Don’t Ignore the Noise: When to Call for a Plumbing Repair

Do your drains talk to you, making gurgling or bubbling noises? For your information, drains rarely have anything good to say. These noises happen when wastewater and air mix together, an event that should not happen under normal circumstances. They are often the precursor of an impending plumbing repair.

Wastewater drains from the home to the municipal sewer system (or septic tank). Byproducts of raw sewage include gases like skatole, hydrogen sulfide, indole, and toluene, which are dangerous, toxic substances that have no business indoors. Plumbing construction methods are designed to keep these gases from entering a home by using at least two devices:

• P-traps were invented in the 1800s, when plumbing was first brought indoors. The name p-trap belies its shape, since it looks more like a sideways “S”. A small amount of water is trapped in the crook of the trap to prevent sewer gas from entering the residence.
• Vent stacks connect the main sewer pipes to the outside through the roof to vent sewer gas out of the house and prevent air from being trapped inside the sewer pipes. Without the stack air can be trapped in the pipe when wastewater rushes through. The trapped air prevents wastewater from draining away. Bubbling or gurgling noises happen when wastewater is trying to push air out of the way in order to drain away.

Are these noises serious? They can be.

Plumbing Repair Minor Warning Signs: Clearing a Blocked Vent Stack

If one toilet in the home is making noise, but does not have a problem draining, it is a warning, but not a problem yet. This happens when debris blows into the vent stack, or a bird or wasps make a nest in the vent that blocks the sewer gas escaping. The solution is to clean the debris from the vent stack, an easy resolution, depending on your comfort level concerning climbing onto the roof to where the vent stack is located. Running a drain snake down the vent stack should clear the debris and solve the problem.

Clogged P-Traps and Slow Drains: When to Call the Plumbing Repair Pros

If the noise is accompanied by slow or stopped drains, this usually indicates more than a clogged stack: the p-traps may also be clogged. Kitchen drains tend to be clogged by fats and food fragments, bathroom sinks and tubs tend to be clogged by human hair, and toilets tend to be clogged by “flushable” wipes, which should not be flushed. The solution might include removing the clog from both the P-trap and the vent stack. This generally requires an appointment with a plumber for plumbing repair.

Severe Plumbing Repair Blockages: Dealing with Main Line Clogs and Tree Roots

If tubs or sinks hold standing water, resulting in a “rotten egg” smell—the hydrogen sulfide—the combination is usually more serious. Clogged drains can result in backups that overflow and create thousands of dollars in damage. Such clogs may be more difficult to solve, the result of a larger clog, or the combination of solidified fats and flushed items.

In some settings, roots can infiltrate the sewer line between the home and the municipal sewer system. The wastewater holds everything needed for plants, water, and organic nutrients very beneficial for trees and shrubs. The roots grow rapidly to completely fill the sewer line, creating a complete blockage.

Whether the problem is slight and just beginning or a well-developed clog, the problem is serious and needs to be addressed and requires plumbing repair. Handling the small problem is a lot less expensive than making an inconvenient and costly error resulting in extensive plumbing repair.

Schedule Your Next Plumbing Repair Today!

Don’t let a small drain issue turn into a costly home restoration disaster. If your drains are bubbling, smelling, or backing up, the expert team at Doctor Cool is ready to help. Call Doctor Cool right now at (281) 301-1117 to book your plumbing repair appointment, or simply fill out our online contact form to get started today!