Whenever you flush your toilet, you hear a strange gurgling sound… but not from the toilet itself. After a bit of sleuthing, you’ve discovered that the culprit is your bathtub drain. 

Gurgling bathtub drains are a common problem, but why do they happen? Should you be worried? 

Greenstar are specialists at diagnosing and fixing plumbing faults of all types. In this guide, we cover all the possible causes of a gurgling bathtub drain, what you can do to fix it, and when you should call in the help of a professional. 

 

What Are the Causes of a Gurgling Bathtub Drain?

 

There are a number of reasons your bathtub drain may be gurgling, but most stem from a pipe blockage. This can be caused by a buildup of waste, mineral residue from hard water, or objects lodged in the pipe. Read our guide to find out other warning signs of a blockage. 

The two most common causes of a gurgling drain are: 

 

Air Trapped in Vent 

 

Vent pipes maintain proper air pressure by letting air enter the plumbing system. The pipes extend from the drain up through the roof, transferring wastewater and odour away from the house. 

Gurgling can occur if the vents become clogged. When air cannot escape through vents, it forces itself through the drains. The resulting difference in pressure causes gurgling.

 

Problems with the P-Trap 

 

P-Traps are curved sections of pipe fixed under toilets, showers, bathtubs, and sinks. They’re used to trap water and prevent sewer gases from rising through the drain and into your room. Whenever you use your bath, running water flushes out and replaces the old water. 

Problems with gurgling can arise if a sudden flow of water inside the pipe - such as when a toilet is flushed - creates a positive pressure that causes wastewater to back up in a drainage system. This can force water and air bubbles up the drain, resulting in that tell-tale gurgling sound.

 

How Do You Fix a Gurgling Bathtub Drain?

 

There are a few different techniques you can try to stop your bathtub drain from gurgling. You may be able to sort out simple blockages yourself, but more serious cases will require expert assistance.

 

Plunge the Toilet

 

Ever-reliable, a plunger may be enough to solve your problem.  

Although you could get straight to plunging, it’s better to cover all drains with something airtight first - duct tape works best. This makes sure all the force stays within the pipe. 

Align the head of the plunger with the toilet bowl and pump it for several minutes. Once you feel confident enough (or when your arms are too sore to continue), remove the plunger and flush the toilet. If there’s no gurgling sound, congrats! 

If the gurgling continues, plunge the toilet for a few more minutes, then flush again. 

Still no luck? You’ll need to try a different tactic.

 

Clear the Vents 

 

This method is trickier, as it requires climbing up on the roof. You’ll need a tall, sturdy ladder and someone to hold it while you climb. 

Working on a roof can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have proper training or safety equipment. Don’t put yourself at risk - if you’re not 100% confident, call a professional. They’ll have the tools and expertise to carry out the unblocking quickly and safely. 

If you do climb up, examine the vent. It will probably have a screen or mesh covering it to stop branches and leaves from falling in. If the mesh is clogged with debris, clear it and get someone to check if the gurgling has stopped. 

If it hasn’t, you’ll need to use something to unclog the vent itself. A garden hose may do the job, but don’t use too much water at once. This could flood the roof and damage the ceiling underneath. Pour in water a little at a time, gradually increasing the pressure until the blockage is cleared. 

Alternatively, you could use a drain auger or ‘snake’. Lower the cable bit-by-bit until you hit the blockage, then turn the handle. This will push the head through and hopefully clear the blockage. Remove the cable and pour more water in to fully clean the pipe. 

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your drains are still gurgling, the blockage is likely too big or far down for you to clear. It’s time to call in a professional!

 

Why Choose Greenstar to Clear Your Drains? 

 

Greenstar are the leading plumbing specialists in Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. With years of experience in all aspects of plumbing, we can take care of your drain blockage quickly and professionally. 

Our blockage solutions cover all bases, including CCTV for surveying drains, deep cleaning and unblocking, and even drain repairs. We offer 24/7 emergency call-outs and will work to resolve the issue within 2 hours max. 

Thanks to our fixed rate pricing and high level of skill, you’ll be more than happy with the end result. 

For expert plumbers you can rely on, call us on 01202 355344 today!