Why Is My Toilet Bubbling? 3 Causes And What To Do

 

Have you noticed that your toilet or toilets are bubbling? This problem is easy to ignore as long as your toilets are still flushing properly. But what you likely will soon experience is that your toilets become stopped up, and next your tubs may become slow to drain. 

 

So what’s happening? Well your toilet bubbling is an indicator of a larger plumbing problem and when left unattended, it can become worse. So let’s look at a few common causes of this issue, as well as what can be done to remedy it and prevent it from happening again in the future. 

 

Why Is My Toilet Bubbling When The Shower Is Running? 

 

 

Many people will notice that their toilet only starts bubbling while the shower is running. There are three primary causes for this. 

 

1. Your Drain Is Blocked

 

If there is something blocking your drain pipes, it can cause your toilet to bubble. If your toilet is bubbling but still flushing properly, it may mean that your drain pipe is only partially blocked. If you go to flush your toilet and it begins to back up or overflow, it likely means that your drain pipe is completely clogged. There can be many causes for a blocked drain such as:

 

• Soap Residue
• Hair
• “Flushable” wipes
• Grease, Oil, or Fat

 

2. Your Sewer Line Is Blocked

 

There’s a main sewer line that runs underneath your home and is connected to your toilet’s drain pipe. The sewer line is critical because it’s the line that carries all of your waste to a septic tank or your city sewer line. If you have multiple toilets and/or tubs that are clogged or slow to drain, there’s a good chance that your sewer line is blocked. This can be caused by:

 

• The pipes being corroded or deteriorating
• Tree roots growing into your pipes
• The pipes are broken
• The pipes are clogged with flushable wipes or other materials

 

3. Your Vent Stack Is Blocked 

 

Your vent stack plays an important role in your home’s plumbing system by protecting the system from developing pressure imbalances that can interfere with proper functioning. The pipe allows air to move in and out as water runs through the pipes, preventing any negative effects from changing water flow levels. 

 

The vent stack also helps to reduce sewer gas from building up within the system. When your vent stack becomes blocked, air and gasses are not properly vented out and are forced to exit through other pathways, such as your toilet. This is what causes the bubbling. Your vent stack may be blocked by leaves or other debris. 

 

What To Do: Contact A Plumber

 

 

The issues we’ve discussed here are not a DIY fix; you’ll need to seek the help of a professional plumber. They can identify where the source of the problem is and then take steps to unblock your pipes, sewer line, or vent stack. In many cases it will require them to use special tools. 

 

Afterwards, you can take preventative measures to prevent this problem from occurring again, such as avoiding putting the substance we’ve listed in this article down your drains, as well as adding a protective screen to cover your vent stack. 

If you’re currently experiencing this plumbing issue, contact Newman’s Plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services and will send one of our certified technicians out to quickly assess the situation and get your plumbing back in working order. Call us now at 757-465-0883.