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Simlply put, a plumbing system supplies fresh water to a building, and removes the waste. However, all plumbing systems are connected with a swer line or septic system, creating a danger of sewer gases escaping back through the pipe into the building. Vents and drain traps exist to handle this problem.

In plumbing, a '''trap''' is a solution to the problem of backup of sewer gas.  A plumbing system supplies fresh water to a building, and removes the waste. However, all plumbing systems are connected with a sewer line or septic system, creating a danger of sewer gases escaping back through the pipe into the building. Vents and drain traps exist to handle this problem.

The most common plumbing system, is the "DWV system", or Drain,Waste,Vent system. It's a network of drain pipes, they run to all the sink,showers,toilets.. etc etc. Most newer waste pipes are made from polyvinyl chloride, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PVC /ABS, sealed with glue. Older systems used lead pipes or cast iron soldered with lead or other soft metals.

The most common plumbing system, is the "DWV system", or Drain, Waste, Vent system. Most newer waste pipes are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and sealed with glue. Older systems used lead pipes or cast iron soldered with lead or other soft metals.

The soil stack is the main part 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  sewer/septic line.The top end of the stack acts as a vent of sorts. It extends upward through the roof, allows the gases to escape outside and also helps drain flow by drawing air inward.A plugged vent can trap gases and inhibits drainage which can cause serious problems.

The main part of the waste drain is the soil stack, a vertical "stack" of pipes that starts in the basement/crawlspace floor (or wall) where it is connected to the  sewer/septic line. The top end of the stack acts as a vent. It extends upward through the roof, allowing the gases to escape outside, and also helps drain flow by drawing air inward. A plugged vent can trap gases and inhibit drainage, causing serious problems.

Make sure the vent doesn't end in the attic. Trapped sewer gases can be dangerous, (they stink) they cause serious structural problems. And a system without a vent may actually suck water out a sink's trap, or do the reverse and fill the sink with water when another fixture drains, another bad occurence.

Problems can also result if the vent ends inside the building. Trapped sewer gases can be dangerous or at least malodorous and can cause serious structural problems. A system without a vent may actually suck water out a sink's trap, or do the reverse and fill the sink with water when another fixture drains, another bad occurence.