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Clean the Vent Pipe with a Vacuum — Inspect the Plumbing Vent Stack on the Roof

Beginner

Part of project

How to Diagnose and Fix a Gurgling Toilet · Step 3 of 5

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In this video

Securely position an extension ladder to safely access the roof. Carefully climb onto the roof, carrying the assembled vacuum hose. Have an assistant on the ground to turn the shop vacuum on and off on your signal. Sit or kneel in a stable position next to the clogged vent pipe, insert the hose, and push it down until you feel the obstruction. Signal for the vacuum to be turned on and work the hose up and down to dislodge and suck out all the debris.

Goal: Cleaning

  • Always have a spotter or assistant when working on a ladder, especially when handling bulky equipment.

Used in this video

  • Extension Ladder (brand: Unspecified, Tool Type: Ladder, Safety Features: Non-slip rungs) — To safely access the roof.
  • Shop Vacuum (brand: Unspecified, Tool Type: Cleaning Tools, Power Source: Corded electric) — To remove debris from the vent.
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FAQs

How difficult is it to fix a gurgling toilet, and how much time should I expect it to take?

This project is rated as "beginner" difficulty. Many issues can be resolved quickly with a plunger. However, if the problem lies in the vent stack, it can become more involved and potentially require roof access. Expect to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the cause and whether you need to clear the plumbing vent.

What are the essential tools I absolutely need to have before attempting to fix my gurgling toilet?

At a minimum, you'll need a high-quality plunger and heavy-duty gloves. If plunging doesn't work, a drain auger (plumbing snake) is crucial for clearing deeper clogs. For vent stack issues, a sturdy ladder, garden hose with a spray nozzle, and potentially a pipe wrench are also necessary.

What are the most important safety precautions I should take when diagnosing and fixing a gurgling toilet?

Always wear heavy-duty latex gloves and work gloves to protect yourself from unsanitary water and potential chemicals. If accessing the roof to clear the vent stack, use a sturdy ladder placed on level ground, wear slip-resistant shoes, and consider having a spotter. Be cautious when operating a drain auger to prevent injury or pipe damage.

I've plunged my toilet multiple times, but it's still gurgling. What should I try next?

If plunging doesn't resolve the gurgling, the issue is likely a partial blockage further down your main sewer line or, more commonly, in your plumbing vent stack. The next step is to use a drain auger to clear the main line cleanout, or proceed to inspect and clear the plumbing vent from your roof as outlined in the project steps.

Transcript
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Hold it by the hose part, or the hard part, here you go, you can drop it down and I got extra. You can hold it normal, lower your arms a little bit more comfortable, all right, power it on and watch it, I got you, you can lower it down, just turn on the shop back for a little bit more, I think we have one spin in here, hold it so that it's comfortable for you, okay? So well, we're here, we're here, you can have an extra hold. We've got it, we've got it. All right, lower it down so you don't get pushed in some stuff. So as you can see, this can be done without rental equipment, this was fast, it was easy to do, now the reason we weren't able to just take a sewer sink down from the top is right below the roof line where the saw fit or the e-tip, there's an elbow coming down, it bumps out, it comes from the outer wall and down to the basement. There's another elbow, I believe, at the basement still where it's going to go down and elbow a lot again. So the best way to do it is try to vacuum out what you can, which we were able to do and then you flush water down and then it'll just go backwards into the sewer system through the house drain and out through the city water. So I think we got all of our clogs off cleaned up, that's all right, so I am back up on

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