How to Diagnose a Gurgling Sink | Ask This Old House

[@brianbaker359]

Demonstration using the 2 water bottles, one unvented and second vented was brilliant.

[@keeloraz9452]

see now not a word or sentence wasted. He was too the point and go to the conclusion quickly and clearly. Full thumbs up.

[@emmett3067]

If only every plumber was like Richard. Pleasant, clearly explains the issue and how things should be.

[@arvillenoe2542]

He has been that way since his very first time on this old house with Bob villa and norm now it's ask this old house still does a wonderful job with wonderful people all but Bob villa are still there

[@cn81821]

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[@jgjg3848]

@@arvillenoe2542 Everyone is awesome, but I think Tommy Silva is my favorite.

[@RexolaMazola]

First check this. I had a sink in a bar area that gurgled when i flushed a toilet in another room. The bar sink wasnt used much. It dawned on me the sink trap water had evaporated. Ran water down sink, no more gurgling. Of course, good practice is to keep water in traps as a maintenance task.

[@KateCart]

My plumber did the same thing with my unused sink trap. Poured water in it and the gurgling stopped.

[@MrSpin5808]

Literally same issue. I have a basement bathroom with a sink I haven't used in years. Added water and burping stopped. Thanks for the post bud!

[@dmartin1650]

Don't know about in the US but here in the UK we have simple anti-siphon bottle traps that effectively incorporate the air-admittance valve into the trap.

[@stephensnell1379]

Even UK sink traps will go dry over time as the water evaporates if a particular one isn't used all that much

[@AdamMargie4ever]

Now that’s a real old school plumber talking! Great video and explanation!

[@ptoughneigh8671]

Thanks

[@ryanmckenna2521]

My house was built in 1961. Currently dealing with this. Problem is I need a lot more than just a vent. The stack needs to be replaced. Toilet, tub, sink all needs compete plumbing and venting. I need a winning lottery ticket. Reality just checked in and reminded me, I'm broke on KZbin trying to self fix my problem 😂😂 Thanks for this video!

[@sandysue202]

I certainly understand looking for at least an inexpensive band aid for the problem because this house is close to 50 years old and my late husband did all the carpentry and plumbing and most of the electrical, too. This video will help me a lot with the washer draining water and causing a sink gurgle. I figure maybe $20 at my overpriced local hardware store. I need a three way elbow and a piece of screen wire instead of the little air vent thing...for now. I will get the air vent a couple paydays down the road.

[@ByersLeafguard]

Very well explained and great options for solving the problem.

[@matthewbraun6517]

Wish they would have done a real demo of the added vent piece. I had to add 3 to my house and want to know if I installed them high enough. They are above the p trap but not above the sink.

[@Bradini267]

at least 4 inches above trap is code in most cases

[@matthewbraun6517]

Thank you :D I'm in the clear then, I've got 6-8 inches at least and 2 feet on my washer.

[@fjdubya5726]

What if you get the gurgle from all the fixtures when either of two toilets is flushed (main floor and basement)...and both the toilets are also filling up precariously before going down slowly? And what if this is intermittent and only true about 60% - 70% of the time? Our dry vent to the roof connects with the main drain pipe at the ceiling of the basement just below the upstair toilet, and about 7-8 feet above the basement toilet. It seems obvious this is a ventilation problem, but I'm unsure if it's the vent to the roof or a p-trap somewhere.

[@eddieo9424]

Wow that's exactly what's going on in our bathroom . But there is a vent on a pipe under the sink. Wht to do about it ..

[@justmythoughts88]

Legal question. I live in an apartment that’s 30+ years old. I believe the drains for the kitchen sinks are linked in some way, as I get a gurgle from my sink from time to time when I’m not running water. I assume that’s from my upper neighbors draining their sinks. Is this the same illegal thing, and if so, what do I do about it?

[@Kevin_Eder]

It could be the same issue, it's also possible the vent stack is shared and clogged at a higher point preventing proper venting. You could look at your pipes and compare them to the video or try talking to the landlord about it and see if they'll send a plumber out. Local codes vary so even if it isn't how it's showed in the video it might be legal there or grandfathered in.

[@justmythoughts88]

Kevin Eder alright, thank you for the advice.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

What’s the process in unclogging a roof vent?

