Many people complain that they hear a gurgling sound after flushing the toilet from the bathtub. It occurs due to clogging in the common waste pipe systems.
Why Does My Bathtub Gurgle When I Flush the Toilet? Bathtub gurgles when you flush the toilet because of clogged, improperly installed, damaged, and narrow pipes, absence of P-traps, clogged vent pipes, and a rusted and corroded plumbing system.
The entrapped air in the plumbing system produces a gurgling sound and disturbs people’s sleep. The issue comes due to the pressure difference in the incoming air and water.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Clog in the common waste pipe | Use a plunger and chemical cleaners |
| Improperly installed plumbing lines | Hire an expert for reinstallation |
| Narrow pipes | Use toilet auger |
| Clogged vent pipes | Use vent cover and unclog with a garden hose |
| Absence of P-traps | Call the plumber for an inspection |
| Rusted or corroded plumbing system | Replace metal pipes with PVC ones |
Clog in the common waste pipe
Bathtubs, sinks, and toilets are connected with a common draining system to remove waste. However, these do not contain any device or process that allows water movement.
The water moves forward in these pipes through a gravity system. Sometimes, the clogging in common waste pipes cause blocking in the movement of water.
The air also entraps in the plumbing system due to the clogging of common waste pipes. It can create a vacuum, and you can hear the gurgling sound from the trapped air bubbles.
The clogging in pipes comes due to shaving in bathtubs. The hair cannot get dissolved and can block the lines. Moreover, the issue also comes due to soap scum and other foreign particles.
In addition, people also flush the tissue paper or toilet tissues in the draining system. However, some of these toilet papers are thicker and cannot move forward, blocking the system.
These tissues are not dissolvable and cause hindrances in water and gas movement.
Use the plunger and toilet hanger to unclog the waste materials. You can also use commercial chemical cleaners if this equipment is not helpful in unclogging.
Improperly installed plumbing lines
The gurgling sound from the bathtub comes from the poorly installed or damaged plumbing system. The air cannot move outside into the vent pipes and cause suction.
The air comes into the drains of tubs when you flush the toilets rather than escaping from the vent pipes. The incorrectly connected plumbing lines cause this problem and make people worried.
In addition, the plumbing system can also get damaged, allowing the unwanted air to move into the lines with water and causing suction in connected systems.
The plumbing system can get damaged when it becomes old and have less strength. In addition, incorrect use of plunging and unclogging equipment can produce cracks in the pipes.
The issue comes from using harsh chemical-based cleaners to remove the clogs from the drains. The frequent use of these cleaners damages plastic or metal pipes.
Call the mechanic to inspect the plumbing system. However, it is better to call an expert plumber who can install the system correctly without causing further damage.
Narrow drain pipes
You can hear the uneven gurgle noise from the bathtubs because of the narrow drain pipes. The narrow pipes cannot bear the water pressure, and air moves into the nearby fixtures.
After flushing, air movement toward the bathtub produces an uneven sound from the fixtures. Some people do not know about the plumbing system’s pipe size and install smaller and narrower ones.
It occurs when you do not call a mechanic for an inspection or know enough about their size and installation. In addition, solid waste can also stick to plumbing pipes and make them narrower.
Solid waste becomes harder with time and decreases the passage of pipes for water movement.
It decreases the diameter of the pipes rather than making them clogged. These cannot bear the water pressure when you flush the toilet because of their smaller diameter.
The issue also comes when tissues cannot move through these narrow pipes and block them. You can use a plunger because of its small size.
Using a toilet auger is best in this situation because of its elongated wires, and you can push them deeper into the pipes for unclogging purposes.
Clogged vent pipes
The vent system is present within your home’s plumbing system for smooth water movement. The primary purpose of these vent pipes is to remove the off and sewer gasses from the plumbing system.
The main plumbing vents are on the roof to remove gasses odor. However, these can easily get clogged, and air cannot move outside and remains entrapped in the system.
The entrapped air produces gurgling noise when flushing because of pressure build-up in the plumbing lines. In addition, the dust and dirt from the roofs can easily enter these holes and clog them.
In addition, the chances of blockage increase when trees are present in a nearby location. The dry leaves can enter them and block air’s in and out movement.
The birds can sometimes make their nest on the opening side and block them. You can also feel the smell of stinky sewer gasses from your toilets because these try to escape from other fixtures.
Climb the roof to unclog the vents using a plumber’s snake and garden hose. It is necessary to trim the trees in a nearby location.
Moreover, you can also use the vent caps to stop the entry of dirt, debris, and dry leaves.
Absence of P-traps
The P-traps are present in toilets and another system to keep the sewer gasses down. You can see the water in the toilet drains that helps suppress the sewer gasses.
The standing water has more gravity and weight than the moving air in the plumbing system. The water can keep these gasses down and prevent the foul smells in your bathrooms.
The bathtubs do not contain these p-traps, and you can hear the gurgling sound because of the upward movement of air from the system.
The entrapped gasses try to move towards the other bathroom fixtures when you press the flush handle for water movement.
The air moves freely and produces uneven sounds when bathtubs are not equipped with P-traps. In addition, some of these fixtures contain the p-traps, which are faulty.
These are old and damaged and can easily allow the air to move upward. It is better to call the plumber for an inspection of p-traps.
Rusted or corroded plumbing system
Cast iron pipes are used in the plumbing system during the old days. These pipes can corrode easily, making the waste material stick to their surface.
Moreover, the corrosion of iron pipes occurs due to the use of harsh chemicals for cleaning and unclogging. The diameter of these cast iron pipes decreases when waste materials bind to their surface.
It becomes difficult for the water to move through them, and it can create pressure. You can hear the gurgling noise from the bathtubs when entrapped air moves through these fixtures.
You cannot use cleaning solutions because it worsens the corrosion procedure. Investing some money and replacing the cast iron pipes with plastic or PVC ones that are not vulnerable to corrosion is better.
You cannot reinstall the plumbing system, and hiring a mechanic for the correct installation is better.
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