Most people are aware of the basic parts of a plumbing system. Every home with indoor plumbing needs intricate pipes, a water line, and of course, fixtures like toilets, water heaters, and faucets. Many people don’t know about plumbing vents, which play a crucial role in any system.
The experts at BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are here to answer basic questions, like, “What are plumbing vents and why are they necessary?” Discover everything you should know about this key plumbing feature.
Understanding Vent Stacks
A plumbing vent, also known as a vent stack, operates similarly to drain pipes. While the pipes carry wastewater out of your home, the vent stack helps eliminate gas and odors from your home. This pumps fresh air into your system which can help with overall pipe drainage.
While vent stacks serve as a part of your plumbing system, they never deal with running water the way other fixtures do. Instead, it’s a vertical pipe that jets out from your roof. This design helps unwanted odors and gases escape from your home without
Types of Plumbing Vent Pipes
The majority of homes feature vent stacks on their roof to remove odors and sewage gas from the drain pipes. However, you might have a different type of plumbing vent, depending on your local plumbing codes.
Wet vents aren’t as common but operate as a drain and vent in one. If you have this type of vent, it’s likely for one type of plumbing fixture only, such as a sink or toilet.
Air admittance valves serve as another solution to traditional vent stacks. It typically connects to a sink’s drain pipe and regulates pressure by letting air into the pipe during drainage. You can enjoy several benefits from installing an air admittance valve in your plumbing system, including:
- Cost savings
- Using fewer materials
- Easy installation
The Importance of Plumbing Vents
Local plumbing codes emphasize the importance of plumbing vents by making them a necessity in any home. Without a common vent stack in your home, all of the wastewater that goes through your drain pipes would create a vacuum effect on the P-shaped traps that prevent sewer gases from escaping. The toxic gas would have no other option but to infiltrate your home without proper drainage ventilation.
All of your drain traps contain water which could evaporate if you don’t use the drain much. This can lead to foul odors coming from the drain as gas escapes. You can expect the same problem to occur if you don’t have a working plumbing vent.
Receive Professional Plumbing Solutions in the Twin Cities
After reading this guide, you no longer have to wonder, “Why are plumbing vents necessary?” Make sure your vents don’t give you any issues by having an expert properly install them. BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning specializes in plumbing vent installation and will test your system to guarantee it does its job.
Give us a call at 952-208-5459 to request a plumbing service in the greater Twin Cities region. Learn more today.
