The toilet is one of the most frequently used plumbing fixtures in a home. So when a problem occurs, it’s important to act quickly to prevent matters from getting worse. A strange gurgling sound is a telltale sign that there’s a problem somewhere in the plumbing system, and the faster you can identify the cause, the better you can prevent backed up toilets, sinks, and shower and tub drains.
So, what causes a toilet to gurgle? And what can you do about it? Read on to find out.
What Causes a Toilet to Gurgle?
Typically, air flows freely through plumbing lines, allowing waste to run smoothly down and out of the home. But when a toilet makes a gurgling sound, it’s a sign that negative air pressure or suction is building up in the drain line. Eventually, the negative air pressure will release, pushing air back through the drainpipe and into the toilet bowl, causing bubbling or a gurgling sound. If the negative pressure is ignored, waste could back up into toilets, showers, or tubs.
Typically, there are three reasons for negative air pressure:
- A clogged toilet or drain line
- A mainline or sewer line problem
- A blocked vent stack
Clogged Toilet or Drain Line
The easiest problem to troubleshoot is a clogged toilet, especially if you don’t notice a problem anywhere else in the house. With the toilet bowl full of water, fit the head of the plunger tightly to the drain hole in the bottom of the bowl. Apply 10 to 15 firm pumping motions, then wait to see if the toilet gurgles again. Plunging the toilet might create enough pressure to dislodge a light-to-moderate clog, such as one resulting from flushing something that should not have been flushed. If not, you may have a clog in a drain line.
Drain lines are the lines in your house that various fixtures use to channel water outside. The mainline leads all wastewater to the municipal connection. If you notice gurgling in more than one toilet on the same level of the house, you may have a clog in a drain line. Unclogging a drain line is job best left to the pros.
Clogged Main Line
If plunging the toilet didn’t stop the gurgling, see if your neighbors are experiencing similar issues. If so, there may be a clog in the community main sewer line creating gurgling toilets (among other issues) in your neighbors’ homes as well. The municipal line is the line that leads wastewater away from the house. Your home’s mainline dumps into this line, as do the lines coming from other homes. The good news is that it’s the municipality’s responsibility to get the line cleared, not yours. Contact your municipality or water company to report the problem.
Blocked Vent Stack
A clog in the vent stack could be restricting airflow and causing the gurgle. You may also notice some slow draining around the house or a smelly, gassy sewer odor. In order to check and clear the vent stack, you’ll need to get on the roof so if you’re not completely comfortable with that, call the pros. Vent clogs are often caused by leaves and debris, or even the carcass of a small animal that got stuck in the pipe. If the clog is within a few feet of the top of the pipe, you may be able to remove it with a straightened-out wire coat hanger. Deeper clogs will require the help of a professional.
Time to Eagle Service Company
If the methods don’t resolve the gurgling or you’re simply not comfortable taking the DIY approach, it’s time to call Eagle. Our licensed plumbers have specialized equipment that can get to the cause of the clog or blockage and clear it once and for all. No matter how simple or complex of a job it might be, we’re ready to help get your drains back in proper working order. Contact us today or anytime.
