Do plumbing pipes extend above the roof, if so how do they affect smells from your toilet?

Question

Do plumbing pipes extend above the roof, if so how do they affect smells from your toilet?

Answer 1

Yes its called a "stack". Your toilets and sinks and tubs all have what's called a J bend in them or sometimes called a P trap. Water sits in that little bend and prevents smells from backfiring up through the drain holes.

At the same time the stack goes up through the roof and extends over the sewer or septic line. The effect is to allow air pressure to equalize and also causes lighter gasses such as methane to escape upwards and outside the home.

Answer 2

Go on any rood with vent pipe sticking up and take a whiff.  If you do not vent your fixtures that smell will be in your house.

Answer 3

yes they r vent pipes for sewer gas they hook on to ur drains after the trap they release the gas in the sewer so it doesnt bubble up thru ur sink or toilet and stink up ur house

Answer 4

yes they do.it is called a vent.like another answer in here .all plumbing sytems have have pee trap.it holds water and the vent goes up to release that stuff into the air.  

Answer 5

The other answers covered most of what DWV (drain,waste, and vent) pipes are about. But if a bird builds a nest, or even a failed nest, and clogs pipes above roof level, you may end up with worse problems then just the smell.

Answer 6

Yes, the sewer system is vented to above the roof in most houses. In every drain, there is a loop seal of water which prevents any gas from backing up into the house. Remember, sewers contain stuff that is rotting and naturally smells bad, and rotting things give off foul odors and noxious gasses of various kinds, some of which can kill you. So, to prevent loss of the water seal in the drains, the area just beyond the loop seal is vented to atmosphere which prevents any gas pressure buildup which could cause gas to bubble back through the water seal. EVERY drain in a house has a loop seal, and every line below a loop seal is vented somewhere to atmosphere. That is the price we pay for indoor plumbing...

Answer 7

The pipe you refer to is the vent for the objectionable odors from the toilet. When you flush, the water draining to the sewer/septic tank, causes a vacuum in the vent, drawing in air from outside, that helps the gray water drain better. If there is still sewer gas or similar odors in the toilet, it may be the vent is restricted or clogged with leaves, or other debris.