Why Does My Drain Make a Gurgling Sound?

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Even if your sink drains without issue, it may make a curious gurgling sound, leading you to ask, "Why does my drain make a gurgling sound?" To find out why you have a gurgling drain and what you can do about it, read what our drain cleaning experts in Mankato have to say on the subject.

Why Your Drain Gurgles

Your drain gurgles due to a clogged drain line, sewer line, or vent pipe. Obstructions block water or air from flowing through your pipes, which results in trapped air and, thus, air bubbles. When a clog creates suction and pulls the trapped air from your drain or drain’s p-trap into the drain itself, you hear the gurgling sound. 

The science is the same whether your drain gurgles due to a localized plumbing problem or an issue with your plumbing system. You can tell where and what the problem is by the following distinction.

Gurgling in the Drain You Are Using

If you only hear gurgling in your bathroom sink, the issue is most likely with that specific drain or that drain’s p-trap. The p-trap holds a small amount of water that seals off your drain from sewer gas. This curved pipe prevents the odors from the main sewer line from entering your drain.

The good news is that whether the problem is with your drain or p-trap in particular, it is a local problem. You should still take care of it as soon as possible, but it's a simpler issue to address.

Gurgling in a Different Drain

If your bathroom sink gurgles when you use your kitchen sink or vice versa, the problem could be with your main sewer line or main vent. Since this problem is central to your plumbing system, it is more serious than a clogged drain, and you should have plumbing professionals check it out immediately.

What Causes Blockage in Your Drains?

Before understanding how to address these problems, it is helpful to know the common causes of each type of blockage. 

Common Causes of Blocked Drains

A partial clog is significantly less serious than a full clog, but both result from the same group of things, such as:

• Dirt
• Hair
• Soap residue
• Oils or grease
• Toilet paper build-up

Since you can't typically prevent these items from entering the drain, you should address a blocked drain as soon as you notice it.

Common Causes of Blocked Sewer Lines

A blocked sewer line is a problem that affects your whole plumbing system and is often tied to one of these three things:

• Broken pipes
• Tree roots
• Bathroom products (tissues, baby wipes, dental floss, etc.)

You should dispose of bathroom products that don’t belong in your plumbing system in an alternative fashion, but there is nothing you can do to prevent tree roots from damaging your pipes or a sporadic pipe burst. The best way to avoid blocked sewer lines is by having professionals regularly maintain your sewage system.

Common Causes of Blocked Main Vent

The main vent helps keep your house odor-free, allowing for airflow in your plumbing system. The most common cause of a blocked main vent is debris falling into it, as it sits on your roof and is open to the external environment. To avoid a blocked vent, you can put a grate on top of it or check it periodically for leaves, twigs, and other such things. 

How to Fix a Gurgling Sink

At this point, you should have the answer to the question, "Why does my drain make a gurgling sound?" However, fixing the issue largely depends on determining what the problem is.

If you have a gurgling sink, here are a few DIY methods to try:

• Drain cleaner: The obvious solution, you can use a chemical drain cleaner, which can be harsh on your pipes, a bio-enzyme drain cleaner, which is great for breaking down food matter, or a DIY drain cleaner, consisting of baking soda and vinegar (followed by hot water). Whatever you choose, this is the most hands-off approach.
• Drain auger or snake: This is a particularly useful method for clogs caused by hair or large clogs deep within your pipes. 
• Plunger: You can use your plunger on your sink, adding petroleum jelly to the lip of your plunger to improve the seal. Plunging your drain might strike you as a novel idea, but it works.
• Fix the p-trap: This is the curved pipe in the shape of a U or a J. Place a bucket directly underneath the pipe and remove it. This will give you easy access to any clogs within this pipe.

How to Fix a Main Vent

You know it is time to fix your main vent if an action in one room causes a gurgling sound in another. Your main vent is likely on the roof above a bathroom. Use hot water to flush the opening, or use a sewer auger to remove any blockage. 

Some homes have an air admittance valve instead of a main vent. This valve sits right behind the p-trap and is easy to replace. 

Alternative Solution: Flush The System

You can flush your system by running hot water through your pipes for 15 minutes. Sometimes the fix is as simple as that. 

Babe Plumbing | When It’s Time to Call a Professional

Whether you have a drain clog or a more serious issue that you want a professional to take care of, our team at Babe Plumbing is here for you. We are the most trusted plumber in Mankato, MN, with more than 40 years of experience.

Our team of experts offers several services, such as:

• Drain cleaning
• Plumbing services
• Water heater repair/installation
• Water filtration system repair/installation
• Water softener installation
• And more!

When it’s time to call a professional, it’s time to call Babe Plumbing at (507) 418-8387! We can do more than answer, “Why does my drain make a gurgling sound?” We can address all of your plumbing and water needs!

Author Bio:

Jeff Jordan and Anne Jordan

The wizards at Babe Plumbing. With synchronized finesse, they flawlessly orchestrate service excellence, transforming appointment chaos into a harmonious symphony of plumbing solutions, leaving customers impressed and ever-grateful for their unrivaled coordination.