Hearing strange noises coming from your drains? Those gurgling sounds can be pretty unsettling, especially if you’re unsure what’s causing them.
The good news is gurgling drains are a fairly common problem. By understanding what’s causing the sound, you can fix the issue and enjoy a quieter home.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the world of plumbing to discover why your drains make those strange sounds.
Gurgles From Clogged Drains
When it comes to plumbing problems, a clogged drain is one of the most notorious culprits. The drainage system in a home is similar to our intestine system. When the air gets trapped, the rumbling and gurgling start!
How does air get trapped in the pipes?
When water flow is restricted through a blockage, it prevents air from passing through. As the bubbles of trapped air try to get past the water, it causes a gurgling sound.
Problems With Your Sewer Line
The sewer line is a pipe that carries sewage and wastewater from your home to your municipal sewer system. If you hear strange noises from your drains, you could have a plumbing issue with the sewer line.
Tree Roots
Although trees look lovely in your yard or garden, the truth is their roots can wreak havoc with your plumbing, especially the sewer line. Problems arise when the roots grow through your pipes, causing obstructions.
Soft patches or sink holes in your yard, together with gurgling toilets, are all common signs of tree roots in your sewer lines. Deal with these problems swiftly to prevent them from causing more damage.
Broken Pipes
Not only does a broken or cracked sewer line cause gurgling drains, but it also leads to a smelly mess. In short, when your sewer line is broken, it causes air to get into your plumbing system. As we’ve already mentioned, it’s the trapped air that causes the “burping” sound.
If you want to avoid this unpleasant symphony of sounds, it’s best to call an Adeedo professional plumber. You don’t want wastewater causing a stink around your home.
Blocked Pipe
A blocked sewer line is similar to any other blocked pipe – the trapped air bubbles through the pipe, causing the gurgle. However, a clogged sewer line can potentially cause more problems than a freshwater line.
Sewer lines are buried under the ground, meaning they’re difficult to reach. Therefore, calling a professional to access the pipes is always advisable.
Clogs are generally caused by fat and grease, paper towels or wipes flushed down the toilet or a damaged pipe. Air squeezing past the clog causes the weird sounds you hear from your drains.
Blocked Vent System
Ever tried pouring liquid out of a bottle or carton too quickly and heard the ‘glug’ sound? If your plumbing vents are blocked, you’ll hear the same noise.
Your vents are connected to every pipe in the house and vented through the roof. If blocked with leaves or twigs, the air can’t escape. So it finds the next nearest exit, namely your drains.
Damaged or Blocked P-Trap
The P-trap is the piece of curved pipe behind the sink that stops nasty odors and gasses getting into your home. But when it gets damaged or blocked, the water flows too slowly, creating a vacuum and causing gurgles.
How to Fix Your Gurgling Drains
Worried and annoyed by the gurgling sounds? You could try and solve the problem yourself with some DIY plumbing. But before grabbing your wrench, there are a couple of points to consider:
- Can you access the pipe without causing more damage to the plumbing system and putting yourself at risk?
- Do you have the knowledge, skills, and tools to carry out the work correctly? Particularly if it’s a sewer line, where harmful bacteria could be present.
Use a Drain Snake or Plunger
If you think it’s a small clog, perhaps caused by food debris or hair stuck in the drain, a plunger or drain snake might shift it.
Use a Solution of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Place boiling water down the drain, followed by a cup of baking soda and white vinegar. The effervescent effect might be enough to unblock the drain.
Call a Licensed Professional
The sensible thing to do for gurgling drains is to call in a professional. They have the skills and equipment to ensure the gurgling doesn’t turn into more significant water damage. Adeedo plumbers offer various services, including pipe and water line repair.
Say goodbye to gurgling drains. Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.
