Drain/Waste/Vent System.

The Drain, Waste, Vent system pipe can be iron, steel or plastic and typically ranges in size from 1 1/2 inches up to 4 inches or more. Most new systems use plastic. These pipes are not under pressure and simple work by gravity.

Waste lines are sloped downward slope all the way out to the sewer or septic system. If a slope cannot be maintained, or the drain must travel uphill, a pump must be used. Waste pumps are not covered here.

Every sink, toilet, shower, tub, etc. has a device called a trap. The trap is "U" or "J" shaped so that it traps a some water after each use. This small pool of water that remains in the drain pipe trap prevents sewer gas odors from entering the home. The water also deters small critters from traveling through the pipe and into your home. P.S. Aligators coming up thru the drains IS ONLY AN URBAN LEGEND!

Vents are part of this system and prevent suction which would inhibit the flow of water down drains. The suction could also can water to siphon out the traps in the fixtures and allow sewer gas to flow into your home.

The soil stack is the main component of the waste drain. It's a vertical "stack" of pipes that starts in the basement/crawlspace floor or wall where it's connected to the outbound sewer/septic line. The top end of the stack extends vertically out through the roof where it acts as a vent, allowing gases to escape outside. The vent system must alway remain open and clear. Trapped sewer gases can be dangerous and can cause obnoxious odors. Strange things can happen when a vent is clogged like one sink draining into another or gurgling sounds in a bathroom fixture when another fixture is draining.

All waste lines should have cleanouts which are a Y-shaped fitting in the line that is capped off. If a blockage occurs, this is the easiest place to snake out the line.

Drain/Waste/Vent System.

The Drain, Waste, Vent system pipe can be iron, steel or plastic and typically ranges in size from 1 1/2 inches up to 4 inches or more. Most new systems use plastic. These pipes are not under pressure and simple work by gravity.

Waste lines are sloped downward slope all the way out to the sewer or septic system. If a slope cannot be maintained, or the drain must travel uphill, a pump must be used. Waste pumps are not covered here.

Every sink, toilet, shower, tub, etc. has a device called a trap. The trap is "U" or "J" shaped so that it traps a some water after each use. This small pool of water that remains in the drain pipe trap prevents sewer gas odors from entering the home. The water also deters small critters from traveling through the pipe and into your home. P.S. Aligators coming up thru the drains IS ONLY AN URBAN LEGEND!

Vents are part of this system and prevent suction which would inhibit the flow of water down drains. The suction could also can water to siphon out the traps in the fixtures and allow sewer gas to flow into your home.

The soil stack is the main component of the waste drain. It's a vertical "stack" of pipes that starts in the basement/crawlspace floor or wall where it's connected to the outbound sewer/septic line. The top end of the stack extends vertically out through the roof where it acts as a vent, allowing gases to escape outside. The vent system must alway remain open and clear. Trapped sewer gases can be dangerous and can cause obnoxious odors. Strange things can happen when a vent is clogged like one sink draining into another or gurgling sounds in a bathroom fixture when another fixture is draining.

All waste lines should have cleanouts which are a Y-shaped fitting in the line that is capped off. If a blockage occurs, this is the easiest place to snake out the line.