Imagine dipping a straw in a glass of water and then holding your thumb over it. Now pull the straw out of the water. It doesn’t spill out, does it? Your home’s plumbing behaves in a similar way. Numerous plumbing problems such as gurgling and air pockets could occur if your drains don’t have access to “free air” through what’s known as a plumbing vent or a vent stack.
Prevent Sewer Gas Smells
The plumbing vent pipe allows fresh air into your home’s plumbing system, but it has another function as well. The vent stack prevents sewer gas leakage and odors from accumulating. Whether you know it or not, your home was likely plumbed for this mechanism in order to meet the standard of modern plumbing code. The vent stack is attached directly to the drain lines. It can be identified by locating the vertical pipe protruding from the roof of the home.
Prevent Air Bubbles
Improperly vented plumbing drains can sometimes manifest in the form of trapped air bubbles. And it can also manifest in the form of rising and falling water levels in your toilet bowl, especially if the water demand is high near that area. You may also hear gurgling noises when you flush the toilet, which is also an indication of a poorly ventilated system.
Prevent Negative Air Pressure
Vent pipes should be installed near every plumbing fixture in the home to prevent negative air pressure. How do you know if you have negative air pressure in your lines? As we mentioned in the above paragraph, negative air pressure will take the form of low water levels and potential gas smells. This is due to the fact that a lack of ventilation will suck water out of the P-trap.
MORGAN COUNTY’S #1 PLUMBING EXPERT
Hudson Plumbing services Martinsville, Mooresville, Bloomington, and the surrounding areas. Schedule your plumbing vent repair or installation by requesting a free estimate: (765) 349-0900.
