There are a lot of people who have asked, “Why is my toilet bubbling when the shower is running?”. People may find this noise scary, but it’s actually a sign of a plumbing problem that needs professional help. When it comes to preventing a plumbing disaster, it is necessary to find the cause as soon as possible. It might be a small blockage or a bigger issue. It may seem like a little inconvenience. But you shouldn’t ignore this because it usually indicates a more serious plumbing problem. You may need to check for clogs or pressure imbalances if you hear gurgling sounds coming from the toilet. There are also problems with your main sewer line.
The most common cause of toilet gurgling is a clogged shower floor drain. You may find it on the wall between the bathroom toilet and shower drain. If there is a clog, the air gets stuck in places like the P-trap under the floor. As a result, you can hear the annoying blowing sound. Most of the time, this clog is near the bathroom floor drain. Clogged floor drains are another potential issue. Clogged shower floor drains cause backflow because water drains slowly. You can avoid water damage and expensive repairs in the future by learning about the causes and how to fix them. This blog post will talk about the primary causes of why toilets bubble and practical ways to fix them.
I. What Does a Bubbling Toilet Mean?
The pushing air into the toilet bowl can cause it to bubble. It makes a sound like blowing or gurgling. If you have a running shower, you might notice noise because the two fixtures share a drainage system. The toilet gurgling shows a plumbing pipe problem affecting water and airflow. Most of the time, water and waste move through the lines without any problems. The system has a vent stack that allows air to escape from the plumbing. But air can get stuck in the system if there is a clog or bad airflow. The trapped air moves toward the toilet bowl when shower water runs through the lines. This is a warning sign for possible plumbing issues. The problem may turn into a more serious issue if it is not fixed. You may experience slow drainage, regular blockages, bad odors, or sewage backups.
II. What Causes a Gurgling Toilet during a Shower & How to Fix It
What is causing my toilet to bubble while the shower is running? This toilet gurgling problem might be a sign of other basic plumbing system problems. You can tell if you need a pro or if you can fix it yourself by learning about the common causes. Here are the main causes of toilet bubbling:
1. Vent blockage
A blocked vent is one of the most popular reasons for toilet bubbling. Vent pipes are part of your water system. They go through your roof and let air into the pipes. It helps in controlling the pressure inside your pipes. A clogged vent pipe generates a vacuum, which leads to irregular water flow. This is the cause of the gurgling sounds coming from the toilet.
How to fix it
You should check the roof vent for clear blockages to ensure your plumbing system is working right. These clogs in pipes or bathroom floor drains can stop air flow and cause drainage problems or toilet gurgling. You can use a plumber’s snake to remove any little clogs you find. You can also hire a professional plumber to repair the vent in the event of damage.
2. Clogged floor drains
Clogged floor drain lines are another major reason why toilets are bubbling while showers are running. Clogged shower floor drains make it difficult for water to flow freely and can be caused by trash, grease, hair, and other items. This clog might cause your toilet to bubble by creating an air back up. There are times when the clog is very far down the floor drain. This makes it more difficult to clear with standard home techniques.
How to fix it
You must clear any blocks in the toilet, or nearby bathroom floor drains with a plunger. A plunger or plumbing snake can reach deeper into the drain line and clear out the clog. If you are still having trouble after trying these solutions, it may be time to call a plumber. They completely clean the pipes using techniques like hydro-jetting.
3. Sewer line problems
If you have bigger plumbing problems, your toilet might bubble when the shower is running. A sewer line problem could be the cause of your toilet bubbling. Your sewer line takes trash from your home and sends it to the city sewer system. If this line gets clogged or broken, wastewater can’t move as it should. Because of this, water and air will flow back into your toilet. This can cause the toilet to bubble, gurgle, or even overflow.
How to fix it
It’s best to call a professional plumber who can use a camera to find the problem. Hydro-jetting is usually used to clear clogs in sewer lines. Also, scheduling regular checks can help find problems early on and keep your sewer lines working properly.
4. Pressure problems in your plumbing system
If your toilet is bubbling, it could be because of low flow in the plumbing system. Stable water pressure is essential for the proper flow of water through the plumbing. When the water flow changes, air can get stuck in the pipes. Your toilet will gurgle or bubble because of it. Clogged floor drains can also cause problems with the water’s natural flow and lower pressure.
How to fix it
The first step is to look for any visible leaks in your water lines and fix them immediately to get the pressure back to normal. If you think your floor drain is clogged, you can use the above methods to clear it out or call a plumber for help. It is also important to get your water meter and pressure regulator inspected by a professional.
III. FAQs
Q1: How do you resolve negative air pressure in a toilet?
The most important thing is to know that clogs in the lines cause negative pressure. This pressure shows up in the pipes that carry waste and airflow. A plunger is the quickest and easiest tool to fix this problem in your toilet. You must use a toilet plunger that fits the entire opening.
Q2: What to do if you find the cause of toilet bubbling?
If you have any of these problems along with a noisy toilet, you need to fix the problem right away. If you don’t pay attention to these signs, water damage could get worse and cost a lot to fix. You need the help of a professional plumber to find the root cause and fix it properly.
Q3: How can I stop the air sound when flushing the toilet?
You might try cleaning the fill valve if you think the gurgling sound is being caused by mineral buildup. It is recommended that you cut off the water pressure and flush your toilet to clear the bowl. Then, you take out the fill valve and put it in a vinegar-and-water mixture to get rid of the mineral buildup.
IV. Conclusion
You might think a toilet gurgling in the shower is just a little trouble. But it usually means there’s a plumbing problem that needs to be fixed. You can prevent future issues by understanding the causes and solutions. In many cases, you can fix the problem with very basic do-it-yourself techniques. You can also call a plumber for constant or complex problems. You can make your bathroom peaceful again with a little care.
Your floor drains will continue to operate smoothly for many years to come. “Why does my toilet bubbling when the shower is running?” has an easy answer: a vent or drain blockage. Your sewer line or low water pressure may be the cause of this issue as well. You should also install high-quality bathroom floor drains and a plumbing system. Yzdrain has a lot of different shower floor drains for you to choose from. We provide you with high-quality stainless steel floor drains.
