Cleaning Out Sewer Vent Pipe

The top of the vent pipe.

Cleaning out sewer vent pipe.

If you don t see any debris up top spray into the pipe with the hose nozzle set to full or jet. For those items you can t remove from above run the plumber s snake down the vent pipe. Do it yourself to do it yourself start by clearing debris from around the pipe. How to clear a plumbing vent without getting on a roof step 1.

Guide the sewer jetter through the vent stack to the main drain as you squeeze the trigger. How to unclog a vent pipe 1. Climb into the attic and locate the vent pipe as it passes through the attic. If you find debris in the vent opening prevent it from collecting in the future by fitting the opening with a cap.

Feed the end of a garden hose down the vent pipe and have someone on the ground turn on the water. Remove any items you can reach. Cut out a section of the vent. Use a flashlight to shine a bright.

For more thorough cleaning every few feet pull back about halfway and then continue moving forward. Probe firmly into the vent and try and reach all areas right inside the vent. You should be able to clear the blockage with some effort. Insert your plumbing snake into the vent.

Then try the following. However if the drain vent is still clogged you ll get an overflow of water on top of the vent pipe. This should clear the pipe but water begins to come expel from the pipe you will have more to do. It s possible for example that a bird or other animal crawled into the pipe and died.

How to clean plumbing vent pipes things you will need. Look up on the roof from the ground below and locate the vent pipe s position. Wear rubber soled shoes for traction when climbing on the roof.