Plumbing Vents Explained

by David Campbell

Plumbing vents don’t get much attention until…you have a drain issue. The first line of attack on a slow or gurgling drain is to call a plumber to run a snake and for good reason because the issue is almost always a clogged drain line. That does not always do the trick. All plumbing systems need to be vented. The vent allows makeup air to enter the system and lets the water to flow freely.

If you’ve ever tried to pour out a gallon jug of water by turning it upside down and experienced the ‘glug, glug, glug’ then you see what happens without a proper vent. Some water pours out but then it gets backed up as air rushes in to equalize the vacuum from the exiting water. That happens over and over and gives you that ‘glug’ sound. If you were to do that same thing but now punch a hole in the upturned bottom of the jug the water would rush out quickly and smoothly since the hole (vent) allows air in to equalize.

Plumbing vents in your home can become clogged from gunk buildup, leaves, bird nests, etc. and suddenly you have a problem. Clearing a vent may require the plumber to get on the roof and run a snake from top to bottom.

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