Why is my toilet bubbling slow draining plumbing vent issue how to fix sewer pipe clogs Read Below

-Take the time to find all the clean-out points of your sewer system and keep them accessible. Steep pitched and metal roofs are hazardous to walk. If you have either one of these, it becomes necessary to have ground level clean-outs. Be proactive and protect your home. If you would like to stay updated about the many issues that face our homes in the deep south, please subscribe to this channel. There is also informative articles on the facebook page "Southern Home Talk". Facebook "Southern Home Talk" / 585940982070742 Tribute The Tribute Band www.youtube.co... Building Science / @southalabamahomeinspe...

[@TOYguy-25]

👍Big Tip to prevent injury: If you need to rent a 50’ electric powered snake from Home Depot and carry it/pull it up to to the roof you will find the device is VERY heavy and awkward. The snake line by itself is very heavy. *First pull the snake out all the way (it will still be attached to the motor assembly), and carry the motor up the ladder first, then while up on the roof, pull the snake line up onto the roof. You won’t believe how heavy the 50’ metal snake line is. I discovered this method after we rented a snake to successfully clean out the main line for less than $40 rather than pay a plumber $$$$$$$. Good luck!

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks for sharing this information

[@DYIIdeas]

You brought a lot of answers to me that I needed to know. My toilet has not been working for a couple weeks because of a water pipe problem so, I have to pour rainwater in the toilet to flush it. The rainwater is filtered with no objects.. Today I heard a rumbling sound and then water spewed out of the toilet bowl like a volcano erupting for about 60 seconds. After that, it still rumbled for a while then stopped. I do not put anything in the toilet bowl except human waste. I have a trash bag I use for the dirty toilet paper. Could you please help me with this problem. Thanks again for your support and your helpful video. Keep up the good work bro. Kudos

[@southernhometalk2465]

I suspect the problem is the City Sewer Service.

[@HA-gs7tq]

Thank you for this quick, to the point knowledge. Helps me a bunch

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks and thanks for subscribing to this channel. Also click the notification bell to be notified on other informative videos that will be coming soon.

[@neilwilliams2172]

You brought a lot of answers to me that I needed to know. My toilet has not been working for a couple weeks because of a water pipe problem so, I have to pour rainwater in the toilet to flush it. The rainwater is filtered with no objects.. Today I heard a rumbling sound and then water spewed out of the toilet bowl like a volcano erupting for about 60 seconds. After that, it still rumbled for a while then stopped. I do not put anything in the toilet bowl except human waste. I have a trash bag I use for the dirty toilet paper. Could you please help me with this problem. Thanks again for your support and your helpful video. Keep up the good work bro. Kudos

[@southernhometalk2465]

I recommend you have your sewer system evaluated by a qualified plumber and also scoped.

[@sandraspencer2818]

You sound like me

[@zaneyone1]

Using a shop vac hose going down the vent pipe can also help clear leaves and debris out of the pipe. Between a sewer snake and a shop vac, you should be able to clear the line. I wonder if these clogged vent tubes could cause the washer to back up as well? I have that issue with my washer and that is going to be my next project on my very STEEP ROOF LINE.

[@Tr1llwillGaming]

Sure can, my toilet, shower and washer is back up…. Nightmare

[@hoodlodo6647]

You made a 4 minute video of a hole that I watched! Lmao I salute you.

[@skimanfree1073]

I usually go to the middle then the end to see if anything is happening

[@Mr51Caveman]

My wife came to me last week and said the Toilet in the Master bath was bubbling when the Guest Toilet was flushed. I had never noticed that until yesterday. The house is only 3 yrs old and it's just her and I. We are on a Septic Tank that was installed to Code here in SC. I guess I will address the Vent pipe 1st then the clean out that I know is in the front rt corner of the house. Just have to find the cap.

[@vanhattfield8292]

An easy way to test if it is a vent issue is to remove the trap under the sink where the toilet is located. Flush the toilet and then quickly cover the drain with your hand to see if there is a noticable suction. There should NOT be because if the vents are clear, air will be pulled from there and no suction will be felt. Once the results from this test are completed, other possabilities can be tested. The cleanout outside your home is not likely something that is going to help out because that is used for the pipe between your home and septic tank or sewer connection and the problem is with the plumbing within your home.

[@docducttape9270]

@@vanhattfield8292 What if the vent is clogged up with leaves or a critter made a nest in it? Won't cause any problems and need to be cleaned out? 🤔

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@docducttape9270 The test I described above will help determine if that condition exists. If you feel suction, then the vent is likely to be blocked and will need to be cleared.

