Have you ever been washing your hands in the bathroom, only to hear… gurgle, gurgle. Sometimes the strange noises are ghosts, other times it’s the plumbing trying to get your attention. And it could be a warning that you don’t want to ignore.
What Is That Gurgling Sound, Anyway?
That gurgling sound isn’t actually the drain. It’s air. Normally, water flows down a drain and through the pipes smoothly. The vent system allows air to keep everything moving. But if something’s gone wrong, you get air bubbles trapped in the system. And that’s when the gurgling starts.
It’s kind of like when you tip a bottle of water upside down and it glug-glug-glugs its way out. That’s sorta what’s happening to your pipes. But this poor flow could suggest a worse underlying problem which that’s affecting your home plumbing.
Common Causes of Gurgling Drains in Rockhampton Homes
Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of gurgling drains;
1. Blocked Drain or Partial Clog
This is a very common culprit. Over time, things like food scraps, hair, grease, and soap scum build up inside your pipes. Because the water can’t move freely, air gets trapped behind the blockage. So, the air escapes the only way it can and gurgles its way out.
Local Tip: If you live in Rockhampton and your home uses a septic system (instead of being connected to the town sewer), then blockages in your plumbing can be a bigger problem than usual. If the main pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the septic tank becomes clogged, everything stops flowing properly. That waste water which you wanted to get rid of, then can flow back into your house.
2. Blocked Vent Pipes
A lot of people don’t even realise their plumbing has vents. These vents help allow water to flow through the pipes and prevent it from draining slowly. Most importantly, they stop a vacuum from being created so that water can keep moving. A sign of this poor water flow is gurgling sounds coming from your drains.
3. Sewer Line Issues
If the gurgling is happening across your whole house (more than just one sink), it can be a problem with the sewer line.
In Rockhampton, plants like the native gum tree can have their roots grow into sewer pipes and cause blockages. Once roots crack through a pipe, they start growing inside it. This not only slows down the flow but also causes those gurgling sounds.
This is one cause of sewer line issues. But if you do have a tree root growing inside your sewer line, then a local plumber should be called for the job. It’s not exactly something that can be solved DIY.
4. Poor Plumbing Design
Sometimes, it’s not a clog. It’s just poor design. In places like toilets, poor plumbing design can lead to these gurgling sounds. An experienced plumber should be able to identify the problem and work towards a solution.
Gurgling isn’t just your drain’s stomach rumbling. It’s trying to tell you something. It can be beneficial to find out what’s going on before it escalates even worse.
If you’re worried about the gurgling in your drains, we’d be happy to help. Just apply for a free, no obligation quote today.
Let’s make plumbing something you’re proud of!
Plumbers Rockhampton 
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