Forum Discussion

Jim4929's avatar
Jim4929
Explorer
Feb 15, 2014

Has anyone had a clogged plumbing roof vent pipe?

We are having oders in the kitchen area and they are coming from behind the stove. The kitchen sink and the half bath sink plumbing runs to that area and there is a pipe next in the outside opening next to the refrigerator that runs to the roof vent. Before I take out the stove and start taking about the vent on the roof, can anyone tell me what is going on here and would the vent being clogged kick back oders in the the living area?

14 Replies

  • First of all I would check the pilot lights/stove knobs on the stove. I had one bumped on and thought it was the gray tank smelling. Turned out to be propane coming out from a stove knob that got bumped to the on position and the propane was finding its lowest spot behind the stove and into the sink.

    Are all your p-traps filled with water? That water can evaporate and allow smells up thru the drain.

    If all that checks out ok. It could just be a stinky gray tank. Yes, they can smell awful and fill the RV with a smell. Depending on all what food stuffs and grease you allow to go down the sink and how often you clean it or don't.

    I pour one quart of lemon cleaner found at any grocery store every other time I dump the gray tank. Quart of lemon cleaner is around a whole dollar at Winn Dixie stores.
  • I did find a wasp nest clogging my thru roof vent. I was on a ladder, removed the vent cap, and found the wasp nest. Without thinking I reached in and removed it, and I was very grateful that it was empty. What could have gone wrong?

    It could also be something like this that has failed, and needs to be replaced.

    Under Sink Vent

    Edit: Me Again beat me to it.
  • The kitchen sink may have the interior vent at the top back of the cabinet, and you have a stinky tank and the valve is letting odor escape! Chris