What to Do When Your Drain Starts to Gurgle

There’s nothing quite as unsettling as going about your day, casually washing dishes or brushing your teeth, when you’re suddenly met with an eerie gurgling sound emanating from your drain. It’s like the plumbing version of a horror movie’s ominous soundtrack, putting you on edge that something sinister is afoot down there.

For those of us residing in the Chicago area’s vintage housing stock, dealing with gurgling drains is basically a rite of passage. Our city’s older homes have plenty of charming character, but those aging plumbing systems are bound to throw some curveballs eventually. Even newly built properties can fall victim to the dreaded gurgle from time to time.

While that gurgling might just seem like an annoying nuisance at first, it’s actually a serious warning sign that you shouldn’t ignore. From clogged drains to blocked vents or even a main sewer line backup, a gurgle could be the first eerie whisper that your plumbing is facing major issues. It’s time to investigate those gurgles before they turn into a real horror show of overflowing bathtubs, sinks, and sewage nightmares.

Understanding the Causes of Gurgling Drains

Okay, that gurgling drain has officially put you on high alert that something sketchy is going on with your plumbing. But before you can spring into action and silence those eerie soundtrack vibes, you need to get to the bottom of what’s actually causing all that gurgling commotion.

One of the most common culprits is just good old fashioned clogged drains. Think about all the hair, soap scum, food particles and other gunky debris that gets shoved down your sink and tub drains over time. That nasty sludge builds up, creating partial blockages that make it real hard for water to flow smoothly. As that water tries to force its way past those clogs, it starts gulping and gurgling away like your drain is doing a poor man’s impression of a bubbling brook.

Then you’ve got to consider those unsung heroes of any plumbing system – the vent pipes. These gas-venting workhorses allow air to flow smoothly so water can drain properly. But if those vents get obstructed by anything from bird nests to leaves and other debris, they can’t do their job. That blocked airflow basically creates a vacuum effect, sucking the water out of your drains and causing it to glug and gurgle as it struggles to escape.

Speaking of struggles, sometimes the real issue is a nasty blockage way down in your home’s main sewer drain line. Whether it’s a buildup of grease and gunk or even invasive tree roots that have snaked their way in, clogs in that main line create a backup that forces sewage to try and reverse course. As that sewage hits drain openings, it leads to some seriously foul gurgling sounds you don’t want to be on the receiving end of.

Last but not least, those gurgling acoustics could also just be the result of some shoddy plumbing installation work. If your drain pipes don’t have the proper slope for easy water flow or there are sagging bellies where water collects, you’re bound to get all kinds of unpleasant gurgling happening. Poorly installed plumbing is just asking for drainage issues and gurgling galore.

So in summary – clogged drains, blocked vents, main sewer clogs, and incorrect pipe slopes are basically the four common culprits of a gurgling drain. Once you can pinpoint which one might be your particular issue, you can start exploring the right tactics to get that plumbing symphony silenced once and for all.

Identifying the Source of the Gurgling

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on what kind of plumbing problems might be behind those gurgling sounds, it’s time to play Sherlock and locate the source of the ruckus. You’ll need to channel your inner detective to figure out exactly where those gurgling gremlins are stirring up trouble.

Start by making rounds and giving each drain a good hard listen – the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, even those floor drains you always forget about. Pay close attention to whether the gurgles seem isolated to one particular area or if they’re an all-over symphony. That’ll clue you in on whether you’re dealing with a single localized clog culprit or if it’s something more widespread.

Once you think you’ve identified the prime gurgling suspect, put it to the test. Grab yourself a cup or two of water and do a quick pour down the drain while your ear is tuned in close. If those gurgles instantly kick it up a few notches into a full-blown gulping galore, you’ve found ground zero. Keep an eye out for sluggish drainage or water starting to creep back up too – both are telling signs that a nasty clog is the likely saboteur.

While you’re on drain patrol, keep those peepers peeled for any other shady plumbing characters too. If you can get eyes on any exposed pipes or vent stacks, inspect them for any obstructions, cracks or damages that could be letting in air and enabling those gurgling hijinks. Don’t forget to also consider your home’s vintage – older cribs are just way more prone to developing these drainage headaches over time.

Use all the evidence to piece together where exactly those gurgling gremlins are holed up and what kind of shenanigans they’re pulling. Is it one singular drain they’ve taken hostage with a clog? Or are they running amok throughout the whole system, hinting at bigger ventilation or main sewer line issues? Cracking the case on the culprit will determine if this is a job you can DIY or if you need to call in the professional plumbing team.

