If your kitchen sink is trying to sing you the blues every time you do laundry? The issue of a gurgling sink while your washing machine drains can feel disconcerting, but rest assured, it is fixable. There are several potential causes of this issue, making it difficult to pinpoint, but we will review each one in this article.
From vent blockages to clogged drains, we will explore the impact of each cause and provide actionable solutions for you to employ. It is essential to understand the “why” behind gurgling before addressing this issue so that you don’t waste time addressing an underlying cause that isn’t there.
Understanding the Gurgling Sound
The gurgling sound in plumbing can be a sign of imbalance in air pressure within the pipes. This is usually attributed to venting issues, as plumbing systems rely on the tight management of water flow and air pressure. To provide an analogy, it’s like pouring water from a jug into a narrow-necked bottle. If there is now ay for air to escape the bottle, water will pour down slowly, as the trapped air acts as a block against water.
Washing machines are powerful and can disrupt the balance with a sudden burst of water. When the washing machine releases water into the drainage system at a high flow rate, the pipes are filled quickly, needing to release displaced air. Those air pockets cause the gurgling sound, as if the plumbing system is trying to breathe the wrong way.
Common Causes
First, let’s dive into the common causes of sink gurgling when the washing machine is on. Fortunately, many of these can be addressed by homeowners.
Clogged Drain Lines
If your vent is installed properly and the plumbing appears to work, something may be wrong with the vent itself. The gurgling noise that comes from your sink might be directly related to the sink vent blockage.
When water from the washing machine rushes down the drain, air will be pushed inside of the vent. Since the vent is clogged, the air will find its way up to the sink drain. Blockages can occur from collections of hair, grease, and debris, restricting water flow and creating air pressure imbalances. Common clog locations include sink drains, washing machine drain hoses, and main sewer lines. P-traps are an especially common clog culprit.
Vent Blockages
Blocked vents, due to leaves, nests, and debris, can disrupt airflow and cause suction. Vent pipes prevent sewer gas from entering the home, so addressing this issue is incredibly important. In order to identify potential vent blockages, you should look for the vent pipe on the roof and probe it to see if it is blocked.
Improperly Installed Plumbing
The first thing that might cause your sink to gurgle is poor installation of the sink vent. If the sink drain uses 1 ½ inch drain pipes, the sink vent must be installed at least 3 ½ feet from the bottom of the trap.
If that’s not the case, the vent won’t be able to pump out enough air and that will create a pressure difference inside your plumbing system. The washing machine will release water under huge pressure and the vent won’t be able to regulate that pressure so the sink will gurgle.
When the vent is installed farther than 3 ½ feet from the bottom trap, there will be a vacuum effect developing inside your drain pipes. This vacuum effect will cause your sink to gurgle since it will push the air through the sink drain. To note, older homes may have outdated plumbing systems and might be more prone to issues.
Shared Plumbing Issues
Sharing a vent or drain pipe with other fixtures (like the washing machine) increases your risk for problems. Each fixture adds to the system’s demands for venting and can disrupt the balance of air and water flow. Issues like unequal flow and competing air needs can cause gurgling. If you notice gurgling in other fixtures, or a slow and inconsistent drain, you can assume that multiple fixtures share the same drain pipe.
Sewer Line Problems
A main sewer line blockage can affect multiple drains in the house by preventing wastewater from all household drains from exiting into the public sewer system. Warning signs for a sewer line problem include slow drains in other areas, gurgling in toilets, or sewage backup.
Troubleshooting and Fixes
Now that we’ve reviewed the common causes of sink gurgling, we are going to review different solution types. We will cover DIY solutions, the right time to call a plumbing professional, and preventative steps that you can take to minimize this issue.
DIY Solutions
First, you may want to check and clean the sink drain. If you wish to use a plunger, first seal the overflow hole, then add water, position your plunger, and plunge! Alternatively, you can use baking soda and vinegar to dislodge clocks. Dump ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drain, and add ½ a cup of white vinegar. The chemical reaction can break up clogs through fizzing. Lastly, a drain snake can be used in these situations, too, to break up clogs.
Next, inspect the washing machine drain hose. To check for kinks, clogs, or improper connections, by disconnecting the hose and running water through it, clearing out any buildup. Also, it’s important to check the P-trap, which is usually under your sink. Then, place a bucket under the P-trap, loosen the slip nuts, and remove the P-trap for cleaning.
Remember, when employing any of these methods, wear gloves and utilize buckets to maximize safety.
When to Call a Plumber
If you have persistent gurgling despite DIY efforts, it might be time to call a plumber. Additionally, if you suspect vent blockages or plumbing issues, as well as see signs of sewer line problems (four odors), get a professional involved. Situations like water damage, suspected pipe leaks, or lack of DIY skills can all be reasons for calling in a professional plumber.
Preventive Measures
So, what preventative measures can you take to ensure that this issue does not keep coming up? Regularly clean your drains with one of the above methods, such as with baking soda and vinegar. Avoid pouring grease or hair down the drain, as that is a recipe for clogs. It can be a good idea to install drain strainers to catch hair and debris, if this is a recurring problem. Finally, schedule periodic plumbing inspections to validate that your system is working properly.
Conclusion
The most important takeaway of this guide is this: gurgling sinks are often a solvable problem. You can try DIY solutions at first, such as cleaning your sink drains and checking the p-trap, but it is important to call for professional help when needed. Don’t let a gurgling sink disturb your laundry room flow – take action and enjoy the sound of silence!
