Ask Me Help Desk - Should Vent Be Checked?

Should Vent Be Checked?

Hi -- I'm a 61-year-old widow with no family within 2000 miles. And here I am with water problems. Ugh. I am wondering if I should check the roof vent for toilet or if you can tell from my problem description if I should restrict problem-solving to sewer/water drains/lines. Note that I live in a rural area where the

* First noticed water draining very slowly when flushing.
* Next noticed hornet nest built inside air vent on roof above bathroom (also in both mirrors of truck, under hood.. etc. amazing!)
* Then noticed water in shower in that bathroom was starting to drain slowly
* Poured about 6 ounces of Marc 55 concentrated sulphuric acid into shower drain (using an opened tuna can on drain to avoid splash, which sure does help)
* Result was water drained fine from shower but when running shower water for three minutes (timed it) at full strength water began to back up.
*Toilet situation unchanged
* Ran water at full strength in kitchen sink for five minutes and it drained perfectly but only for five minutes. Then while it continued to drain, it began backing up into shower
* Poured just a few ounces of Marc 55 into low water in toilet and added immediately 2 gallons of water. Water level simply reached top of toilet bowl from the added water and then returned to normal water line level. Not sure if this is what is suppose to happen. Did not flush

It's the weekend and I'm now wondering if I should climb ladder and see if vent plugged or see if I can find a willing neighbor.

Any thoughts on whether that's something that should be checked?

Not sure I would ever advise a 61 year old, to climb to the roof and check a air vent that may have hornets in it.

But it can be the vent, or could just be a clog in the drain line. Is there a clean out for the sewer drain that may be opened to see if the sewer line is backing up ?

Oh, I am in excellent health -- zero meds, zero health issues, a jogger, tennis player, hunter and agile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Not sure I would ever advise a 61 year old, to climb to the roof and check a air vent that may have hornets in it.

But it can be the vent, or could just be a clog in the drain line. is there a clean out for the sewer drain that may be opened to see if the sewer line is backing up ?

I just finished running water in shower and it drained fast -- but again for about five minutes and then began to back up into shower. However, after waiting for water to completely drain from shower and then waiting longer for pipe to empty further, I tried again to flush toilet. Once again it filled to top and very slowly drained. So it seems that the shower and kitchen drain perfectly/fast for five minutes and then back up into shower but the toilet has not come close to doing that -- stays the same despite what I do. A slowww drain.

What is a clean-out for the sewer drain? Have a crawl space. Is it down there?

Thanks so much for the help! Feeling alone with this right now so sure do appreciate you taking time to help. Baking cookies today! Can send!

Hi EWW

You have a blockage in the main drain pipe. Here, I suspect the main drain and the fact that the clog is a distance outside the home because it takes so long for things to back up.

This means:

No need to check vent (call a pest control person to remove nest).

You need to call in a plumber and have the main drain snaked/cleared out.

Good luck!

Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by easternwawoman

Oh, I am in excellent health -- zero meds, zero health issues, a jogger, tennis player, hunter and agile.

Wanted to add to this that the hornets in our area are so bad that my F150 was out on my acreage behind my garden for past month and when I went to get it to bring it in for winter prep, I found hornet nests in both side mirrors, under hood and in the bed. I have also seen a nest on the roof of my place on the air fan vent from the bathroom. Came into the house and noticed hornet nest built into hole on BBQ. Good grief. I cleaned out the nests on the F150 and BBQ but not on roof. I keep wondering though if a hornet nest is able to block air. Any ideas.

Thank you. Going to be a fun weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi EWW

You have a blockage in the main drain pipe. Here, I suspect the main drain and the fact that the clog is a distance outside the home because it takes so long for things to back up.

This means:

No need to check vent (call a pest control person to remove nest).

You need to call in a plumber and have the main drain snaked/cleared out.

Good luck!

Mark

Most areas have plumbers that work weekends, most, if not all the rooter services I know, provide 7 day a week serivce, and many 24 hour service

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

most areas have plumbers that work weekends, most, if not all the rooter services I know, provide 7 day a week serivce, and many 24 hour service

I called. They told me that weekend work is emergency fee and the cost to simply drive here is $180 ($90 each way.)

When was the last time you checked the septic tank? Shoot some insect spray down the vent to kill the Hornets. Then clear the vent. Good luck, Tom

Be very careful with the sulphuric acid. You never pour water into the acid.

I can not advise against using muratic acid, or any acid, in a enclosed area such as a rest room strongly enough. As a young boy I would take limed up toilet bowls out in the alley behind the shop and boil the lime out of them. Over half a century later my lungs still carry the scar tissue that the acid fumes caused. A few years ago I lost a good friend when he used a commercial drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid in a unvented bathroom. Acid IS NOT A GOOD IDEA to use to clear mineral buildup. Take it from one who's paid the price. Regards, Tom