"Guess I'll be climbing up to the roof this weekend... wish me luck."
Been there, done that—more times than I'd like to admit. Honestly, vent stacks are one of those sneaky culprits that seem ridiculous until you've actually dealt with them. Had a tenant once whose basement flooded because squirrels decided the vent was prime real estate. You're right to be skeptical, but checking it yourself first is smart. Just take your time up there and stay safe... roofs can be tricky. Good luck!
I had a similar issue last spring—thought it was just a simple clog, but after some research, realized the vent stack could be causing the problem. Climbing up there felt intimidating at first, but once you're up, it's pretty straightforward. Just make sure you've got someone spotting you from below and take your time. Honestly, troubleshooting these things yourself can feel daunting, but it's rewarding when you finally pinpoint the issue. You've got this... stay safe up there.
"Climbing up there felt intimidating at first, but once you're up, it's pretty straightforward."
Definitely agree with this. I'd also suggest checking your cleanout plug in the basement before climbing up. Last year, I assumed my issue was vent-related too, but it turned out the cleanout was partially blocked by roots. A simple auger rental from the local hardware store cleared it right up—saved me quite a bit compared to calling a plumber. Just a thought if you want to rule out easier fixes first...
Had a similar issue a couple years back—thought it was the vent too, climbed up there and everything looked fine. Turned out the blockage was further down the line, near where the pipe exits the house. Ended up renting one of those heavy-duty drain snakes (the powered kind, not the hand-crank) and cleared out a nasty clump of roots and gunk. Definitely worth checking that main line before climbing around on your roof...
"Ended up renting one of those heavy-duty drain snakes (the powered kind, not the hand-crank) and cleared out a nasty clump of roots and gunk."
Had something similar happen last spring, and I totally agree—those powered snakes are lifesavers. But if you're dealing with roots, you might want to think about a longer-term solution too. Roots usually mean there's a crack or gap somewhere in your pipe that's letting them in. Clearing them out is great for immediate relief, but they'll just keep coming back if you don't address the underlying issue.
Here's what worked for me:
1. After clearing the blockage, I had a plumber run a camera down the line. It wasn't super cheap, but seeing exactly where the roots were getting in saved me from guessing and digging up half my yard.
2. Once we pinpointed the spot, we dug down (thankfully it wasn't too deep) and replaced just that section of pipe with PVC. PVC is way less prone to root intrusion than older clay or cast iron pipes.
3. To keep things eco-friendly, I also planted some shallow-rooted shrubs nearby instead of trees with aggressive roots. Native plants are usually a good bet—they're adapted to your local conditions and won't go hunting for water in your pipes.
It's been over a year now without any issues, fingers crossed...
Have you noticed if there's a particular tree or shrub near your sewer line that might be causing trouble?