[@louisrussum1934]

@@vanhattfield8292 so if theres suction the vents are clogged cuz i felt suction

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@louisrussum1934 It doesn't necessarily mean the vents are clogged, but the vents would be something to look aat if you are feeling substantial suction . There could be other reasons, that branch could have been improperly installed, or it could be that the line that is vented is clogged. Older homes are much more likely to have issues. Our modern plumbing codes should ensure that the vents are installed so that they are washed and blockages are less likely. Troubleshooting is just a systematic process used to eliminate what "isn't" wrong until you find the thing that is. I wish I could help you out a bit better, but I would have to see the layout of your system to be able to point yoou in the next direction. Good luck!

[@docducttape9270]

This dude sounded like Danny McBride for a second there. 😂

[@southernhometalk2465]

Lol

[@watchmenpropertyinspection3469]

great explanation

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks

[@kylezellmann6811]

Thanks for all the tips 👍

[@vanhattfield8292]

Pulling the first toilet on the system is by far a much safer alternative. Power snakes are very dangerous because they generate massive tourque and attempting to operate one on a roof can be devestating. They should be operated on firm, level ground and not elevated. Another issue that exists in newer homes using PVC pipe is that there is no cetainty that the pipe extending through the roof goes straight down or is 3 inch. In many cases, there are multiple vents that are connected below the roof with a series of different sized pipes all connected to a single pipe that exits through the roof. If a snake is fed through and gets diverted into a smaller vent and hits a snag trying to turn in a 90 * angle, the torque can break the pipe and rip the entire vent system apart because it is typically held in place with only plastic "J" hooks. I can think of so many reasons to not snake a system from the roof and none that many make it sound like a good idea.

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@southernhometalk2465 Hopefully I didn't sound disrespectful, there was no intent, I was just looking to add some content from my own experience. Good luck with the channel. 👍

[@ChrisPBacon-yz6nk]

I don’t think think he was referring to a power snake. I think he was talking about the metal tape with the weight on the business end. It’s not your job to be terrified of every potential hazard in life for other people. Thank God the men who built the Golden Gate Bridge, the skyscrapers and dams weren’t afraid of their own shadows. Every individual watching this knows whether they are capable of getting on their roof or not. They don’t need their overprotective mom running out and telling Johnny not to climb that tree. 😂😂

[@HA-gs7tq]

Do you also feel that way about a manual snake?

[@usaman7358]

@@ChrisPBacon-yz6nk What's it like going through life as a dick?

[@Mr51Caveman]

Update to my "bubbling toilet" issue. About a week ago I went to the bathroom and noticed the toilet bowl was 3/4's full so I looked over in the tub and yep, it was over half full. So I went and looked in the main bath and the toilet and tub were also almost full. I almost panicked! Wasn't overflowing...yet. I was thinking, Well crap (literally) my Septic Tank is full in less than 3 years! Luckily I had dug through our front Plant area and had found the clean-out to the Septic Tank. I had already ran the drain snake through all vents and most of the main drain under the house. So I figured (hoped) what would it hurt to try to snake the clean-out So I got the snake and put it through and twisted and shook it back and forth and dang...it worked!! Everything that had backed up started draining. And there was a substantial amount of fluid and "stuff" that had accumulated around the drain cause I left it open so that "stuff" wouldn't back up into the house. Anyway I guess some sort of material or something had semi stopped up the entrance to Septic Tank and over time completely stopped it up. Everything is draining good now and no more bubbling!😀

[@southernhometalk2465]

Awesome thanks for taking the time to share this.

[@skidmark7845]

Suspect a tampon.

[@docducttape9270]

@@skidmark7845 Or "flushable wipes". Lol

[@wharris7594]

A Pile Of Cigarettes? 😂 Baby Wipes? 😂

[@Mr51Caveman]

Nope. Found the problem. One or more of my teenage girls who visited over the holidays had flushed their feminine products. And yep..got caught in the sewer tank baffle clogging it up. Luckily it was an easy fix. Just pulled that stuff out and everything is good to go now.@@wharris7594

[@jongibson3375]

Thanks for posting

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks for the complement

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks for the complement

[@veronicarodriguez2095]

Thank you ! That’s my problem now

[@leelunk8235]

I WILL TRY THIS I GOT THIS BUBBLING ISSUE NOW

[@sandraspencer2818]

