# Testing a Vent Pipe for a Blockage
Vent pipes must be kept clear of blockages to ensure that the plumbing system works properly. Clogs prevent proper airflow to the plumbing system and must be eliminated as soon as they're discovered. Check vent pipes regularly as part of a regular maintenance plan to ensure blockages don't form. Testing a vent pipe for a clog is usually not a complicated process.
Things You'll Need
- Flashlight
- Safety harness
- Helmet
- Garden hose
Instructions
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1
Flush a toilet and listen to the sound of the water. Unusual gurgling indicates a possible clog in the pipe vent.
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2
Go to the roof and look down into the small pipe vent to see if any clogs are visible. Use a flashlight so you get a better view. Wear a safety harness and a helmet to protect yourself against falling.
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3
Run a hose down the piping. You'll feel if the hose gets snagged or blocked by a clog. Turn on the water. If the water overflows back onto the roof, there is a stubborn clog that requires removal. The water often removes any mild clogs so the pipe vent is clear again.
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Home Maintenance
- How to Install Vent Pipe for a Forced Air Heater
- Dryer Vent Pipe Vs. Duct
- DIY: Venting Options for Gas Fireplace Inserts
- Connection of a Sink to an Upstairs Vent Pipe
- How to Install Venting for the Laundry
- Augers for Soil Testing
- How to Clamp a B Vent to Water Heaters
- How to Remove a Sink Plumbing Vent
- How to Cut a Hole Through the Roof for a Vent Pipe
- The Use of Duct Tape for a Vent Pipe
- How to Check the Dryer Vent for Blockage
- Design Tips for Hiding Kitchen Vent Pipes
