It is not unusual to get odd sounds from your plumbing system as it works. However, some sounds might be louder and more alarming than expected. So, if you have constantly heard a sound from a particular part of the system, you may be dealing with some complications soon enough. With that in mind, consider these common reasons why the plumbing beneath your sink could be making odd noises and the best ways to deal with it.
The Drain Line is Clogging Up
A clog is the most common cause of gurgling under a sink. Note that plumbing lines don't have a large cross-sectional area, and many blockage-causing particles often end up down drains, making clogs a common household issue. For example, grease, food scraps, hair, and cosmetic products are a few items that clog pipes. If dealing with a minor issue, you can use a plunger or a manual drain snake to unclog. However, if the obstruction is deep within your plumbing system, you may need a plumber's expertise and specialized tools. So, contact an emergency plumber for immediate response.
There is a Blockage in One of the Vent Pipes
Vent pipes link to the drain and waste pipes in your property. Note that foul smells from the sewage leave your house through these vent pipes, which prevents toxic gases from traveling back into the home. The vents are also crucial in keeping water and garbage moving toward your home's sewer line. Further, smaller pipes in your house join to form the main piping, which usually emerges on the roof of your house. Hence, debris, like bird nests, animal carcasses, and foliage, might impede the opening on the rooftop. When this happens, your home's plumbing may make an odd, gurgling sound from the obstruction. So, call a plumber because clearing the vent will require climbing onto the roof.
A Blockage in the Garbage Disposal
People believe disposals can process whatever food you put in them. However, ice, pits, and corn husks are too challenging to handle. Further, stringy substances wrap around the system, such as pasta, celery, and asparagus. On the other hand, grease solidifies and clogs the systems, while dried, starchy vegetables like beans and peels from potatoes turn into a thick paste resembling fat. Ultimately, all this grime will jam the machine and clog it. Hence, the device will make noises as it struggles to operate under tough circumstances.
You should call a plumber because you may not know the best way to address these causes of gurgling. Professionals will inspect the system find the cause of the problem, and resolve it to restore optimal function.
What was the first thing you did when you got up this morning?
If you answered "go to the bathroom," "get a drink of water," or "brush my teeth," then it's important to realize the role that a plumber has already played in your day. The plumber who installed your plumbing made that morning routine possible! Some other plumbers may have worked on the system over the years, also contributing to your experience. Plumbers have a bigger impact on our daily lives than we often realize. In fact, that's one reason we write this blog — to make our readers more aware of their plumbing.