[cameliabud]

My house is a one-story, brick ranch, built in 1959. I have had constant plumbing problems... toilets that stop up and I'm having bubbling and gurgling in my tub and both toilets at the other end of the house, when the washer drains.

I've paid over $1200.00 in plumbing costs over 5 years trying to get this fixed. It's been snaked twice from the toilets. Neither plumber was able to find my vent! They dug a bit where they thought it would be, and they've taken poles and gone over the yard sticking it in the ground... but no luck.

Our town joined the larger county water system a few years ago, and they come "flush" the sewer system about every 6 months or so. Each time they do, my toilets lose all their water and there is a horrible smell that comes from them - I assume sewer gas. Is this normal?

And could my house possibly not have a vent?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[plumberjames83]

Run a camera(sea snake) up the veNt see were it ends up

[labman]

If your roof has pipes sticking up through it, you have vents. If not, no. Is it perhaps clean outs they are looking for?

Yes after the flush, you have toxic, flammable sewer gas entering your house. Quick fix is to flush the toilet and run water down the drains to refill the traps with water.

[speedball1]

If your house has "S" traps instead of "P" traps it's a pretty good indication that your home is unvented. Lab was bang on about the sewer flush suctioning the trap seals out, especially if there are no vents to relieve the suction. I would call three plumbing companys and get estimates on running vents or at least installing AAV's (Air Admittance Vents) (see image) on all unvented fixtures, Your home is unsafe without them. Good luck, Tom