That weird gurgling sound in your pipes is not a peculiarity in your pipework. Those mysterious bubbling noises are actually your pipes communicating something to you. Understanding the causes of pipe gurgling and when to act can save you costly repairs and stinky plumbing problems in the future.
Why Do Pipes Gurgle?
Blocked Drain Pipes
The most common reason for the occurrence of gurgling pipes is a clogged drain somewhere within your system. When water tries to flow through a partially clogged pipe, it sucks in air through the drain because of the negative pressure. It’s the air movement that’s causing this gurgling sound you hear.
Food bits, hair, scum, and other debris build up in your pipes as time goes by. A very small clog will hinder the free flow of water and set the stage for gurgling. Kitchen sinks are most susceptible due to grease and food particles, and bathroom drains are susceptible due to hair and soap scum.
Blocked Vent Pipes
Your home plumbing system depends on vent pipes to provide the air pressure and unobstructed flow of drain it requires. Vents reach as high as the top of your roof and can become clogged with leaves, nests, dirt, or snow in winter.
If you have plugged vent pipes, your system isn’t equalising pressure like it’s supposed to. So the air seeks a different route, usually taking in air from the other drains around it and making that gurgling sound. You’ll hear it most noticeably in bathrooms with several fixtures all on one vent system.
Sewer Line Issues
More serious gurgling problems are more apt to be caused by issues with your primary sewer line. Roots of trees in search of water may infiltrate and block sewer pipes, and movement of the soil or older pipes cause line breakage and collapse.
Sewer line problems affect more than one fixture in your home simultaneously. More than one drain gurgling at the same time, especially with slow draining or horrible odours, is a bigger problem that must be inspected by professionals like Mainline Plumbing & Civil in Dubbo.
Basic Do-It-Yourself Troubleshooting Steps
Start with Basic Cleaning
Begin by clearing visible debris from problem drains and drain gratings. Use hot water in the drain to dissolve soap scum and minor clogs. In the kitchen, avoid the temptation to pour grease down the drain, a highly prevalent cause of clogged drain problems.
You can also use a drain plunger. The suction should be tight enough to clear small obstructions that are causing the gurgling sounds. Plug overflow holes with a damp rag in an effort to get a good suction.
Inspect Outside Vents
If you are able to do so without risk, you can go ahead and inspect your roof vents manually for obstruction like leaves or debris. Don’t, however, climb onto your roof if you’re not comfortable doing this, as this is risky.
Contacting a Professional
Try not to attempt do-it-yourself repairs on gurgling followed by sewer smells, water running into fixtures, or multiple drains gurgling at the same time. These are probably symptoms of serious problems that to fix safely require professional equipment and expertise.
Recurring gurgling that won’t go away even after regular cleaning processes must also be taken care of with the assistance of experts. Professional plumbers use equipment such as drain cameras and hydro jetters that can detect as well as get rid of persistent clogs without inflicting any harm to your pipes.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
Gurgling pipes are not only annoying, but also an early warning sign for plumbing problems. They can be repaired early to prevent more serious problems like burst pipes, water damage, or failure of the drainage system. If unsure, a visit to a professional plumber will, in the long run, save time, money, and hassle.