Ever heard gurgling drains echoing through your home? It’s an annoying sound – there’s no doubt about that – but it’s also a warning. All that bubbling, gurgling, glugging noise isn’t your pipes chatting to one another – it’s air trapped in your plumbing, fighting hard to escape!
No matter where you are, it’s a problem. But where it’s more humid or more storm-prone, gurgling drains are super common – and give you a sign of definite trouble brewing.
In our exclusive guide, we dive right into:
- What gurgling drains mean
- And 6 targeted steps to quiet them down!
In the process, we’ll keep your home’s plumbing in check. So – let’s get started:
Why gurgling drains happen
A gurgling drain isn’t random – it’s just physics doing its thing! Why? Because when water is flowing unevenly through your pipes, any trapped air gets pushed and shoved around, creating that telltale gurgling, guggling noise.
In places like Brisbane, where the wet seasons dump hundreds of millimetres of the wet stuff in single months, plumbing systems get hopefully backed up. The old, clay pipes make things worse, but any pipe whatsoever – no matter the age of your home or plumbing – can be a victim:
- Poor venting
- Grease build-up
- Partial clogs.
All of the above combines to turn a silent, normally-operating drain into a drain making gurgling noise headaches! Tempted to just ignore it? Well, then get prepared for the underlying, bigger issues, like drain backups or excessive sewer pressure.
Stressing out? Chill out – because here’s how to fix it:
6 steps to silence the drain gurgling
We’ve put a lot of thought (and decades of combined experience) into these 6 steps to tackle drains gurgling head-on. We’ve come up with the most practical fixes you can try all by yourself at home. And if you’re dealing with other sorts of clogs or plumbing problems, don’t stress – what you read below is crafted very carefully for that gurgling, guggling, distinctive drain sound that indicates that something WRONG is brewing beneath that sink or drain:
1. Check the sink trap
A blocked P-trap under your sink traps the air, making a gurgling drain as that water struggles as hard as it can to work its way through.
HOW TO FIX IT:
- Place a bucket under the sink
- Unscrew the trap (put your gloves on!)
- Unblock your sink drain by clearing out the gunk, hair, grease and all that other stuff.
- Rinse it
- Reattach
- Test.
This can be the gurgling drain fix you’ve been looking for – tackling it right at the source.
2. Flush with hot water
Grease, gunk, or soap scum in the plumbing lines will obviously slows water – letting the inevitable air in the system bubble up. It’s super common in the most humid kitchens!
HOW TO FIX IT:
- Pour a kettle of hot (not boiling!) water down the drain.
- Add a squirt of dish soap first, if it’s a sink.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes
- And now flush!
It sounds simple, but it’s a home remedy for gurgling sink problems that really works – and the results will be instant.
3. Plunge the problem
A partial clog – things like too many food scraps or storm-induced silt – interrupts the flow of water and waste, causing drain gurgling as the air inevitably sneaks its way past the gross stuff.
HOW TO FIX IT:
- Grab a plunger
- Seal it over the drain
- Pump 10-15 times with as much force as you can muster.
If it’s a sink, just make sure the overflow hole is covered with a rag upfront.
4. Clear the vent stack
A clogged roof vent, all blocked because of an accumulation of leaves, bird nest debris and more, will stop the air from escaping. Believe it or not, a problem as obscure-sounding as this can be the cause of all drains in house gurgling – explaining your struggle to find the cause.
HOW TO FIX IT:
- You’ll need to (safely!) climb up to the roof with a ladder.
- Don’t forget your torch!
- Check the vent pipe (usually near the roof ridge)
- Pull out the debris with your hand (put on your gloves)
- Or perhaps use the garden hose.
Once the airflow is restored, the gurgling will be gone.
5. Snake the line
Debris deeper into the pipe – like tree roots or a devastating build-up of debris – will certainly narrow the flow of the water. That trapped air causes gurgling drains.
HOW TO FIX IT:
- Feed an affordable drain snake – from the local hardware store – into the drain.
- Twist until you hit resistance
- Pull back all that mess.
- Flush with water.
It’s hands-on, but it can really help to stop the gurgle.
6. Test the overflow relief gully
A blocked overflow relief gully (ORG) can definitely back up sewer air – and that can be the source of every drain making gurgling noise, believe it or not.
HOW TO FIX IT:
- Find the grate near your foundation
- Lift it up (and use your gloves!)
- Scoop out the leaves, silt, gunk and all the gross stuff.
- Hose it all down.
In places (like yours!) that are flood-prone, this will help keep the sewer pressure from bubbling and gurgling up – inside your valuable home!
When to call in the Pros
All of these DIY fixes work really well to silence most gurgling drain headaches. But, if the gurgling keeps gurgling, or if that annoying sound turns into a room full of backed-up water or waste, we’ve moved beyond mere DIY. Cracked pipes, sewer line clogs, venting issues and more probably need expertise with years of experience and professionals with all the latest industry-grade equipment to diagnose and heal your headache.
That said, our 6 exclusive steps have given you enough know-how to (hopefully!) hush the drains gurgling at your place. But if you simply can’t silence that gurgling drain, Brisbane Drain Cleaning is a 24/7 team that can fix gurgling drains fast. Reach out today and we’ll provide the affordable solution.
