Why Does My Toilet Gurgle When I Shower?
The plumbing system is crucial to maintain a healthy house. However, it is also one of the most overlooked technologies that are used daily. Your plumbing infrastructure is similar to your body’s arteries and veins. Water pipes are used to pump water through your house so appliances like toilets and other fixtures can work. However, the pipes also collect waste that is then disposed of through separate pipes called drains.
These lines connect to the point where your appliances and plumbing fixtures are. These lines can be thought of as bridges, which connect the two systems and do not contaminate the water supply. You can activate the water line by turning on a faucet. The water will then flow into the drain line. Every appliance that uses water has a system for inflow and outflow.
You have a blockage if your toilet gurgles while you are in the shower. Your toilet and shower will most likely share a drain pipe and vent stack. This setup is known as wet venting. If the line or stack is clogged or blocked, air will be forced up or down your toilet, causing the gurgling sound you hear.
Let’s start by talking about wet venting. This will give you more information on why your toilet is gurgling when you shower. Do you prefer a plumber to solve your problem now? You are not the only one! We’re available for drain clearing 24/7.
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What makes your plumbing system work?
Although plumbing may appear complicated, it is actually very simple. There are many components to the system, and they all follow very simple physical laws.
Your plumbing is made up of:
- Water supply pipes
- Waste drain pipes
- The gas and air plumbing vent
That’s it!
You can add to the system fixtures that handle water and waste (sinks. toilets. dishwashers. garbage disposals.
What is the Physics of Plumbing?
- Gravity
- Water pressure
- Air pressure
Although none of these things are rocket science, it can be difficult to maintain a functioning household plumbing system. It is much easier to repair problems when they occur if you know a little bit about gravity, water, and air.
Wet venting
Drains are normally vented separately. However, if they are near enough (like in your bathroom), they can be vented through a pipe that serves as the drain for another fixture.
This image shows the toilet, sink, and bathtub draining to one mainline and venting through one main vent. If there is a blockage in this line (either the drain pipe or the vent pipe), the air is either pushed or sucked into the fixture.
Both will be explained in greater detail below. Let’s start with the clogged drain.
Clogged sewer drain
The gurgling sound could be caused by a blockage in the drain.
- 1. Air forced out: The water flows down the pipe when you turn on your shower, pushing out any air trapped in it. This can happen if your pipes are blocked. This air can get trapped if it has no other place to go.
- 2. Air infiltration: A clog can cause water to flow from the shower to the drain, creating a vacuum. This vacuum effect can cause a gurgling sound by sucking air through the toilet trap.
A gurgling toilet can be a nuisance but it could lead to bigger problems like damaged pipes. It should be repaired as soon as possible.
How to unclog your drains
It can be difficult to unclog your sewer drains or pipes. If done wrong, it could cause more damage or worsen your pipes. To unclog your sewer pipes, we recommend calling a plumber.
Blocked vent stack
Your bathroom fixtures will likely be connected to one vent stack, as we have already mentioned. Vent stacks are used to:
- Keep your home smelling fresh by removing sewer gases and odors
- To maintain the proper atmospheric pressure, bring fresh air to your plumbing system (which will help water drain smoothly).
Vent stacks aren’t supposed to carry water but they are an essential part of your plumbing system. Negative pressure can build up in your pipes and interrupt water flow if your vent stack becomes blocked.
Also, a blocked vent stack could trap air inside your pipes. Instead of venting out, the air is forced through other routes (such as your toilet), creating the gurgling sound you hear.
How to unblock your vent stack
You will need to climb safely onto the roof in order to remove a blockage from your vent stack. You should call a plumber if this is something that you are unable to do or are uncertain of.
- Find your vent stack. Your main vent stack should be located on the roof above your toilet.
- Clear any visible blockages. You may find debris, such as leaves or trash, at the top of your vent stack. This debris can be easily removed and thrown away. If the blockage persists, contact a plumber.
Smiley Tip: To prevent any future blockages, you can cover the vent stack with a protective screen.
Drainage system was not installed correctly
This problem may occur in a newly built house or bathroom addition. A portion of the vent running horizontally or any other incorrect installation. Get the work of a professional plumber checked before you proceed.
Are you ready to take a relaxing shower? Hire the best drain cleaning company in New Jersey!
Smiley Drain plumbers are available 24 hours a day for emergency service. They will assess the problem and then repair it promptly.