5 Reasons You Need to Address Gurgling Drains Immediately
5 Reasons You Need to Address Gurgling Drains Immediately
Why Gurgling Drains Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Gurgling drains usually present as bubbling, glugging, or strange sounds when water flows down your sinks, tubs, or toilets. If you just hear the odd sound or two and then everything sounds fine, then it’s possibly harmless. However, if you’re hearing frequent gurgling sounds, this indicates a deeper issue.
These sounds can be connected to septic system problems, plumbing blockages, or ventilation issues, and these issues need to be addressed by a professional– trust us: it’ll help to avoid bigger, more expensive repairs down the road.
Reason #1: Gurgling Drains Can Signal a Blockage
How Blockages Cause Gurgling
When water can’t move freely through pipes, air can get trapped, which can be signalled by gurgling drains. These blockages may come from grease buildup, food particles, hair, or foreign objects– and they shouldn’t be ignored.
Risks of Leaving It Alone
Blockages only get worse the longer you leave them. They’ll slow your drains down even more than they already may be, and they can result in complete clogs. The added pressure on the pipes is another reason to get a professional out to look at your gurgling drains, because this buildup can cause damage. Regular gurgling is basically your first warning sign before a full backup.
Reason #2: Gurgling Could Mean Septic System Trouble
Septic Tank Capacity Issues
Sometimes gurgling drains are a sign that your septic system is nearing capacity. If your tank is too full, the wastewater can’t flow properly.
Drain Field Problems
A gurgling drain could also be a sign of a saturated or a failing drain field. If the fields are saturated or not functioning properly, this can push air and water back into the household pipes, causing the gurgling.
Why This Matters
Septic system repairs can run to thousands of dollars, which is a lot more expensive than preventative care. Gurgling drains are often an early warning from your septic system that it is failing, or needs repair, and one that no homeowner should ignore.
Reason #3: Gurgling May Indicate Venting Issues
Role of Vent Pipes
Your plumbing vent pipes release sewer gases and allow air to flow, which balances pressure in the system. If there’s a problem with these vents, such as them being blocked by leaves, debris– even bird nests– then the water struggles to drain smoothly, and you’ll probably notice gurgling drains.
Warning Signs
If you notice gurgling noises alongside foul odors, or your toilets flushing weakly, this is a warning sign that your vent pipes are clogged. This, again, is something that requires immediate professional attention, because it can cause dangerous sewer gases to enter the home.
Why Prompt Action Is Key
The good news? If you catch them early, venting issues can be relatively simple to fix. It’s when they’re left unresolved that they can escalate into health and plumbing hazards.
If you suspect that your vent pipes may be blocked, don’t leave it for another day. Call FreeFlow Environmental now to get a professional, local team to help you fix the issue.
Reason #4: Gurgling Drains Can Lead to Costly Damage
Escalating Plumbing Problems
Small gurgles can become big clogs, pipe leaks, or backups. These water pressure issues can then cause damage to the joints or fixtures, so it’s important to get to the issue behind your gurgling drain before it costs you a lot more in damages.
Home and Property Risks
A sewage backup can damage your floors, your walls, your furniture, and your belongings. Contaminated water cleanup can get pretty expensive, and then you have to also pay for professional restoration.
Financial Impact
Any minor fixes– such as drain cleaning or septic pumping–costs a lot less than the repairs a professional will need to tackle after a complete system failure. Consider gurgling drains your cheap early warning, and when you notice it, you should move fast to nip it in the bud before it costs a lot more.
Reason #5: Gurgling Is a Health and Safety Hazard
Sewer Gas Exposure
Gurgling drains can indicate that gases aren’t venting properly, which is more than expensive: it’s a safety hazard. Sewer gases contain methane and hydrogen sulfide, which can be harmful to your health if you breathe them in.
Standing Water and Sewage Backups
If you ignore gurgling drains, they can lead to sewage backing up into sinks, tubs, or basements. We probably don’t need to tell you that’s a bad sign. Standing sewage carries bacteria that can harm you and your family’s health– you should never ignore gurgling drains in case this happens.
How Professionals Diagnose Gurgling Drains
A professional, like any of our licensed and insured team at FreeFlow Environmental, will be able to diagnose and fix the cause of your gurgling drains. They’ll inspect the drains and pipes for obvious clogs, check your septic system for capacity, blockages, or drain field issues, and inspect your pipe vents to ensure proper airflow. They’ll then use professional equipment necessary to provide you with lasting, effective repairs and maintenance solutions.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore Gurgling Drains
There are 5 really good reasons why you should never ignore gurgling drains; they could be signs of blockages, septic system problems, venting issues, expensive damage, and health hazards. Basically, gurgling drains are your early warning system for bigger issues.
Quick action will help you save money and prevent emergencies, so don’t ignore your gurgling drains for another day! Get in touch with our team at FreeFlow Environmental today! Our licensed and insured plumbers can give you quick, safe, solutions that last.
