unclogging a pipe will only help get rid of the water. There's a chance it may reoccur if you don't get someone to inspect the vents.
6. Gurgling Sounds Around the House
When clogged, the sound a pipe makes is similar to when someone is gargling mouthwash. If the vents suffer from blockages, this noise may occur all around the house as if you have a surround sound setup.
If you hear one gurgling in one area, the good news is that it's likely one blockage in the pipes. However, if you overhear multiple noises across the home, the problem is much more significant and will need professional help.
7. Sinks Refilling With Water
When you return to the kitchen for a snack or glass of water, you shouldn't expect to see your sink refilling via the drain. You also don't want to see food scraps or clumps of oil seep through and cause it to overflow.
This occurs because water from other parts of the house pushes back on what's already in the drain. It could be the water from a shower or the bathroom sink clearing properly and impacting the kitchen sink.
While the other parts of the house might usually work for now, the longer the problem exists, the higher the chance liquid starts coming back up. So don't let the issue linger unless you've accidentally dropped something down the drain.
Who Can Fix a Clogged Plumbing Vent?
Blocked drains and overflowing sinks can be temporarily resolved with drain cleaners or a plumber, but fixing a clogged plumbing vent takes a little more effort. Depending on your setup, they may need to go through the house walls to understand the problem completely.
If you can't stand the sounds of gurgling and the smells lingering around the house, why not let us handle it? We've been proudly providing plumbing services and unclogging drains since 1939. Book an appointment today, and we'll ensure the water goes the right way down the drain.
Is this the type of article you need for your business? Whether it’s blog posts, newsletters, or something else involving the written word, pwf services can help. Get in touch today to discuss how we can work together.