[@FixUntilBroken]

Basically get on the roof with the water hose and fill up the vent from the top. Be careful though, if it is clogged further down the vent, you could flood drains above the clog.

[@bpocatello]

If you're handy, you can buy/rent a sewer auger and clean your vent yourself. It involves climbing on your roof and running a rodder down the pipe. These often come in 25'-50' lengths and can be used on many of your house's drains. However, if you aren't handy, or don't like the idea of climbing onto your roof, you can hire a plumber/sewer service to do it for you. They usually aren't cheap, but far less than a hospital bill. It's also not a bad idea to periodically clean your entire service line, not just your vent. Grease, soap scum, hard water and any number of other things can contribute to a poor functioning service line. Cleaning it every few years can provide you some peace of mind. Another consideration is, putting in a back-flow preventer between the mainline and your house. These require some maintenance from the homeowner, but the potential of having your basement floor covered in sewer isn't all that great either. For most homeowners, understanding how their home's sewer and vents work is a complete mystery.

[@AlKaseltzer87]

So, my apartment has a large single basin kitchen sink with a disposal and dishwasher. A few times a day, randomly, whether I've used the sink, or any other water source for that matter, it likes to belch and I mean big manly belches that can be felt in the sink pipes, bubbling right through the p trap, and a horrible smell follows. There are a few times where it sounds like the death rattle when Jabba the Hutt died, but a lot louder and more forceful. I'm not sure if any other residents are having this issue or just me. I'm assuming there is either a blockage in the main or the vent is blocked. I don't think maintenance is competent enough to fix it themselves and I think a professional needs to come check it out. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I would greatly appreciate it.

[@elkeschmitt623]

Thank you for this explanation-we recently purchased a house-1935-and there is a problem with the washing machine when it drains-there seems to be a stand pipe and the hose is inserted into it. However, when the machine drains the water it backs up into my kitchen sink and the stand pipe is overflowing. It also makes a gurgling sound. Do you have any suggestions-thank you kindly.

[@glorymanheretosleep]

I am guessing he doesn't as he doesn't respond to these videos. It seems like the solution is the vent.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@glorymanheretosleep shall we use the tank?

[@jgjg3848]

You might want to snake the laundry drain. Sounds like you have an obstruction if water is backing up into your kitchen sink. The water can't leave quick enough via the sewer drain, so it's backing up elsewhere.

[@johnjohnderekhickerd]

Installed aav after p trap for a bathroom sink that gurgle when water would drain. It is still gurgling, should I add another aav before the trap?

[@kammiescott8648]

So went I use my bathroom sink faucet my bath tub gurgles. Can you tell me how to fix that please? Can I change the pipes under the bathroom sink?

[@Floccini]

I have a loud noise when the dishwasher drains. Is there a way to suppress that sound?

[@michaelkukura6208]

Similar to my kitchen drain and there is buildup at the horizontal section

[@leeleviner8159]

can someone explain flood level of the vanity.?

[@reggie.991]

The flood level is the top of a sink, toilet or basin, i.e its the level where water will spill over the edge of the sanitary ware.

[@leeleviner8159]

@@reggie.991 thank you

[@brandonmarlon1457]

My walls in my living room is bubbling on one side what is causing that?

[@TavenRides69]

Also when a septic tank begins to overflow, you will hear a gurgle as the water comes back up the drains

[@1806StoneHouse]

This is one of my biggest fears with our renovation project.. proper ventilation is so important. I just think plumbing is a DYI.. we will see..If anyone is looking for a weekly vlog/ renovation channel.. we’re renovating a 1806 stone house and posting weekly videos.

[@stephensnell5707]

You mean DIY

[@1806StoneHouse]

@@stephensnell5707 thanks Siri

[@diamond6256]

WHY do sink drains have ring indention around the sink that holds water so it rusts?

[@JMoney980]

I installed the AAV underneath my kitchen sink but still get a gurgling sound after I flush my toilet. No clogs before. What could it be

[@demonhunter1453]

My gurgling comes from the bathtub drain. Is it a similar situation?

[@leeleviner8159]

my opinion yes

[@80sbreaker]

Hi I live in Tijuana Mexico most places apt and hotel don't have that p trap because previous renters will always steal them when they leave to resell them , what can I do or use to stop those fumes when their is no p trap

[@rogelioaburto1403]

I flushed any in the house the hot tub gurgles, can you help me.

