Why Does My Drain Line Gurgling?
Do you hear a gurgling noise coming from the drains in your home? Don’t worry, we have put together this guide to help you identify the cause of this annoying noise.
Have you ever turned on the faucet and heard a strange noise, as if the water had stopped flowing? This is what a gurgling sound sounds like.
As a homeowner, you have to multitask and take care of many practical tasks. This includes everything from fixing leaky pipes to maintaining floorboards, and it’s no easy task.
Just like the entire plumbing system, pipes also require regular maintenance. If you notice that your pipes are making a gurgling noise, don’t panic because in most cases you can fix the problem yourself.
Today in our guide we will cover almost all the reasons why pipes gurgle. Just read on to find out!
WHAT CAUSES DRAIN GURGLING?
When a clog develops in drains or pipes, some air becomes trapped and an air bubble forms. Gargling is nothing more than the air pockets or bubbles that forcefully rise through the pipe with the water.
Now let’s look at all possible causes in detail:
1. BLOCKED DRAIN LINE
If the gurgling is loud enough, you may have a blockage in your drain line. You can tell the exact location of the blockage by the number of drains gurgling.
If the noise comes from a single pipe, you can immediately identify the culprit. However, the problem lies in the main sewer line when the sink in the kitchen gurgles when you turn on the faucet in the bathroom.
All drainage systems are equipped with ventilation pipes, separated from the water pipe and positioned on the roof. Gases and excess air at the outlet of the sewer pipes escape through the vents via these respiratory tracts.
Sometimes birds or rodents nest in ventilation pipes and clog them with twigs and feathers. This prevents the air from escaping the respiratory tract and remains trapped in the pipes and escapes into your drains.
We have found that the blockage of the drain pipes can be partial or complete and can cause different gurgling sounds. You can distinguish the two through observation and act accordingly.
2. PARTIALLY BLOCKED DRAIN
With a partial blockage, the water flows slowly and at low pressure and the drain makes a gurgling sound. You can avoid a complete clog by quickly cleaning the drain with a drain cleaner.
3. COMPLETELY BLOCKED DRAIN
In the event of a complete blockage, water will stop flowing and stagnate in your bathtub and sink. It is rare for a drain to become completely and suddenly blocked; In most cases, partial constipation can be detected in advance. It is better to treat the drain early than to allow the clog to grow larger.
The accumulation of dirt, soap scum, hair, dead skin, oil or toilet paper residue are some of the reasons for clogged drains. If multiple pipes are gurgling at the same time, it’s better to call your plumber.
4. CLOGGED VENT SYSTEM
All lights in your home are connected to a ventilation system that allows air to circulate smoothly without disturbing the exhaust pipes. Vents are easy to distinguish from regular drainpipes because they are thin structures that protrude from the roof near your kitchen or bathroom.
They collect dirt when open and usually make a gurgling noise. If the vent pipe itself is clogged, air will not be able to fully exit the system and will flow back out of the water outlets.
If your drain is making strange noises, check the vents for obvious signs of a blockage before calling a plumber. This saves you a lot of time and money.
5. BLOCKED OR DAMAGED P-TRAP
A P-siphon rids your home of unpleasant odors and prevents gas from escaping down the drain. For those unfamiliar with P-siphons, we would like to point out that they are a U-shaped pipe that retains water and is located under the sink. A water barrier is created that serves as a barrier against smelly gases.
Have you ever noticed the foul smell of ammonia that sometimes comes from your sink or toilet? This happens when the P-trap is improperly installed or damaged.
When flushing the toilet or using the sink, pay attention to odors if your drain is gurgling. If it is an unusual fault, you should check or replace your P-trap.
5. ISSUE IN THE MAIN LINE
Your home’s wastewater is carried to your building’s main sewer system via a single large pipe called a sewer line. This pipe plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of all drains in your home. When your sewer line ruptures, it’s stressful, so handle it with extra care.
An obvious way to determine if the gurgling is caused by a problem in the main sewer line is to pay attention to the toilet. If the basement pipes overflow when you flush the toilet on another floor, the problem is with the sewer system.
These are the main reasons that usually lead to gurgling in the pipes. However, it is better to seek professional help if you cannot find the cause and the problem persists for two to three days.
HOW TO FIX A GURGLING DRAIN
You can try to fix the gurgling noise by following these simple steps:
1. ISOLATE THE CAUSE
You need to isolate the gurgling drain and carefully examine the problem. If only one drain, such as the one in your kitchen sink, is making noise, the problem is probably limited to that part only.
However, the problem is not limited to a single drain if the noise is coming from multiple appliances. This could be related to the main line or vent pipes.
2. CLEAN THE VENT AND DRAIN THE PIPE
Only attempt this task if you feel confident enough and have the necessary equipment at home.
If you have problems with the vents, try removing the debris by hosing down the patio vent pipes. Remove the rust and clear the clog with a snake or auger if the problem is with the drain pipe.
Be careful with the sewers near your home. You can also clear the main line by putting a snake in it. However, we warn you that this method is quite long and laborious.
FIXING YOUR GURGLING DRAIN
Gurgling pipes may seem like a small problem, but we advise you not to take it lightly.
Consider it the first sign of a major chain reaction about to occur in your plumbing system. Therefore, it is advisable to check the pipes themselves thoroughly when the gurgling occurs as it is usually easy to detect.
We recommend using an inspection camera to detect any clogs and a drain cleaner to clear these clogs. If you cannot identify the cause, contact a professional. Heartland Plumbing has clogged pipe specialists in Magnolia TX and can help you at any time. Call us for more information.
Before we wrap up, we would like to give you one last tip: do not throw tissues, toilet paper or other non-biodegradable items down the drain. See you next time. Take care!
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