Having a toilet that ‘glug, glug, glugs’ every time you use it can be more than just annoying. If you notice drains gurgling when flushing the toilet,, it can point to airflow, venting, or blockage issues in your plumbing system. Not taking care of gurgling drains can evolve into greater and more expensive plumbing headaches. This blog intends to outline what you should be listening for in your drains, what you can do about it yourself, and when it is time to bring in the pros.
What Gurgling Drains Mean
Normally, there are just a few causes responsible for gurgling drains. The most common reason is a clog in the drainpipes. Grease, debris, or, commonly, hair builds up into an obstruction. Another reason for gurgling drains is blocked ventilation. A blocked rooftop vent pipe traps air in your drainage system resulting in gurgles in the drains. The final cause could be a sewer line issue where a clog, due to a significant obstacle or tree root, causes more than one drain or plumbing fixture in your home to burble.
How Toilet Flushing Affects Other Drains
When it comes to gurgling drains, toilets are one of the first fixtures to point out evidence of a problem. With each flush, a significant amount of water is sent down a drain pipe which requires airflow from ventilation.
- Insufficient ventilation can create a vacuum from the flushing water that gurglingly tries to suck air from the P-traps in sinks or from showers that are close by.
- Shared drain lines between a toilet and a shower that have a partial clog can cause bubbles in the toilet or effluent to spill up through the shower drain.
- Pressure changes that come from flushing can cause the levels of water in other toilets to rise or fall because of a blockage.
- Issues with a vent pipe are indicated if one toilet causes another one to lose water.
Airflow and Plumbing Vent Problems
Plumbing vent problems are one of the major reasons for gurgling drains.The most typical explanations for gurgling drains due to restricted ventilation include:
- Blocked Roof Vent – Ventilation airflow can be blocked by accumulations of debris, animal or insect nests, or frost/ice during the winter.
- Damaged or Badly Installed Vent – If a ventilation pipe is too small, is broken, or is installed at an inaccurate slope, insufficient airflow could result.
- Air Admittance Valve – This one-way valve can let in air when needed, but if it becomes stuck while it is closed, airflow drops considerably.
- P-Trap – If a sink’s P-trap has a partially plugged drain line or if the P-trap dries out, gurgles can result from the vacuum sucking air through the pipe.
- Main Sewer Line – If gurgling sounds are coming from more than one fixture, then the main sewer line is most likely the airflow culprit.
Partial Drain or Sewer Line Blockages
With partial drain or sewer line blockages, vacuums are created as water forces itself past the grease and soap scum build up, hair balls, inappropriate items, or tree roots. Air is sucked through traps or air bubbles are pushed up drain lines causing gurgling.
The issues responsible for those sounds being created in the first place include:
- Interrupted Airflow – Water passing an obstruction creates a vacuum that sucks air past traps.
- Bubbles of Air – Air trapped by an obstruction is forced up a drain by more flowing water.
- Main Line Issue – Multiple fixtures that gurgle indicate a partial blockage in the main sewer line.
- Slow Drains – The slower that water drains away, the more chances there are to trap air in the drain.
Sewer Line Problems That Cause Gurgling
The main indicators that hint at a sewer line blockage are multiple drains gurgling, water backing up in the shower, and unpleasant smells coming from the drains.
The main problems that cause main line blockage involve:
- Tree Roots – Roots search for water and can grow into pipes restricting the passage of water.
- F.O.G. – Fats, oils, and greases (FOG) accumulate into solid, waxy obstructions.
- Items Not Meant to Be Flushed – The amount of wet wipes, dental floss, feminine hygiene products and more increases without breaking down.
Why Gurgling Can Lead to Bigger Plumbing Issues
Continued pressure imbalances caused by the vacuum created when water is flushed can lead to a number of problems. If drain backup warning signs are ignored, the gurgling issue can amplify and lead to effluent backing up into showers and sinks, unpleasant odours emanating from the drains, or possible pipe damage or even pipe failure. If you have been enduring gurgling drains for some time, call for professional help right away.
What You Can Check Safely at Home
When gurgles appear in your home, there are several things you can check right away.
- Use a Plunger – In the toilet, shower, or sink (cover the overflow hole), plunge to attempt to displace any blockages.
- P-Trap – Remove and clean out any substances from the sink’s P-trap.
- Use a Snake – A plumber’s snake might be able to twist through and dislodge minor build ups.
- Ventilation – If possible, check the roof’s vent pipe for any obstructions and clear them.
- Natural Drain Cleaner – Into a drain, dump 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Wait 10 minutes and pour down a hot water flush.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
You have taken note where the gurgling noises are coming from, and you have tried to fix the problem on your own. Now, several drains are gurgling when you flush a toilet. You have done your due diligence. Don’t take a chance by escalating your efforts. It is time to bring in the pros.
AquaRescue, after almost two decades, has seen and especially heard it all when it comes to gurgling drains. With some of the most qualified plumbing experts in the GTA, you can trust us to rid you of your noisy drains. Contact us today to receive a free estimate.