[@vrich5145]

I have the same problem. Did you find a solution?

[@Chalize]

I hear that sound every time i use my washing machine (UK) house

[@beebob1279]

I get a gurgle when the dishwasher or clothes washer is draining. Both seem to go to the line the kitchen sink is attached. Any concerns there? When I flush the toilets there is no gurgling.

[@qingyunified]

Have you been able to diagnose this? I have the same problem.

[@Lis.H.]

@@qingyunified I too have the same problem. Driving me nuts! haha.

[@thebeststooge]

My toilet doesn't do this nor my shower but my sink does and after it drains it will happen within 20s. I took the trap off and went as far down into the pipe in the wall as I could but found nothing wrong. I am not sure why the toilet and shower are fine but not the sink?

[@chrislynnful]

My sink is doing this. Pea trap is correct but drain goes thru wall. Not thru the floor. HELP!

[@junbaima9928]

I get brand home in Riverton Utah. All drain pipes make noises when I done using hot water. I get one video to show the problem. This video linked on my KZbin. Please give me the advise.

[@leeleviner8159]

junbai ma kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWrOaYOff7eHfqs

[@ptoughneigh8671]

OH, the elusive gurgle has touched my unknowing eardrums before

[@opentrunk]

This also explains why shooting a beer is so effective.

[@jdirt2019]

Almost every video reminds me to drink beer faster, and repeatedly.

[@JamminClemmons]

@@jdirt2019 O Boże w niebie, PROSZĘ PRZESTAŃ, nie mówisz rzeczy, których nie rozumiesz. Szatan przyjdzie po ciebie, gdy wzejdzie pełnia księżyca! To swędzenie odbytu / osła, na które cierpisz, przypisuje się infekcji pasożytniczej. Proszę częściej myć swoje brudne ja. Obecnie dostępne są miejscowe metody leczenia pasożytów. To okropne gówno powinno się wkrótce skończyć.

[@sambriggs4544]

A friend has a leak into his septic tank. He shut the water off to all three toilets. Water is still running into the septic tank. Any ideas?

[@bmaiceman]

Im my mom's house the washing machine is right next to the kitchen.... Lately when the washing machine goes into spin cycle the Kitchen sink gurgle like CRAZY!!!!! Does this suggest the main vent on the roof is BLOCKED???

[@tonipeoples9612]

Did you find a solution to your problem?

[@SamuelDaram]

Good video. Could someone explain a problem I'm having with my kitchen sink. I'm on the ground floor. And my neighbours are above me. Whenever they use their kitchen, the waste water comes down and then GURGLES back up my kitchen sink. Sometimes I might be in the living room, and I'm hearing these gurgling sounds with water rising up. What is the solution?

[@jaebird789]

SamuelDaram omg I’m here with the exact same situation. If you figure it out please come back and let me know. I’m really worried.

[@leeleviner8159]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfTk6B-oZ6ApsU or the vent stack is clogged with a dead animal.

[@leeleviner8159]

@@jaebird789 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfTk6B-oZ6ApsU or the vent stack is clogged with a dead animal.

[@thomasz4981]

Move higher!

[@lupe6379]

So I had this problem. When flushed I would hear it in the bathtub or kitchen sink. There’s no more gurgling sound. What does that mean? It fixed itself? Or made it worst?

[@stephensnell1379]

It's spelt worse

[@AdamCanFly]

Does that vent have to be as high as you can get it? I have one under my kitchen sink and it doesn't drain very well. The vent is actually below the sink.

[@FixUntilBroken]

If it is an open vent, it should vent outside through the roof. There will be a stinky gas coming out of it.

[@dennisalexander1718]

4 Inches above the P Trap is sufficient

[@dablet]

my house never made this noise before but it does now. what caused it?

[@hijinks21]

Clogged vent

[@xkaosxvpx7618]

My grandmas house we've been trying to fix for awhile now. (Its a very old house might you note) has a bad sewer smell from the sink from time to time, the toilet clogs quiet frequently, and the think you mentioned in the video, gurgling sink. I think she has the S pipe. Any suggestions what this is or any help? We have called in a plumber guy and he went to the outside toilet pipe and pulled out twigs. And used a giant toilet snake. I just dont know what to do. This house is old. Sorry if I dont use the correct terms, I'm only 13 :)

[@stephensnell1379]

It's spelt quite

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

We going to use the paperclip?

