Why are my drains gurgling?

Question

Recently the drains in the bathroom and kitchen of our recently purchased 1940's house have begun making bubbling and gurgling sounds just after the water leaves. The drain works fine, perhaps a tiny bit slow, but it sounds like there is some air or something down there. Is this something I can safely ignore or does it needs some preventative maintenance? There is no backwash or anything like that, just 10 seconds or so of gurgling at the end of the draining process.

Answer 1

Ok, it could be roots in your "system", or, it could be a clogged vent to the roof.

Go up on the roof and look down into the vent, (use a flashlight), and see if you can see any obstruction. Then, have some one go to the basement and take the cap off the clean out and stick thier hands in there, (with a glove on if you want), and see if they can see the light coming from the roof, if so, then you know its clear, and that its further on down the line...

Bathroom sinks may have a hair clog, but, you can see that when you look into the drain...(It catches on the tines of the trap in the sink).

Since its happening in both traps, I would suspect its in the lines.. Try using draino down there a few times a month for cleaning purposes and if that doesnt help some, then you may want to rent a "snake" and shove it down there to see if there is any root obstruction....(Send a "point" down there first, and if you get "mud" back, then you know its either roots, or a collapsed pipe). If its roots, a root cutter will clear the obstruction. If its a collapsed pipe, then the root cutter will get "stuck" and you will have to call a contractor to fix the sewer line, unless you are "really" handy and want to dig up your yard and basement..(depending on how much "line" you put down there and where its headed).

I would also get a "signal generator" to put on the metal line and follow it, so that you "know" were your sewer line goes..(sure is handy to have one, it only cost about 30 bucks at an electrical supply store), and you will not be dissapointed by getting one...

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 2

There are so many good comments here but I also wanted to add my two cents. If you have plastic plumbing be careful when and if you use Draino, Liquid Plumber or any other commercial drain clearing liquid. Over time this can eat away at your plumbing.
I have this problem in my bathroom and find that if I use a solution made from vinegar and baking soda once a month it clears my drains and keeps the gurgling away. After you dump this down your drain let it sit for one half hour and then follow that with a few cups over very hot or boiling water. It also takes care of any bad orders that a drain can get over time.

Answer 3

Our House was Built in 1880 & we had the same problem come to find out one of our pipes had a tiny hole in it & the gurgling kept up for almost 6 months cause we thought it was hair or air & the pipe bursted we had to go between the walls & replace a 3 foot pipe cause the pipe bursted & we got flooded out on our 1st floor thank god it was an easy fix.Good Luck

Answer 4

you've got a blockage developing , whether it be by roots from trees and shrubs . it could even be that the drain has collapsed , in them old days vcp ( vitreous clay pipes ) were in demand and that combined with the only way to seal them ( sand and cement ) would leave the door open for age and deterioration , which in turn will give you the headache of trying to fix the problem .
you will need to get a professional in to help you out with this --- there is no easy fix . good luck

Answer 5

you have a venting problem an old house like that was probably not vented correctly so when it's draining it's sucking for air and that's your gurgling noise... check the vent going through the roof for any obstructions

Answer 6

That is probably a hair clog,the remaining water rushing through the opening gurgles.

Answer 7

we had that problem but it was caused by roots growing into the pipes.