What Is a Plumbing Vent?

Have you ever seen a white pipe poking up on your roof and wondered what was is it called and why is it placed up there? Well, it is called a “plumbing vent.”

A plumbing vent is also called a “vent stack”. It helps regulates the air pressure within your plumbing system and is responsible for removing gases and odors that are caught in these pipes. Just as your draining system drains wastewater and sewage from your home, the plumbing vent helps get rid of any gases that have built up in your system.

Commonly, plumbing vents are placed on your roofs, away from any of your air conditioning units to let foul odors leave your home above nose level.

Why Are Plumbing Air Vents Important?

Plumbing vents are essential since our plumbing system relies on ventilation. Its drainage and vents are two systems that actually work together. You may have seen a U-bend or S-bend underneath your sink. And these bends are an essential component of the plumbing system.

Every time water is drained from a fixture, a certain amount of water is left in the bend. And this water remains acts as a trap so wastewater odors cannot come to pass back through your kitchen sink and bathroom.

Plumbing vents also help supply fresh air to each of the plumbing fixtures inside your home, which helps the system to move the water through the drainage pipes each time you flush your toilet or drain your sink. Furthermore, it carries noxious fumes out from your home keeping it free from nasty sewage smells.

Common Types of Plumbing Vents Pipes

When you need to install a new plumbing fixture like a sink, you have to make sure that it is accurately vented. Check these different types of vent pipes and where they are usually located.

Common Vent: It is used between two fixtures installed on opposite sides of a wall and serves as a vent for both of the fixtures.

Air Admittance Valve: It is a device that allows air to enter into your drainage system and balance its pressure and prevent siphonage of the water trap from happening when a negative pressure develops into your system.

True Vent: It is a vertical pipe attached to your drain line that travels through your roof with no water running through it.

Revent pipe: It is also called an auxiliary vent. It is attached to your drain line near the fixture and runs up and over to the main vent.

How to Know If Your Plumbing Vent Is Blocked?

Unfortunately, plumbing vents often become blocked. And when it’s blocked, it can allow gases to build-up inside it and causes a build-up of negative pressure into your drainage system.

  • You’ll know when your vent is blocked if it causes:
  • A gurgling sounds coming from your drains.
  • Standing water in your sinks and tubs.
  • A sewage odor coming out from your drains.
  • Much slower drainage.

When a plunger or auger does nothing to fix your blocked vent, it is best to call an experienced and professional plumber.

Need a Professional?

Maintaining your home’s plumbing vent is important to have your plumbing system working properly. They ensure that your water and waste are properly flowing, and keeping sewer gases out of your home.

If you encounter any problems with your vents or your drainage system, don’t hesitate to call Caccia Plumbing today at (652) 342-5363 to resolve your problem effectively and professionally.