Install Vents in Toilet to Prevent Dangers in the Long Run
In your home plumbing system there is a plumbing fixture (like a toilet) that is supposed to be connected to a trap and each of these fixtures should have their own vent. What makes toilets unique is that they have a built-in trap, but, without a vent so you still need to install one for it. Is it so bad that there is no venting for toilets? What problem can it cause?
Slowly Draining Toilets
One of the most common problems with a poorly vented toilet is that it can drain rather slowly. This is because ample supply of air is needed for water to drain properly. This is exactly what a vent system does, it makes use of an open pipe going through the roof to let air circulate in the plumbing system.
Sometimes flushing the toilets more than once can help clean them out and let enough air pressure into the system. There may also be instances wherein instead of slowly draining, the water in the bowl is being siphoned out of the trap. What is the danger with this? Sewer gases can enter your home and put your health at risk.
Normally vents should have at least a 3-inch main stack extending through the roof. The diameter should never be less than half of the diameter of the drain that it is connected to. It also helps to regularly check your vents to make sure that remain unclogged of debris.
Break the Toilet
Are you aware that poor venting can also break your toilet? This happens when the vent is not clear while the system is trying to pull from the toilet. This can eventually break the seal allowing water to leak out. But how will you know that it is a venting issue?
Normally, the toilet would periodically flush and fill up the tank with water. This is usually observed in toilets that have a leaking trap. It is important to mention though that a leaking trap will not necessarily mean that sewer gases will escape into your home. Most of the time what will happen is that the toilet plunger begins to go down, mimicking a situation where refilling of the tank is needed, thus it begins to refill by itself.
If the poor venting is not properly fixed, the toilet can break causing you to shell out around $300 in replacement.
Air Bubbles
Remember that vents have something to do with the air in the plumbing system. Therefore, it is not surprising to observe air bubbles rising from the bowl of poorly vented toilets. These air bubbles are formed when the toilet is not being flushed.
Normally this condition can be observed in homes where the clothes washer or a similar appliance is installed near the toilet. The proximity makes the drain line gasp for air resulting in the formation of air bubbles. The condition exists because of the need to equalize the pressure in the drain line, which can be difficult to do when there is poor venting.
Usually when a clothes washer is located near the toilet the water rushing down into the drain is responsible for pulling the water contained in the nearby P-traps. This is exactly the type of drain being used by a toilet. Keep in mind that gurgling and dropping are signs that the problem is just within the area of the toilet’s location.
What can you do to fix the problem of poorly vented toilets? This is quite difficult to do on your own. Especially if you cannot identify if the problem is a clogged or possibly missing vent. Therefore, the best way to deal with this problem is to call on a licensed professional plumber immediately to prevent the problem from getting worse!