You're spot on about vents causing sneaky problems. Had something similar happen a few months back—spent hours troubleshooting a stubborn flush issue only to find out it was actually a tennis ball lodged in the roof vent (kids next door, go figure...). It's always satisfying when you finally pinpoint the culprit after chasing your tail for ages.
Honestly, plumbing's one of those fields where experience really pays off. You can read all the manuals and guides you want, but nothing beats climbing up ladders or crawling under houses to see what's really going on. Glad you got it sorted out though... these little victories make the headaches worth it.
"Honestly, plumbing's one of those fields where experience really pays off. You can read all the manuals and guides you want, but nothing beats climbing up ladders or crawling under houses to see what's really going on."
Totally agree that hands-on experience is invaluable, but sometimes manuals and guides can save you from unnecessary headaches too. I remember a job last year where I spent half a day crawling around under a house chasing phantom leaks. Turned out the homeowner had installed some DIY fittings incorrectly—something clearly outlined in the manual I'd skimmed past earlier. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess...
Speaking of vents though, tennis balls are definitely a new one for me. Usually it's leaves or birds' nests causing trouble. Did you end up putting any kind of screen or guard over your vent afterward? I've heard mixed opinions on those—some swear by them, others say they just cause more blockages down the line. Curious if anyone's had good luck with them long-term.
I've had mixed experiences with vent screens myself. A few years back, I installed one after dealing with a stubborn bird's nest that caused some nasty backups. At first, it seemed like a perfect solution—no more birds or leaves clogging things up. But after about a year, I noticed the screen itself was collecting debris and causing slow drainage. Ended up having to climb back up there and clean it out regularly, which kinda defeated the purpose.
Eventually, I swapped it out for a different style—a dome-shaped guard with wider spacing. It still keeps birds and tennis balls (ha!) out, but lets smaller stuff pass through easily. Haven't had any major issues since, just a quick check every now and then to make sure nothing weird is going on.
So yeah, I'd say screens can work, but choosing the right type makes all the difference.
I've seen a lot of similar issues with vent screens in the field.
"Eventually, I swapped it out for a different style—a dome-shaped guard with wider spacing."
Yeah, those dome-shaped guards usually do the trick. The wider spacing lets small debris flow through naturally, preventing buildup. One thing I'd suggest is checking the vent stack itself occasionally—sometimes the pipe diameter or angle can affect airflow and drainage. Might be worth a quick look next time you're up there... just to be safe.
Those dome-shaped guards are usually solid, but I've seen a few cases where birds still managed to nest inside because of the wider spacing.
"Might be worth a quick look next time you're up there... just to be safe."
Definitely agree with this—better safe than sorry. Ever had issues with critters getting in yours?