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@stephensnell1379 or the broken paperclip?

[@tomn.9879]

Great video.

[@hola-munecas]

My washer makes the kitchen sink bubble whenever it drains. I noticed the sink has one of those little vents you showed at the end. Could this problem be a vent issue or something else?

[@eliaspedraza8494]

Did you ever find out what was wrong? I am having the problem thank you.

[@carultch]

@@eliaspedraza8494 Mechanical vents do require replacements from time to time, which is why it is common that they are not legal for new construction. The home owner may not know to check them, and if the vent gets stuck, you end up with an unvented drain, that is a fire hazard due to the sewer gas. Most jurisdictions only allow those mechanical vents on retrofits, or correcting an existing unvented trap. So this means you should check that your mechanical vent is functioning properly. Try filling the sink with water and seeing if it drains smoothly like it should, or if it gurgles like a drain with an S-trap. Also check that the vent can freely move as needed

[@MikeTheMaker1]

"I flushed the toilet and said grab the camera" This video could have gone in a very different direction fast.

[@MassTunes]

lmao!!!

[@iamthemastermind]

What if you have the correct trap and you still are getting a gurgling sound? Trying to diagnose someone else's house. I'm not a plumber, but she has never had this problem before until recently. Could something be clogging the pipe going to the roof, like perhaps a bird or something that may have fallen in there. She said she is noticing a sewer gas smell as well, but only briefly when it is gurgling.

[@heatherwarner865]

This is what is happening in my house too. We've had A LOT of rain this week, so I'm hoping that is part of the issue with the sewer system.

[@carultch]

It sounds like the vent is clogged, making your proper P-traps act as if they are S-traps.

[@grammie8190]

All I hear is air flowing in the bathroom sink drain where I live. When my air conditioner comes on I can really hear it

[@billyfoster3223]

Excellent!😁🔧

[@cattigereyes1]

Good information!

[@ptoughneigh8671]

thank you

[@cdphotography2]

So what could be the problem if the gurgling sounds just starts after 15 years, which is how long I have been in my home.

[@keysthefreshman2696]

Your stack might be clogged, your vent can get clogged from atop the roof with debris, leaves, even small animals trying to hide during the winter. It would be worth it to go up on the roof and see if it is anything obvious right on top. If not, you can run a drain camera down the pipe

[@DarkHorseWhisperer]

What if I live on the second floor of a 30 story building and I get this type of gurgle in my kitchen sink?

[@nathanaelbennett8917]

8 months later... Plunge the sink. If that doesn't work tape off all other drains so that theyre air tight, and plunge the sink again.

[@RainCloudAmericaWorldwide]

Well, I have a P trap, and my kitchen sink gurgle A LOT and every time I run water!

[@Lifewithfurrybabies]

Thank you。 Sir

[@estradaortegajosefrancisco3821]

Good

[@michaelrs8010]

Two questions. 1. I'm doing a DYI van build. Would an S trap be good enough for a simple grey water receptacle directly under the sink. My goal would be that if the five gallon grey water tank had to sit for a few days just to prevent any smelly stuff from coming back up to the sink. 2. Just for the discussion, let's say that the trap area normally holds 12 oz of water. After you're done washing your dishes or your hands or whatever, could you just wait a few seconds and then drop 12 oz of water down the sink to make sure the trap is still full of water in case it was pulled out from the previous usage?

[@keysthefreshman2696]

For number 1, the whole purpose of the trap is to prevent sewer gases from coming back up the drain. If it is connected to the sanitary sewer in any way, it will have to be a p-trap. Any other scenario, s-trap is fine. For number 2, Technically yes, that would serve the same purpose. It's tedious and time consuming, but at the same token, if it's not connected to a sanitary sewer like I said in the previous answer, then it doesn't matter if the trap is filled because you have no sewer gas to trap

[@michaelrs8010]

@@keysthefreshman2696 well, the reason I'm asking is, some people who have built those type of things in there Vans, where it goes directly to a X-gallon jug under the sink as a gray water tank, have said that it sometimes gets a little stinky over a few days time if you're not constantly emptying it and rinsing it out with fresh water. I'm not trying to increase the longevity to the maximum amount of time I can go before I empty a stinky tank (some sort of jug really), but I don't want to have to do it every day either just to keep any potential odor down if I'm not really using that much water down the sink. So I'm just trying to figure out the most simple method to keep some sort of rancid smell in the tank until such time as I do empty it. And if a simple S trap won't do it...I'm obviously not going to run a full vent pipe up through a van, so I imagine I would just get a air admittance valve. But all these pipes are going to be rather small in diameter and I don't know if they make those cheater valves to such a scale. Plus, that seems like an awful lot of Plumbing for what the apparatus is going to end up being.