Krystle lime. I haven't been putting any toilet paper down the toilet 2 months. I have went through four bottle of gel Drano. The water was backing up in the tub in the sink in the bathroom. Then I got some really expensive stuff at Lowe's wrapped in plastic bottle that has lie in it. My sump pump also died. I'm going to attempt to change that myself I am female and very broke. The problem that I've been having is that when I flush the toilet it either Spirits out of the wash tub down in the basement or it gurgles. I don't know if the flood had anything to do with that or not. The city has been out having a lot of problems on my street. It's funny when the city was out doing a repair job the water just appeared for my basement which I never thought that would happen being it was up to the second step. I don't know if I can get my hot water tank lit it's been 4 weeks or longer since I've had a hot shower. Cold ones are not fun. What kind of drain cleaner can I get from the plumbers will they just sell it to me. I know last time this happened the snake the main drain and there was nothing which is 6 ft down in the ground. All is it needed was a good Plunge in the wash tub downstairs but being I'm female I'll have to see if I can get one of my guy neighbors to do it because I have no upper body strength. Any advice you can give me I would appreciate it thank you so much

[@southernhometalk2465]

There is a possibility The City Sewer may be the cause of these issues and that is what I suspect. I recommend having a qualified plumber evaluate your entire drainage system and also tell him you suspect the problem could be the City Sewer.

[@ericray7173]

Check and see if your city offers a sewer drain insurance. Mine does and it’s $6 a month and I’ve had my sewer line completely collapse 3 times if you can believe it.

[@tweetiebirdism]

I didn’t even know we had a vent.

[@LEELUNK-IS-A-HUNK]

QUEST.. I BOUGHT A HOSE, I WANT TO PUT IT A FOOT DOWN INTO THE VENT IN THE ROOF, I'M SCARED OF FLOODING ONCE I TURN THE WATER ON. THE TOILET DID GURGLING SOUNDS AGAIN BUT THEN IT SEEMS TO NEUTRALIZE AND I CAN FLUSH PERFECTLY FINE, IT'S SO WEIRD

[@305heat_]

Thx!

[@markr3660]

Good video

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thanks

[@kvdgadj]

Some senior can't climb up there and do that. Is there another way on the ground to fix it.

[@southernhometalk2465]

By adding a ground level clean-out

[@JesusIsKingOfKings88]

Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates 🍫

[@worldview730]

So your saying that it maybe be better to run a water hose or chemical down the vent as opposed to a snake that will be difficult to access from a roof?

[@southernhometalk2465]

Every system is different in some way. However, when I was a Plumber. I would pour Clobber Drain Opener thru the main vent, which worked 90% of the time

[@worldview730]

@@southernhometalk2465 Great, that's why they call it "Clobber"

[@nermenator]

My problem has been every time the temp gets below 20 it starts backing up but the moment it warms up it works just fine. Still cant figure it out.

[@southernhometalk2465]

I suspect its freezing and when it thaws out, it flows again.

[@tsmith5889]

Do you recommend putting vent cap covers on? One of our vents is at a very steep slope and dangerous to access, but it's also right we're my neighbors tree sheds thousands of leaves each fall. I am in Ohio, but don't want to keep paying someone every year to clean out the vent, but heard it's dangerous to put a vent cover cap on due to ice build up? What do you think? Thank you!

[@southernhometalk2465]

I put screens over my vents, but I live in a hot climate where snow is generally not an issue here

[@rongomez6672]

9 times out of 10 you will never have a vent problem and most of the times a plumber will use a cleanout to access a sewer line to unclogg the drain it's a little dangerous to clean a main thru the vent line

[@southernhometalk2465]

I agree that is the best way. However, in my area more than half of the homes here have no clean-out installed and many of the ones that do have them are buried. When I was a plumber, there were many times I had to go on the roof and clear blockages.

[@KristyStill]

@@southernhometalk2465 This is what I was wondering, we don't have a clean out access either where we are. Glad to see that's where they clear it. We were wondering how this worked.

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@southernhometalk2465 In situations like that we either pulled the first toilet on the system or the trap from a sink and fed the snake from there. Snakes are dangerous enough on the ground, having one on a roof would never be an option here just for safety reasons.

[@rullmourn1142]

Why don't the vent pipes on the roof just have some damn screens on them?

[@southernhometalk2465]

You could add screens. Its rare that birds will build nest in them though.

[@shawnmayr3388]

@@southernhometalk2465 Yeah I suppose the smell is a major deterent....

[@stephenthomas3493]

Is it possible a snow storm could cause this problem?

[@ThePaladin5084]

SNOW STORM?! I just a had a snowstorm recently and that’s when I started experiencing sh1t coming up in my shower. My clean out on the ground is as clean as a whistle but everything else is freakin clogged

[@YelpBullhorn]

They do in the U.K.

[@micmic2168]

stupid question incoming. so when it rains the water goes through the vent system? and ultimately back to the sewer line? i always hear and know that someone upstairs is flushing the toilet/ running the sink and shower (from my basement) soo when it rains how come i cant hear it?? 😅

[@southernhometalk2465]

Most-likely because rain does not enter the system as fast as running water from the sink or toilet. This is the reason some upper class homes are built with Cast Iron drainage pipes, to mitigate water noise.

