While blowing bubbles is fun and cute, watching your toilet make bubbles is not so great. If your toilet is bubbling and making gurgling sounds, it is most likely due to a problem with your plumbing system. Whether it is a minor clog or an issue with your municipal sewer line, consider a toilet repair service as soon as you identify the issue. Here are some causes of those notorious bubbles and how to fix them.
The Main Cause of Gurgles and Bubbles
Toilet clogs cause negative air pressure to push air back, which produces the gurgling noises. The main cause of the gurgling sound is a blocked line in your plumbing. Gurgles and bubbles can be signs of a toilet clog, a blocked vent or a municipal sewer line clog.
Toilet or Drain Line is Clogged
Regular toilet clogs are usually a result of a weak flushing system. However, they can also occur if you flush down objects or materials that should not go down the pipes. Some of these items include:
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Feminine Products
- “Flushable” Wipes
- Cigarette Butts
The quick solution to most clogs is a plunger, which is a tool accessible to most homeowners. A great tip that can help unclog your toilet is to seal off all nearby drains, such as tubs or sinks. Try to plunge at least 10 times.
If this does not work, try using a sewer snake on tougher clogs. There are mechanical or manual snakes that are ideal for specific situations. Manual snakes tend to work better when the clog is near the drain hole. With the mechanical snake, you should check the size of your drain hole prior to usage to make sure that the plunger’s head properly fits through the hole.
Vent Pipe is Blocked
American toilets have vent pipes that lead to the roof to help control your toilet’s air pressure. Signs of a blocked vent can include bubbles or a foul sewer odor coming from your drain. The most common causes of a blockage are debris in the pipe or even small animal carcasses. In some rarer cases, you may even find a bird’s nest blocking the pipe.
To fix this, you can carefully climb onto your roof and use tools such as a garden hose or a wired hanger to dislodge the objects blocking the vent. However, you must be careful to not hurt yourself during this process. If the blockage is too dangerous to remove, we suggest calling your local plumber to dislodge it.
Municipal Sewer Line Clog
In some cases, the municipal sewer line, the line that leads waste away from your house, is the problem. In this situation, the town is responsible for fixing this clog – not you. If you suspect a municipal line clog to be the cause of your plumbing issues, ask your neighbors if they are experiencing common issues. If they are experiencing similar issues with their plumbing, contact your township or water company as soon as possible.
For more information on your plumbing system, contact Gotelli Plumbing. Here, we guarantee you will find the best San Rafael plumber service and prices.
