Modern plumbing is a utility we have come to depend on. Issues with plumbing systems can create major headaches for our households. An often-overlooked area that can create plumbing system problems is your plumbing vent stacks that penetrate your roof.
Why Do I have A Leak Coming From My Vent Pipes?
If you observe a leak coming from the area where plumbing vents are, you may wonder if water is leaking from the pipes themselves. This is very rare, and usually the real problem is poor vent flashing on top of the roof itself. When installed incorrectly, these flashings can be a known cause of roof leaks. But thankfully repairing this kind of leak is quick and inexpensive for a professional Denver roofing contractor. Plumbing vent pipes require a hole to be cut in the roof sheathing so the pipe can extend out. The hole is then covered with a piece of metal flashing, and a rubber/neoprene boot covers the vent pipe seam where it meets the metal flashing.
Why Does My Home Have Plumbing Vents?
Sooner or later, all homeowners will have a plumbing issue to be diagnosed and fixed. One of the areas your Denver plumber will investigate is the plumbing vents. These vent stacks can become clogged or damaged, which could cause a stoppage in the water flow. Understanding this part of your plumbing system is important to keep drainage flowing in your home.
What Is a Plumbing Vent, Anyway?
A plumbing vent (also known as a vent stack) helps to regulate the air pressure within your plumbing system. Drain pipes remove water and waste from your home, while plumbing vents remove odors and gas from your home. These plumbing vents bring in fresh air to the plumbing system to keep water and waste drainage running smoothly in-and-out of your home. The vent pipes are installed vertically, extending from your drainage pipes up to the roof.
Are Plumbing Vents Critical For My Home?
Your plumbing system must remove water and waste to work properly. To do this drainage properly, it depends on the venting system to be properly installed and free from blockage.
Plumbing vents stop sewer gases from entering the home, and allow wastewater gasses and odors to escape. That is why plumbing vent pipes are on your roof, away from windows or HVAC units
How to Repair Problems with Plumbing Vent Pipes?
When plumbing vents fail or become clogged, your home’s drainage will not work as intended. If you see standing water in your sink, tub or hear gurgling noises coming from a drain, a blocked vent may be the issue.
When a plumbing vent is clogged or blocked, negative pressure can build in drainage pipes, and water flow becomes slower. Continuous stoppages and slow-flowing drains can lead to sediment forming inside the drainage pipes themselves. This can harm the plumbing system, and could result in costly pipe repairs or replacements.
If you can’t clear a slow-flowing drain with a plunger, cleaner, or auger, the blockage in the plumbing vent may be extreme. If the vent is completely blocked, a vacuum may form, and you’ll stop hearing gurgling (or any) sounds. You will likely smell odors in the rooms where the affected plumbing drains are located. This is an issue that must get immediate attention from a professional plumber.
If you are having issues with your plumbing system and suspect a plumbing vent may be the cause, contact the a Denver plumbing company to have the issue assessed. If your problem is a leak near a plumbing vent, get in touch with the professional Denver roofers at Sol Vista for a leak repair assessment.