[@joezer64]

I tested one of the sinks in my house and it gurgled so it means it’s not vented

[@leeleviner8159]

correct

[@diamondseraph9369]

I have a similar problem with one of the showers at my house...I just had to tell my mom that it was making demon noises again...

[@zoomingby]

0:17 Yeah, definitely the guy should be talking while playing audio of what the gurgling sounds like. That's good production right there folks.

[@Dave-tw9ib]

i live in a basement apartment my kitchen keeps gurgling driving me nuts in on the bottom of the stack 2 above no vent from the 3rd floor up nothing i cant do anything building is 1938 all the plumbing is garbage, can't move rent is 1000 a mth for 1 bedroom

[@MassDynamic]

so...if a sink or toilet doesnt get used for a long time....there's a chance that sewer gas is coming up?

[@nova31337]

if the water in the trap has evaporated, yes

[@carultch]

Yes. If you plan on not using a drain for a while, a good practice would be to plug the drain with a rubber plug, or disconnect the drain piping and cap it. Or, periodically water the drain, like you would with a houseplant.

[@KINGBOSS08-mmk]

Is it a problem if you drain water in your kitchen sink and the drain on the other side of the sink gurgles?

[@leeleviner8159]

kingboss08 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZanfZp-nricedk

[@2101kurly]

I have gurgling coming from my kitchen sink when my washing machine drains where do I look to put the vent?

[@tonipeoples9612]

Justin Spellman did you find a fix to your problem?

[@morehunterlol7767]

Best rich is the best Plummer for life

[@Nefferrug]

Plumber*

[@kcuhc84]

Christopher is the best plummer.

[@georgeschlaline6057]

A full what trap?

[@stephensnell1379]

A FULL S TRAP. RICHARD MENTIONS FULL S TRAPS ARE ABSOLUTELY ILLEGAL IN THE STATES. THE P TRAP IS THE CORRECT TRAP TO HAVE.

[@ptoughneigh8671]

@@stephensnell1379 AMEN BROTHER

[@cn81821]

如何診斷解決一個去水 【U型隔汽、杯型隔汽】 發出（咕嚕咕嚕）聲音。 裝上單向進氣閥解決發出（咕嚕咕嚕）聲音的方案， 解決【U型隔氣、杯型隔汽】内的聚水被抽空問題： kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZanfZp-nricedk How to Install an Oatey Sure Vent Air Admittance Valve kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJfFnJRpe9ech7s How to Drain and Vent a Bathroom Sink | Ask This Old House kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpmwoGB-fppppbs

[@ptoughneigh8671]

s-trap wrong, p-trap proper

[@karlschuneman7960]

but what if there is a vent??? no explanation. Thanks

[@carultch]

The vent could be clogged, and need to be plunged or snaked from the rooftop.

[@DadSoyousay]

I flush the toilet and I get a big bubble out of the bowl and the toilet flushes twice. What is it?

[@ptoughneigh8671]

Sewer Nazis

[@KansasJohn20]

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[@BarbD55]

But our toilet is not causing our kitchen sink to make the noise. It's only after we use water in the sink

[@GrandTheft60116]

S Trap INCORRECT P Trap Correct

[@KansasJohn20]

Its actually S-TRAP wrong p-trap proper. Learn your kevin O'Conner.

[@ptoughneigh8671]

Actually.... it's S-trap WRONG, P-trap PROPER. Learn your Kevin O'Connor moments

[@glorymanheretosleep]

So a gurgling sound like that doesn't mean the main sewer line is clogged?

[@carultch]

Correct. The issue is that the gas that fills the pipe when it isn't carrying drain water, needs to be pushed out of the way to accept the drain water. By default, if it isn't vented, it will push the gas up through the water you are trying to drain. The gas is sewer gas, which can be a fire hazard and can stink. So it isn't harmless.