Call Champion Plumbing at (405) 889-1318 to resolve your bubbling toilet.
It’s not normal to hear your toilet gurgle while you’re taking a shower. If you have ever wondered why your toilet bubbles when the shower is running, you’re not alone.
A bubbling toilet could be a sign of a much bigger problem with your plumbing.
As the #1 plumbing company in Choctaw, OK, Champion Plumbing answers: “Why is my toilet bubbling when the shower is running?”
What Causes My Toilet to Bubble?
A plumbing system is a network of pipes and vents that use air pressure to move water. Water feed pipes provide fresh water to your sinks, showers, and toilets. Waste drain pipes connect back to the main sewer line to remove waste from your home.
These two sets of pipes provide water to and from your appliances, including your toilet and shower. Water moves from the feed pipe to the appliance when you activate the water line. The drain then carries that water out of your system. All appliances that use water have a system of incoming and outgoing water.
Maintaining air pressure is key to a functioning plumbing system. When pipes or vents become clogged or damaged, they create negative air pressure.
Negative air pressure causes a toilet to bubble when the shower is running. The negative pressure pushes air back through your plumbing, causing the bubbling sound you hear. Over time, this bubbling can become more frequent and lead to more serious issues.
The following issues can disrupt the air pressure in your system. You should call a plumbing company immediately if you notice them.
Blocked Vent Stack
A vent stack is a pipe that runs to the roof of your home and lets out sewer gases. The vent brings air into the drain line to maintain air pressure in your plumbing system.
Without fresh air coming in, your toilet’s “p-trap” will drain completely. The “p-trap” holds standing water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering your home.
Insects, leaves, or other debris can clog your vent pipe. Most modern vents feature a protective cover to prevent this, but no vent stack is completely immune to buildup.
If you notice toilet water draining slowly and bubbling, you may have a blocked vent stack.
Blocked Plumbing Line
A clogged plumbing line affects the air pressure balance in your system. If foreign objects or buildup form a clog, you need to remove it.
You may be able to remove blockages in the plumbing line using a household plunger and following up with a snake, but call a plumber for severe or recurring clogs.
Sediment Buildup
Your system can become clogged due to sediment buildup in the tank. Sediment can build up due to hard water or minerals, such as iron and magnesium, in your water.
A water filtration system in your plumbing system can reduce sediment buildup. If you do not filter your water, a plumber can remove the buildup from your tank.
Faulty Flapper or Cistern
If the flapper in your toilet’s cistern is defective, it can lead to bubbling. Installing a new flapper is an easy repair to do yourself.
The cistern is more complicated to repair. If changing the flapper does not solve the problem, call a plumber to have them diagnose the issue.
Clogged Sewer Line
The city’s sewer line attaches to a drain pipe and leads wastewater away from your home. A clog in this line will affect all households it services. If many homes on the same street have issues, the sewer line may need an inspection. Check with your neighbors to see if they are also experiencing issues.
Drain pipes from sinks and showers can also clog, leading to issues in only your home.
The water department in your city should repair issues with the sewer line or drain pipe. If you suspect the issue is affecting more than one household, call your local water department.
Plumbing Installation Issues
Missing vents or other installation mistakes can cause problems with your plumbing. If your home or bathroom is new, have the plumbing inspected to ensure it’s up to code.
How to Fix a Bubbling Toilet
If you are wondering, “Why is my toilet bubbling when the shower is running?” you’re probably also wondering how to fix it. You should always call professional plumbers to handle serious maintenance. Below are several steps you can take before calling.
Identify Affected Toilets
A minor clog only affects one toilet; you can likely solve it by plunging. More than one toilet experiencing issues could mean bigger issues with your plumbing.
Rule Out Clogs
Plunge the affected toilet, and snake your shower’s drain to rule out clogs. If these septic system maintenance tips don’t fix the problem, try sealing your shower drains and plunging again.
Sealing the drain helps build pressure to release the difficult blockage. You can place duct tape over each drain, then plunge the toilet.
Check Your Vent Stack
Inspect the vent stack on your roof. Even if your home has more than one bathroom, it may only have one vent stack. Multiple vent stacks mean the rooms are vented separately, so check all vent stacks while you’re on your roof.
Use a flashlight to check your vent stack. Remove any clogs you find near the top using a thin tool.
If the clog is not visible, clear the rest of the vent using a water hose to pour water down the stack. The water will wash away through the sewer system.
If you can’t resolve the problem yourself, it’s time to call the professionals.
Call Champion Plumbing Today!
Now you have an answer to the question, “Why is my toilet bubbling when the shower is running?”
Tired of your bubbling toilet? Wondering why your toilet smells like sewage? Give Champion Plumbing a call now. We offer same-day service and are available when you need us.
Trust our team to remove clogs, clear vent stacks, and quiet your noisy toilet. Our certified technicians use the best equipment available and service all toilet models.
Call (405) 889-1318 or book online to schedule service.
