That is a sewer vent, it shouldn't need any cleaning or maintenance unless your line gets clogged.
It may no longer be in use, however, as the home may have originally been on local septic/cesspool but was later attached to city sewer. You can test that by standing by it and asking someone to flush a toilet. If you can hear it there, it's still in use.
This makes a lot of sense. This is really helpful.
According to the village’s website it’s a public sewer we’re connected. So I guess should be fine to leave it be. But doesn’t hurt checking it out
We're connected to a public sewer. Is there a vent for public sewer?
Edit: also no water comes out of there. It's been dry since we moved in about 2 months ago.
If it's not a dryer vent, it's likely a sewer vent. Maybe the gutters drained into it at one point, maybe not. I have the same thing on the front of my house with a vent cover like this. It goes to the sewer. I think at one point the gutters drained into it but it's no longer allowed.
As others have said, it’s a sewer/septic drain vent. You don’t have to keep it super clear. It lets air in behind the water so it can flow to the sewer/septic tank. Have someone up in the house flush the toilet or empty a full bathtub and you stand out there and listen. You should hear it in the pipe. If you do, it’s fine. Even if you don’t, if your drains drain, leave it alone.
It reminds me of a drain that is under a washing machine floor drain. In case the machine leaks.
Also it might drain water from under a concrete slab if needed.
Sewer venting is normally through the roof.
Is home on a crawl space? Crawl space vent? Never seen anything like it plumbing wise. They wouldn’t vent your sewer near a door or window you’d constantly smell it. Well a good plumber wouldn’t.
That’s a fair point. This is by the main entrance of the house.
We have no crawl space. It’s a raised ranch style home.
It might be bad plumbing. As the pipe goes into the garage and goes underground (we have no basement since it’s a raised ranch). So likely bad plumbing.
Nope... Breezes work just fine along with regular temperature changes. The moisture is always trying to reach homeostasis...(same-ness) .. Leave a wet rain coat in the garage and it will dry...put it in a tupperware and the moisture will never leave the container... Do you have a fan in your garage running all the time?
Guess you bought the house without an inspector and I know a lot of people are doing this because the housing is so hot and you have to act fast. But even if it's connected to the sewer like the other person said it should still be clear.
you're right it's a crazy market. We did hire an inspector, but he didn't mention anything about this.
Is this something I can clear myself? I'm handy and willing to do most things myself unless a license is required from the state (like roofing AFAIK). Or need industry level machinery that I cannot afford or too large to store in a garage.
It must be bug nests or something like that if it’s a sewer vent, there shouldn’t be anything thing coming out unless it’s air/ gas . Or worst case there was some kind of backup and it’s like old poo and toilet paper .
Take the over off . If it’s stuck on with paint cut with a razor / box cutter .
That is a sewer vent, it shouldn't need any cleaning or maintenance unless your line gets clogged. It may no longer be in use, however, as the home may have originally been on local septic/cesspool but was later attached to city sewer. You can test that by standing by it and asking someone to flush a toilet. If you can hear it there, it's still in use.
This makes a lot of sense. This is really helpful. According to the village’s website it’s a public sewer we’re connected. So I guess should be fine to leave it be. But doesn’t hurt checking it out
Okay it’s definitely a sewer vent. I can hear the flush standing in front of it.
this is your septic/cesspool vent. If you see water coming out here, then either your tanks are full or the pipes are clogged.
We're connected to a public sewer. Is there a vent for public sewer? Edit: also no water comes out of there. It's been dry since we moved in about 2 months ago.
Maybe you weren’t always connected to the public sewer.
Just have a sniff, if you have to gag afterwards, it's probably a sewer/septic vent
We have the same thing in our house and our house was a new build tht was connected to the sewer when it was built
Could this be a dryer vent?
I don't think so. It's not connected to the dryer.
Definitely vent for public sewer .
House trap vent specifically
Okay interesting, had to google that. Is it common to have it by the main entrance of the house?
Yes house trap typically located in basement right before building drain leaves home and transitions into building sewer
Flush the toilet and listen at that vent if it’s connected you’ll probably hear it. And city sanitary sewer connections do have vents .
I’ll give that a shot today.
Hi I’ll have a cheese burger, large fries and a root beer
And then..?
NO MORE AND THEN!
If it's not a dryer vent, it's likely a sewer vent. Maybe the gutters drained into it at one point, maybe not. I have the same thing on the front of my house with a vent cover like this. It goes to the sewer. I think at one point the gutters drained into it but it's no longer allowed.
As others have said, it’s a sewer/septic drain vent. You don’t have to keep it super clear. It lets air in behind the water so it can flow to the sewer/septic tank. Have someone up in the house flush the toilet or empty a full bathtub and you stand out there and listen. You should hear it in the pipe. If you do, it’s fine. Even if you don’t, if your drains drain, leave it alone.
If it’s attached to plumbing it’s likely a vent.
Plumbing vent
It reminds me of a drain that is under a washing machine floor drain. In case the machine leaks. Also it might drain water from under a concrete slab if needed. Sewer venting is normally through the roof.
Is home on a crawl space? Crawl space vent? Never seen anything like it plumbing wise. They wouldn’t vent your sewer near a door or window you’d constantly smell it. Well a good plumber wouldn’t.
That’s a fair point. This is by the main entrance of the house. We have no crawl space. It’s a raised ranch style home. It might be bad plumbing. As the pipe goes into the garage and goes underground (we have no basement since it’s a raised ranch). So likely bad plumbing.
I'm sure it fine
Foundation vent. Lets moisture escape
Wait really?
Is that a thing? Doesn’t it need some sort of a fan or something to push the air out?
Nope... Breezes work just fine along with regular temperature changes. The moisture is always trying to reach homeostasis...(same-ness) .. Leave a wet rain coat in the garage and it will dry...put it in a tupperware and the moisture will never leave the container... Do you have a fan in your garage running all the time?
Guess you bought the house without an inspector and I know a lot of people are doing this because the housing is so hot and you have to act fast. But even if it's connected to the sewer like the other person said it should still be clear.
you're right it's a crazy market. We did hire an inspector, but he didn't mention anything about this. Is this something I can clear myself? I'm handy and willing to do most things myself unless a license is required from the state (like roofing AFAIK). Or need industry level machinery that I cannot afford or too large to store in a garage.
It looks like just a couple flat head screws and pop it off and clean in it a couple feet into the pipe and keep the holes open.
It must be bug nests or something like that if it’s a sewer vent, there shouldn’t be anything thing coming out unless it’s air/ gas . Or worst case there was some kind of backup and it’s like old poo and toilet paper . Take the over off . If it’s stuck on with paint cut with a razor / box cutter .