A common concern we hear from homeowners is that they hear gurgling or burping noises coming from their pipes. This is actually fairly common. It’s not a major issue, but it should be addressed.
The noise is due to water trying to leave the system and the air venting that permits this – is not functioning properly. The venting system is either blocked or if you are in a new home, it may not have been installed correctly in the first place.
Where and when you hear gurgling can give you a clue as to where the issue lies. If you hear it in from your sink, you may want to examine the sink vents. If you hear gurgling after draining a bathtub or flushing a toilet, you may want to look at the entire venting system. We recommend a certified plumber for this.
The actual reason for the noise is because once water is ejected down a pipe, it pushes air forward, out of the way. This creates a vacuum at the tail end of the water flow. Air must be allowed to fill that vacuum in a sufficient amount of time – without slowing the flow of water. If venting is blocked then air will be drawn from wherever it can find it. This means from your sink or a p-trap etc. The air moving to fill the vacuum squeezes past the water by way of bubbles – rather than a smooth column of air normally provided from your venting.
If the venting blockage is sufficient enough, you may find that you are having to clear waste blockages more often. If water is not flowing correctly, you will not be evacuating the system properly and buildups can occur.
If you have concerns about your venting, give Chasles Plumbing Professionals a call (519) 240-0077.