Pittsburgh Local Resource- What to Do When Your Drain Starts to Gurgle

As a homeowner, you want to be aware of any problem that arises with your home to take care of it immediately. If not, it may turn into an even more significant issue. So when you are using your kitchen or bathroom sink and hear a gurgling sound coming from the drain, should you panic? Should you ignore it? Is there something wrong with the plumbing? Do you need to hire a plumber? If the drain is gurgling, there could be several factors at play, some requiring the assistance of a professional plumber.

Yet, with the help of Mister Sewer Plumbing & Drain Experts, you won’t have to worry when asking yourself, “Why does my drain gurgle?” Here we will discuss the leading causes of a gurgling drain and what can be done to correct the situation:

What Causes a Drain to Gurgle?

That gurgling sound is actually air bubbles forcing their way up from inside your drain. When a clog forms down in your pipes, a pocket of air can form around the clog, causing the trapped air to make its way up as water flows down from your sink. This is a direct result of air displacement and leads to the tell-tale sound of your drain gurgling.

There are also ventilation pipes that diverge from the water pipes and lead to the roof. These airways allow gasses from the sewer line to escape through the roof vents. But if those vents become clogged, usually with bird, rodent, and insect nesting materials and debris, the gasses are forced back down into the water lines and make their way up to your drain. Typically, a gurgling drain caused by an obstructed ventilation pipe will also result in bad smells coming from the drains in the home. Since the natural gases that occur in sewer lines can not escape through the vented area, they vent themselves into the residence causing noxious odors.

Lastly, the sewer line that leads from your home to the street can also become clogged. If this is not addressed promptly, significant and costly damage can occur. It is essential to have periodic sewer line checks to the main municipal sewer to ensure that the line is not clogged or damaged. These can be performed with a remote camera that is guided through your pipes to the main sewer line.

So the next time you are asking yourself, “Why does my drain gurgle?” you know something is definitely wrong and should be addressed sooner rather than later. A professional drain cleaning may be in order. Below are some steps to take to help you fix your drain and sewer pipes before more damage is done.

Step 1: Isolate The Cause Of The Gurgle

If the sink itself gurgles when in use, then it may be that the problem is limited to that particular sink and the vent or drain line that extends from it. However, if you notice the sound coming from the sink when you flush a toilet or drain the tub, perhaps even from another bathroom, then that shows that the problem is with the main vent or elsewhere.

As mentioned, drain gurgling is normally a symptom of a larger problem. When gurgling occurs at every drain in your home, this is a sign of a significant issue that needs immediate action.

Step 2: Use A Snake Or Auger To Clear the Vent And Drain Pipe

If you have the tools and experience to tackle this job on your own, then feel free to work on it yourself. If you think the vent is blocked, then try hosing the vents up on the roof to clear any debris that has accumulated there. You can also use a sewer auger from the roof vent opening, pushing it all the way down to wherever the blockage has occurred.

If you think the clog is in your drain pipe, try removing the drain plate and using a snake to push through the clog. If you have a small drain along the outside of your home, you can also try inserting the snake there and pushing through the sewer line out to the street. This can be an extremely time-consuming and complicated process if not done correctly.

Step 3: Call a Professional

Please be advised that all of these options require the right tools, knowledge, and experience. If you are asking yourself, “Why is my drain gurgling?” and are unsure of what to do next, contact a professional plumbing service. Tackling a clogged drain without the proper tools and know-how could make matters worse, causing extensive damage to the home’s plumbing system and perhaps even voiding a new-home warranty or insurance coverage.

If you don’t know why the drain is gurgling, then call a professional plumber for assistance. Mister Sewer Plumbing & Drain Experts has years of plumbing experience and is ready to help with all of your plumbing needs.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!