DIY Solutions for Gurgling Drains

Okay, you’ve done your little Sherlock Holmes impersonation and you’re reasonably confident you’ve identified the likely culprit behind those gurgling drain theatrics. If it seems like the issue is just a localized clog or something relatively minor, it’s time to bust out the DIY unclogging arsenal before you resign yourself to scheduling the plumbers.

Plunger

For dealing with basic clogged drains, that trusty old plunger is usually your first line of attack. But don’t just start plunging away all willy-nilly – using one of those things effectively is an art form. You want to shove that rubber cup right over the drain opening to form a nice tight seal, then get a vigorous up-and-down pumping motion going. The plunger’s suction and forceful agitation can sometimes be enough to dislodge that clog and get things flowing smoothly again. 

Drain Snake 

If some elbow grease with the plunger doesn’t get the job done, you might need to bring out the big gun: the drain snake (or auger as some folks call it). This specialized tool lets you crank a long, flexible metal cable right down into the drain to physically hook and pull out whatever nastiness is causing that blockage. It ain’t pretty, but snaking a drain can be a clog’s worst nightmare.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

If you’re dealing with more of a gunky buildup situation rather than a solid clog, that’s when you break out the old baking soda and vinegar flush. Just pour about a half cup of baking soda directly down the drain, then quickly follow it with the same amount of vinegar. That’ll create an awesome fizzy chemical reaction that can help dissolve and break up all that nasty sludge. Let it sizzle away for 10-15 minutes before flushing everything out with some hot water. The baking soda and vinegar are like a powerful one-two punch against drain gunk.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

For the bravest of DIY-ers, chemical drain cleaners are another potential unclogging option on the table. These use extremely harsh, corrosive ingredients to basically eat away and dissolve whatever is clogging things up. You’ve got to be really careful with drain cleaners though – if used incorrectly, their toxic chemicals can actually damage pipes over time. Make sure you follow all product instructions to a T, use them in a well-ventilated area, and avoid letting them sit too long. Drain cleaners are handy in a pinch, but definitely not something you want to rely on regularly.

Clearing Vent Pipes

If your gurgling seems to be stemming more from potential vent pipe issues, you can try giving those a closer inspection too. Grab a ladder and carefully check all your vent pipe openings on the roof for any obstructions from leaves, nests, or other debris that could be blocking airflow. If you can safely reach the vent openings, use a plumber’s snake or auger to try clearing out any blockages yourself. For tougher vent clogs or if you just can’t access things, it’s probably wise to call in a professional vent cleaning service to make sure those lines are clear.

When to Call the Pros

And if you’ve got a nagging suspicion that gurgling is the first warning sign of a bigger sewer line clog, don’t try to be a hero. Once those main sewer drain backups start happening, it’s a job for the pros. Some signs it could be that serious include multiple drains gurgling at once, foul sewage odors, or even water and waste actually backing up out of drain openings. At that point, you’ll need specialized sewer line inspection equipment and heavy-duty augers to locate and muscle through those main clogs. Trying to DIY that is just asking for a real plumbing nightmare.

Those are some of the top DIY unclogging methods worth trying if your drains have fallen victim to some minor gurgling. Whether it’s plungers, snakes, baking soda, drain cleaners, or vent pipe rodeos – put in a solid effort to get things flowing smoothly again before you resign yourself to that plumber’s bill. But don’t let those gurgles linger for too long either. If your DIY efforts seem futile after giving it your best shot, it’s time to wave the white flag and call in the real drain-rescuing professionals.

Don’t Let Those Gurgling Drains Drive You Crazy

At the end of the day, gurgling drains are just one of those inevitable realities of homeownership – especially if you’re living in one of the Chicago area’s vintage gems. From clogged drains and blocked vents to main sewer line backups, those eerie gurgling sounds are basically your plumbing’s way of raising a little red flag that something needs attention.

Try out some of those DIY unclogging tricks like plungers, baking soda and vinegar, or snaking the drains yourself first. But if those gurgles seem to be putting up too much of a fight, don’t let them drive you crazy. That’s when you call in the trusted professionals at Precision Today. Our licensed plumbers have all the tools and know-how to quickly diagnose and silence even the most relentless gurgling before it turns into a real plumbing horror show. Keep our number handy at (630) 425-8995 for when those drains just won’t quit.