[@GraceDollesin]

Hahahaha! You and I. My Plummer coming tomorrow to dig the tile and install some pvc . Apparently, the old clay tiles are collapsing.

[@BoringisBeautiful]

I had a tub replaced 2 1/2 years ago and the guy completely disconnected the vent and ran the new tub without a vent. When I questioned him he says it didn’t need it but now, over 2 years later, is it possible my backed up toilet & tubs (started out with gurgling) are bc of this? I had the septic pumped and it was fine.

[@southernhometalk2465]

I believe it could be the problem. I certainly believe its a venting problem

[@mozes42]

So the vent would be the best place to address a clog that is upstream of an outside clean out? I’ve tried everything, but I still have sewer backing up in a guest bath shower. Would snaking from the vent over that bathroom be a logical next step?

[@southernhometalk2465]

That would be where I would start first.

[@kilikashoots9780]

Am I able to run the drain bladder through the roof vent and if so, how far does it need to go down to be safely used?

[@southernhometalk2465]

I would not insert a Drain Bladder deep due to risk of getting stuck

[@ericsmith-sx8xi]

Putting firecackers down the pipe will clear the clog .

[@jankoszuta9835]

My toilet doesn't gurgle but the level rises high when I flush and clears only very slowly. Could this be a venting problem?

[@southernhometalk2465]

It could be venting, but it could also be an obstructed drain pipe or double trapped toilet.

[@AaronHatcher]

I'm trying to think if I have a vent down near the ground or not hmmm.

[@southernhometalk2465]

Its possible the clean-out may be covered over by ground/vegetation or they may not have installed one at all.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@southernhometalk2465 ok

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

@@southernhometalk2465 what do they look like, how do I find it? Thank you!

[@southernhometalk2465]

@@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783 Look at episode 60

[@emmjayjulien8504]

Took a shower in one and the toilet started leaking. Took a shower in the other bathroom the toilet started bubbling went out where it is a pvc looking drainage valve water was coming out What’s going on I need help

[@southernhometalk2465]

You will need to get a qualified plumber to evaluate this situation.

[@Plaz1398]

My kitchen sink is backing up but as soon as I crack the vent under the sink the water will drain and I have air rushing back out am I dealing with a blocked roof vent?

[@southernhometalk2465]

Thats what I would suspect.

[@jimk5307]

You must have blocked vent. But you mentioned vent under sink. If you have an air admittance valve under the sink, just replace it. It’s less than $20 if I recall.

[@donflash1128]

How long of a snake for a ranch style house.. typical 8 foot ceiling

[@southernhometalk2465]

I would want at least a 25 foot and possibly longer

[@Thebald1]

I have a friend cut the vents out and he capped them off under the sink.. He calls it ventless.. Is that a real thing? I've never heard of it

[@southernhometalk2465]

Its possible he could have installed an AAV Vent Air Admittance Valve. I have an episode on this channel about those.

[@Thebald1]

@@southernhometalk2465 No man.. lol. I'm at his house now and it's capped off under the sinks..

[@southernhometalk2465]

@@Thebald1 Im a Home Inspector and if i was doing an inspection, I would report this to my client as being defective.

[@Thebald1]

@@southernhometalk2465He said that it's been like that for around 20 years now... Lol.. I can't believe it.. His house is over 100 years old now, but it did have vents and the pipe is still there just not hooked up.. he also says that his brother is a certified plumber and was the one that done it.. Yeah crazy mess for sure

[@ChrisPBacon-yz6nk]

⁠@@Thebald1my kitchen sink is in the island and the plumber installed an AAV there when I built my house. A few years in you would smell an aroma 😂 under there so I had to replace it. A few years later same thing. I capped it and no more odors. That was 15 years ago and it works fine but the is a plumbing vent in the main line about 15 feet upstream from the island connection.

[@AaronHatcher]

Ok every house has this right?

[@southernhometalk2465]

Not every house has a Clean-Out at Ground Level, but every house should have vents for the drain lines.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@southernhometalk2465 I don't like them, it makes the water move on a windy day

[@jimsummers487]

What happens if you dump a bag of quickrete down this stack ? If you don’t know the answer….. just ask my neighbor

[@southernhometalk2465]

Lol.

[@AhRamboRo]

Wat about my toilet smell sometimes when I get home can’t find the smell

[@southernhometalk2465]

Every fixture has what is known as a P-Trap. Most-likely you have a defective vent system which is pulling the water out of the trap allowing sewer gas into the home via a sink or bath tub P- Trap