When you go outside, do you notice a foul odor in your yard? You don't have a dog, so you know it has to be something else. That unpleasant smell may be coming from your plumbing vent.
Plumbing vents are important; they allow gases to slowly escape from a home so they can be released into the atmosphere. This process ensures that a home's pipes aren't under too much pressure.
If you notice that there is an odor coming from your vent that seems more unpleasant than usual, then it can make ordinary tasks, such as gardening, relaxing on the porch, or entertaining guests outside unfathomable.
Since the plumbing vent connects to the plumbing system in the home, the way you reduce the odor is by addressing it at the source, and that's inside your home.
Here are some places to start:
1. Do you have any clogged drains inside your house? You get odors in plumbing from what's inside the pipes, so if you have a clog, the sludge inside the pipe can be causing the foul odor. It doesn't have to be human waste, it can come from hair, soap, skin cells, body washes and other stuff that makes its way into the drain.
2. If you see a clog, for example a hair clog, clear out the drain with your hands if possible. Remove the cover, put on a pair of gloves and pull the clog out.
3. If the clog is too far for you to reach, use a drain auger, also known as a "snake." You put this down the pipe to get to areas that are out of reach. If you don't know how to use these devices, an experienced plumber can do it for you.
4. If you don't have any clogs inside the home, you can check the vent to see if it's blocked. Since the vents are on the roof, you need to be careful when you climb up to take a peak. Get a friend or your spouse to hold the ladder while you climb.
When you look in the vent, make sure the flap can open, and make sure there isn't anything like leaves or a bird's nest in the pipe. If you spot any debris, pull it out.
If you're not a DIY-type person, or if you simply want a professional to take care of it, contact A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. to schedule a service call with one of our Kansas City plumbers!