Megan has called in the plumber to check her kitchen sink.
Poor drainage
When people have draining issues people’s first reaction is often that the drain must be clogged but venting plays an equally important role in proper drainage and vents can also get clogged or out right missing from the installation, as in the above skit. Just as a drain pipe removes water and waste from your home, the plumbing vent pipe removes gas and odors. It also allows fresh air into the plumbing system which helps water flow smoothly through the drain pipe each time a toilet is flushed or a sink is drained, however no water runs through the plumbing vent pipe. It’s a vertical pipe attached to a drain line that runs through the roof of your home.
When plumbing air vents or vent stacks do not work properly, neither will your home’s plumbing drainage system. If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your drains, see standing water in your sink or bathtub, or notice a slow drain in the bathroom or kitchen, a blocked vent may be the issue. When a plumbing vent pipe or vent stack is blocked, negative pressure builds up in drainage pipes and water flow is interrupted. Though you may have success clearing a clogged drain yourself, stoppages will continue to occur if a blocked vent is the culprit. Ongoing stoppages and slow-flowing drains can lead to sediment forming inside the drain pipes. This can further damage your plumbing system and may result in an expensive repair or replacement cost in the future. If you’re short of resources or experience and you can’t repair the drain with a plunger, drainage snake or auger it’s always best to call in the professional.
When plumbing air vents or vent stacks do not work properly, neither will your home’s plumbing drainage system. If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your drains, see standing water in your sink or bathtub, or notice a slow drain in the bathroom or kitchen, a blocked vent may be the issue. When a plumbing vent pipe or vent stack is blocked, negative pressure builds up in drainage pipes and water flow is interrupted. Though you may have success clearing a clogged drain yourself, stoppages will continue to occur if a blocked vent is the culprit. Ongoing stoppages and slow-flowing drains can lead to sediment forming inside the drain pipes. This can further damage your plumbing system and may result in an expensive repair or replacement cost in the future. If you’re short of resources or experience and you can’t repair the drain with a plunger, drainage snake or auger it’s always best to call in the professional.
Andrew Della Penta is the owner of Penta Plumbing and is the plumber in the video skit above. He can be reached via his website at www.pentaplumbing.ca/contact