How to Unclog Plumbing Vents | Excalibur Plumbing

If your sink is draining slowly or isn’t draining at all, it can be a sign that your plumbing vents are clogged. Plumbing vents are the pipes sticking out of your roof and can become clogged for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes birds like to nest in these vents, or leaves and debris can build up and prevent water from draining properly.

While it sounds like a challenging task, climbing up on your roof may be the most difficult part. Most vents can be unclogged with a few items you likely already have around your home. Let’s get started!

The Best Methods for Unclogging Plumbing Vents

Before attempting to fix your plumbing vents, it can be helpful to gather the supplies you’ll need ahead of time.

The following supplies are needed:

Ladder
Flashlight
Plumber’s snake
Screwdriver
Garden hose

Next, it is important to check that your roof is completely dry without any slippery spots. A wet roof is an easy way to fall and severely injure your back. You should also wear rubber-soled shoes with a strong grip.

If all looks safe and secure, set your ladder firmly against the roof. The top of your ladder should be at least three feet above the roofline. When you’ve reached the plumbing vents, you may need to use your screwdriver to remove the caps. Shine your flashlight down the vent pipe to determine what is causing the blockage.

Any items that are within your reach can be easily removed, but there may be some lodged deeper inside. For the more challenging debris, run your plumber’s snake down the vent line. Sometimes a plumber’s snake isn’t strong enough to dislodge everything and your garden hose will come in handy.

Treat your garden hose as you did the plumber’s snake by feeding it into the vent pipe. Turn the water on full blast and wait for the sound of the debris being forced out of your vent. Fortunately, the strength of the water is usually enough to clear the vent out completely.

If you’re still struggling with vents that don’t drain properly, contact an Austin plumber from Excaliber Plumbing. Having been providing top-quality drain cleaning and plumbing services to commercial and residential clients for more than 25 years, our team can assess your situation and get the job done right!