my toilet bubbles when flushed. should I be worried?A bubbling sound coming from your toilet can be unsettling, especially if you don’t know how or why your toilet would be making that noise.

Sometimes the sound can come when the toilet’s been flushed.

Other times, you may here it when you run a tap or shower.

And still, sometimes there may be no clear reason for the gurgling to start.

So what does this mean? And what can you do about it? We’ve thrown together this handy guide of things to be on the lookout for when you hear gurgling and bubble sounds coming from your toilet.

How Does This Happen?

Generally, bubbling in your toilet can be caused by one of two things.

  • Clogged Sewer Line
    • If you’re someone who likes to use that extra piece of toilet paper, you may want to reconsider doing so. Too much toilet paper at once can lead to serious clogs in your system, among other things.
    • Feminine products, toys, wet wipes, cotton balls, and other things not meant to go down the drain can all build up clogs in your pipes.
    • Clogs cause negative air pressure to occur within your pipes, which causes the gurgling sound you hear.
  • Blocked Sewer Vent Stack
    • On the opposite side of your sewer system, up on your roof, is the vent stack, which allows air to come into the pipes for smooth flow of waste water out of your house.
    • When this vent gets blocked, it reduces the airflow allowed through your system, which creates negative pressure that prevents water from flowing properly.

What Can I Do About It?

If it’s your sewer line you need to deal with, the first and simplest solution is to use your plunger. Every house should have one, and if you don’t then what’s wrong with you? Go out, buy a plunger, and use it on your toilet to try and pull out whatever the clog may be.

On the other hand, if your vent stack is blocked, you’ll have to take a few more steps to getting it fixed. You’ll need to get a ladder and go up on your roof. Once there, find the vent stack and check if it looks clogged. Have your hose handy, because if it is, rinsing off the vent, then pouring water down the pipe can be an easy way to flush the pipes of whatever may be blocking it.

If neither of these solutions are helpful to you, try talking to your neighbors to see if they are experiencing a similar issue. If they are, the problem may be with the sewer main line and not in your home. This should be something of a relief, as it usually takes the financial burden of repairs off of you and drops it squarely on the city’s shoulders.

If at the end of all of these, if you still can’t find a rhyme or reason for the gurgling and bubbling noises, it may be time to call a professional.

Why not give Simpson Plumbing a call? We can have the issue diagnosed and fixed quick and easy, and get you back to your daily, gurgle-free life. So, if you’re in need of a professional plumber in Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, Discovery Bay, or another city in our service area, make sure to reach out to Simpson Plumbing today.