When it comes to home ownership and tackling the occasional damaged appliance, leak, or broken window, there is one issue that seems to be the most frustrating to deal with than all the rest: problems with your toilet and/or plumbing system. While the bathroom is not the most glamorous room in your home, it's perhaps used the most. When a problem arises in your abode, it can be incredibly nerve-racking.
One of the most common problems people have has to do with their toilet. Have you ever wondered, "Why is my toilet bubbling?" or "Why does my toilet keep clogging?" or "Is this a normal sound, or is my toilet crying out for help?" Unfortunately, a toilet bubbling, and gurgling is a cry for help. Below, we'll go over some reasons that lead to a toilet bubbling, what you can do to fix or prevent a problem, and when to call your trusted plumber.
Why is My Toilet Bubbling?
Bubbling and gurgling coming from your toilet is never normal and is a symptom of a bigger problem. The bubbles you see and the gurgling you hear come from negative air pressure in the drainpipes, which means you have a clog somewhere. When water can't flow freely, it pushes back, which is what causes the bubbling and gurgling.
What Causes My Pipes to Clog?
Whether your toilet keeps clogging or not, bubbles and gurgling mean there's a blockage in your pipes. The leading causes of blocked pipes are:
1. A clogged toilet
This is the most prominent problem and is easy to spot. If your toilet isn't flushing correctly and there's leftover toilet paper and waste in the toilet bowl, try waiting a few minutes to see if the toilet will drain on its own. You can and should also try giving it a few strong plunges to push the waste material down and get the toilet flowing again. If your toilet clogs frequently, it could be time for a new toilet.
2. A drain line is clogged
Another cause of bubbling and gurgling could be that your drain line is blocked. The drain line is the line of plumbing that leads wastewater from your home to the mainline or sewer line. Some things that can cause a drain line to become blocked are tree roots growing into the line, large items such as toys flushed down the toilet, or a buildup of debris. The best way to deal with a drain line clog is to snake the line yourself, but it's also a good idea to call a plumber. They can snake the line and use a camera to see the blockage. Hiring a professional is always a good idea as you don't want to risk damaging your pipes and making the problem worse.
3. The mainline or sewer line is clogged
The mainline or sewer line is the individual line that takes the wastewater and sewage from your home to a collected municipal area. To figure out if this is the cause, note how many toilets in your home are affected. If every toilet is bubbling and gurgling, then it's likely that you have a mainline clog. You probably just have a drain line clogged if only one room is affected. A mainline clog is a much bigger problem and requires a professional.
4. The vent stack is blocked
The vent stack is a pipe that travels up from your plumbing system through your roof. Its function prevents sewage gas from building up in your home and keeps your lines flowing. To check if the vent stack is blocked requires a roof investigation. We also suggest hiring a professional to do this as walking around on your roof is hazardous, and you can damage your roof and hurt yourself.
Can a Gurgling Toilet Fix Itself?
While trying the old 'wait and see' method of fixing a problem may be tempting, a gurgling toilet won't just fix itself. The longer you wait to address the problem, the worse it can get.
If your toilet keeps clogging or your toilet is bubbling or gurgling, contact us at Stahl Plumbing today! Our professional team can diagnose and repair your problem, day, or night.