A gurgling sound from your toilet bowl every time you flush it is abnormal; you should not ignore it, says Century 21 Northstar. It is alright for your toilet to make some routine sounds when you flush it, but this will normally be the sound of water washing into and out of the bowl.
On the other hand, if you hear a gurgling sound, that is abnormal. Gurgling sounds from a toilet happen when there is trapped air somewhere inside the pipes connected to the toilet. When you flush the toilet, this trapped air is displaced by the water rushing into the pipes.
Not having anywhere to go inside the drainpipes, the air pushes back against the water. Because air is lighter than water, the trapped air can rise to the surface of the onrushing water and eventually make its way out of the drainpipes through your toilet bowl.
That is the cause of the gurgling sound you hear, and it should not be overlooked. Several problems can interrupt the smooth flow of air through your drain lines. Here, we will discuss these different issues, their impact on your plumbing, and what to do about them.
Why does your toilet make gurgling sounds?
A clog in the drain line
A blockage in your drain line could prevent the free flow of air through the pipe. This results in a buildup of negative pressure within the line that only becomes obvious when you flush the toilet. Neglecting this problem could make your toilet backup. If the clog is minor, you can free the line by plunging the toilet. If this doesn’t solve your problem, you need a professional plumber to inspect the toilet.
The toilet is clogged
It is possible that the toilet is not draining when it is flushed. There is also a chance that the problem is due to a non-biodegradable item dumped into the toilet. If other drains in the home are working, try probing the toilet drain with a drain snake or auger to dislodge any clog inside the line. If this doesn’t work, call a plumber. To prevent future problems, don’t dispose of things like sanitary products, wipes, or other non-biodegradable items in your toilet.
A blocked vent stack
The vent stack is a vertical pipe leading from your drain line to the roof of your house. Its purpose is to control air pressure within the pipes by providing a pathway for air to escape. This pipe is meant to be an open channel at all times. If it becomes blocked, the air pressure inside the drain line will be unbalanced, and air will push backward through the drain opening. That is not a problem you can fix yourself. Get a plumber to check your vent stack.
Your mainline is clogged
The mainline is the large pipe that connects your home to the city sewer line. It is sometimes called the main sewer line. If this line is clogged, one of the signs you will see in your home is a toilet that makes gurgling sounds. Mainline clogs affect every drain in your home (some more than others). To solve this problem, have a professional plumber perform a sewer camera inspection to diagnose the issue. To clear the line, it may be necessary to clean it using hydro-jetting or sewer rodding.
Your toilet is damaged
A cracked or malfunctioning toilet bowl or tank can cause excess air to get into the toilet water. A leak in the pipe directly connected to the toilet drain can also cause this problem. To check if your toilet bowl is damaged, get a plumber to inspect it. Inspecting a toilet for this kind of problem is not hard, but you must know the signs to look for; that is why it is a good idea to let a professional plumber do it.
The sewer drain line backflow preventer is broken
This device is usually installed at the point where wastewater exits your home to prevent sewer water from flowing backward. If the backflow preventer is damaged, you will have a toilet that gurgles when flushed and sewage odors inside your home. Finding the location of your backflow preventer is difficult without the help of a professional plumber. If the device is broken, it should be replaced.
To conclude, problems like strange gurgling sounds from your toilet and other issues in your home’s plumbing system can be prevented if you have a program for inspecting and maintaining your plumbing system on a schedule.
Regular inspections and routine drain cleaning (done at least once a year) will expose the issues in your drain lines at the early stages and help you reduce the rate of wear and tear on the system.