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Toilets typically connect to your main vent stack, a vertical pipe that runs through all finished levels of your home and exits through the roof. It’s located behind the walls, but if you have an unfinished basement or a utility closet, you may find a portion of it running the vertical length of the space. Some basement toilets use an air admittance valve instead, which is a small vent located in the wall directly behind the toilet that extends upward a few feet from the drain.

Yes, you should always call a plumber to replace a pipe that you fixed with a temporary solution. Some temporary pipe leak solutions like pipe leak clamps can last for years and prevent further damage to your home, but eventually, they will fail, at which point you could be looking at more significant water damage and mold growth. Even if you suspect that your temporary solution will last a long time, always call a plumber for a permanent fix. Temporary solutions should be for minimizing damage and avoiding added charges for emergency plumbing services.

There are several types of sink drain stoppers, including pull-out, twist-and-pull, and pop-up. Pull-out sink stoppers can be removed by pulling on the stopper until it comes out of the drain. A twist-and-pull design requires lifting then turning the stopper to lock it in an open position and the opposite action (turning, then pressing down) to close it. A pop-up sink stopper works by pushing down the drain cover to open or close the passageway. 

Hiring an emergency plumber is expensive because of the urgency and inconvenience, but there are a few things you can do to help keep costs down:

• Minimize water damage by shutting off your water main 

• Clean up pooling water immediately to reduce damage and mold growth

• Avoid using fixtures if you have a clog or septic system backup

• Verify that your plumber is licensed before hiring

• Call a few plumbers for estimates if you can afford a short delay in getting service