How To Answer A Gurgling Sink

Posted by Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning on September 23/2015 | 0 Comments

Have A Gurgling Sink?

A healthy home’s drainage system is nearly silent when in use, save for the sound of water flowing through its pipes. If strange sounds are produced whenever you use your sinks, bathtub, or toilet, then it’s an indication that something isn’t quite right. While the most common cause of gurgling drains is due to venting problems, that’s not always the case. There are a few reasons why your drains are gurgling, all of which require local professional assistance to repair.

In the average London, ON home, water flowing through the drains fills and seals the pipes to create a vacuum. A sink and main vent alleviate the pressure created by the vacuum, preventing its suction from gathering air into the plumbing. When these vents are damaged or clogged in any way, then the pressure created by the vacuum goes unchecked and the air is sucked in behind it. When air rushes through the standing water in your pipes, you’ll hear the tell-tale gurgle.

Gurgling Tub Or Toilet Drain?

While gurgling sinks is one thing, a gurgling tub or toilet can point to far more serious consequences. This suggests a blockage in the main vent, which is responsible for removing the build-up of sewer gasses in your drainpipes. A blockage prevents it from directing gas from your pipes to the roof, which means you’ll be able to smell sewage in your bathrooms.

There are plenty of reasons why your vents can fail. Improper installation at the time of your house’s construction can place vents too far apart to effectively relieve the vacuum. This would require extensive repairs to get your drainage system back up to Ontario code. More often, however, the calls our plumbing experts answer in Southern Ontario are due to less serious reasons. Blockages created by animal nests, debris, and sediment can easily block vents and just as easily be removed.

If it’s not your vents that are causing the gurgling, a clog could be the reason you’re hearing strange noises. A clog in your sink can sometimes contain pockets of air. Until the clog is big enough to cause a backflow, it will release the air and its bubbles moving through the standing water can create a gurgling sound. In a more severe scenario, this clog can have its origins in your sewer line, which will first present itself as gurgling before sewage back-up is pushed into your home and causes serious damage. Backflow can lead to serious health risks, as it can contaminate your house’s water supply.

What Should You Do?

Because there are so many reasons why your sink could be gurgling, we advise that you call one of our team members before you try to fix it yourself. Often times, homeowners believe that they can repair the issue themselves by pouring chemical drain cleaning agents down their sinks and bathtubs. These caustic chemicals actually do more harm than good to your pipes, as they are strong enough to damage their material. And in the case of venting problems, it will all be for nought.

Alternatively, our plumbers can assess your drainage system and determine exactly where the issue stems. Using state-of-the-art pipeline inspection technology, one of our experts can insert a small, debris-shedding camera into your pipes without disrupting or shutting down your water. Offering a full 360 degree view, this camera can reveal even the smallest damage or blockage. It can help locate and examine your valves and reveal any clogs or anything else that can cause abnormal flow conditions. Once they identify the issue, they will report back to you and suggest the appropriate repairs.

When you hear gurgling in your sinks or worse – you smell sewage in your washrooms – it’s a sign that you need professional help. Our team of licensed and experienced plumbers in the London area specialize in a variety of plumbing services, so they can identify the root cause of your gurgling sink and repair it. Should their inspection reveal any other issues threatening your drainage system, they’ll report back to you and suggest your best course of action. So before a gurgling sink becomes a bigger problem, call the professionals. We’re here to help.