Step 2 · Inspect and Manually Clear Surface Debris

Once safely on the roof, locate the plumbing vent stack—it will look like a short, open pipe, typically made of PVC or cast iron. Carefully approach it and, using a flashlight if necessary, look down into the opening. Often, clogs are near the top. Wearing your work gloves, manually pull out any visible debris such as leaves, twigs, bird nesting materials, or animal remains.