5 Reasons Toilets Bubble (With Solutions) - New Flow Plumbing

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4. 5 Reasons Toilets Bubble (With Solutions)

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Toilet bubbles aren’t just odd they can signal bigger plumbing trouble that puts your whole home at risk. When toilet bubbles appear after a flush, it usually means air is backing up in the drain line, and if left unchecked, you could face messy overflows in your tubs, showers, and sinks. Our go-to trenchless repair method often stops bubbling at the source by clearing stubborn blockages without tearing up your yard or floors. Read on to discover five common causes of toilet bubbles, step-by-step fixes you can try today, and expert tips for preventing future gurgles. With these straightforward solutions, you’ll save time, avoid costly damage, and keep your plumbing running smoothly.

Table of Content:

• Why your toilet bubbles and how can it become a major problem?
• 5 Common issues and how to fix them!
• 1. A clogged toilet
• 2. A faulty cistern
• 3. A blocked vent stack
• 4. A clogged mainline (contact us!)
• 5. Clogged or damaged city connection
• Conclusion: Keep Your Plumbing Flowing Smoothly
• FAQs

Why your toilet bubbles and how can it become a major problem?

Don’t be afraid! If your toilet begins to bubble or gurgle, it means that there is abnormal suction building up in the line, causing air to push back, create

bubbles, and even cause the toilet to flush. But you’ve heard the warning signs, and can now take the proper steps to correct it. If left alone, toilet bubbling can lead to unwanted waste overflowing your toilets, showers, and tubs, creating even larger nastier issues. Below is how to find the root of the problem, the necessary steps to fix it, and how we can help at New Flow Plumbing.

After flushing, toilet bubbling can occur due to clogging.

5 Common issues and how to fix them!

Here is how to identify where the source of the problem is located, and how to fix each one. Some may require professional help, but others can be done right from home with your very own skills.

1. A clogged toilet

We are all too familiar when something that’s not supposed to be flushed… gets flushed. Paper towels, tissues, feminine products, cigarette butts, and “flushable” wipes, are usually the main culprits. In this case, the plunger and sewer snake are your go-to tools. Learn more about: How to Fix Toilet Leaking Around Its Base

If the clog is close to the surface, a plunger should clear it out.

Solution:

Seal off any other fixtures in the bathroom (tub, sink, shower,) with duct tape before plunging the toilet. This will keep pressure from escaping and allow it to clear the drain line. If the clog is close to the surface, 10 to 15 firm pumping motions should remove it.

If the plunger doesn’t do the job, a manual or mechanized sewer snake (or plumber’s auger), should clear out the harder to reach and tougher clogs.

2. A faulty cistern

Inside the cistern, the flapper is responsible for flushing and refilling the tank with clean water. Check to see if the flapper is damaged or faulty, and is preventing water to properly drain.

Dirty flush toilet mechanism in restroom

Solution:

If the flapper is defective, changing it out for a brand new one should clear the issue up. If the problem is the entire cistern mechanism, then the whole cistern will need to be replaced.

3. A blocked vent stack

The vent stack is a vertical pipe leading to your roof that helps control your plumbing air pressure and releases exhaust gas. It is not supposed to be sealed, closed, or blocked, which will lead to reverse suction and cause bubbling. Another sign the vent may be the issue is a gassy odor smell leaking into the house.

Chimneys on a building rooftop against a blue sky.

Solution:

The most usual vent blockage comes from birds building nests. Other small animals or leaves may build up in the vent, and prevent it from doing its job. Note: Since the pipe is on the roof, take caution when attempting to clear out any debris from the vent.

If the vent is unreachable or the clog is not near the surface, New Flow Plumbing is more than happy to help. Reach out for home plumbing issues here.

4. A clogged mainline (contact us!)

The mainline leads all the wastewater from your home’s fixtures to your city connection. If the clog affects your entire house, such as a one toilet flushing causes another to bubble, then the issue is likely the main. Read also – Causes of Main Sewer Line Clog

The mainline can be the cause of toilet bubbling.

Solution:

The mainline is more difficult to access and used to be very expensive to fix if damaged. Not anymore! New Flow Plumbing offers trenchless sewer repair which is a time-saving, cost-effective, and lasting solution. The traditional repair involves tearing and ripping out floors, walls, and dirt from your yard which will cost you more money. With trenchless, we solve the issue without tearing up your house. Trenchless sewer repair uses very little digging. Just two, 4ft by 4ft pits to gain access to the pipe. Traditional sewer repair that used to take days now takes only hours. When New Flow Plumbing is done, you don’t need to break the bank trying to repair the damage left behind. Note: Sometimes a sewer pipe is so badly damaged that no trenchless repair method is usable.

When it’s impossible to use a trenchless repair method, we use conventional sewer replacement methods. Nonetheless, contact us and we can find the solution that works for you.

5. Clogged or damaged city connection

In this case, the source of the problem is out of your hands and now falls into your utility company or city municipal department. If your entire house is affected, ask your neighbors if they are having similar problems. If so, check your water provider and report the issue promptly. If attempting to resolve the issues on your own doesn’t seem to work and the bubbling continues, call us at 310-299-9284 New Flow Plumbing can perform a CCTV sewer inspection that can locate precise clogs in your pipes, and snake them out. We can easily solve your problems and make life that much easier!

Conclusion: Keep Your Plumbing Flowing Smoothly

Toilet bubbling is a clear warning sign from your plumbing system that shouldn’t be ignored. By understanding the five common causes-from simple toilet clogs to complex mainline and vent issues-you are equipped to handle minor fixes or know exactly when to call a professional. Regular maintenance and being mindful of what gets flushed are your best defenses against future problems.

If the gurgling persists, remember that complex sewer issues, particularly those requiring mainline or vent stack intervention, are best left to licensed experts. For reliable, time-saving solutions like trenchless repair, you can always check the credentials of your local plumbing company.

FAQs

Why is my toilet gurgling but not clogged?

A gurgling toilet without a physical blockage usually points to a venting issue. Your plumbing system needs air to move water; if the vent stack on your roof is blocked, it creates a vacuum that pulls air through your toilet trap. New Flow Plumbing can inspect your vent system to ensure air is flowing correctly, stopping the noise and preventing slow drains.

Why does the water level in my toilet bowl fluctuate?

Fluctuating water levels are often caused by wind blowing across a vent stack or a partial blockage in the main line. If the water drops significantly, it might be getting sucked out by a vacuum created elsewhere in the house. The experts at New Flow Plumbing use specialized pressure testing to find where the equilibrium is breaking down in your pipes.

Can tree roots cause my toilet to bubble?

Yes, tree roots are drawn to the moisture in sewer lines and can grow through tiny cracks. As they expand, they create a “filter” that catches debris and slows down water flow, causing air to push back and bubble. New Flow Plumbing offers trenchless solutions to remove roots and seal pipes permanently without destroying your landscaping.

How do I stop my toilet from making air bubble sounds?

The first step is to check for a simple clog using a plunger. If that doesn’t work, you likely have a deeper issue in the mainline or vent. To stop the sound for good, New Flow Plumbing suggests a professional sewer camera inspection to identify if the air is trapped by a belly in the pipe or a heavy accumulation of grease.

Is a gurgling toilet a plumbing emergency?

While a single gurgle might not be an immediate disaster, it is a warning of an impending backup. If you ignore it, you risk raw sewage overflowing into your home. New Flow Plumbing considers persistent gurgling a priority service call because preventing a flood is much cheaper than cleaning up after one.

Why does my toilet bubble when the washing machine drains?

This is a classic sign of a partial mainline clog. The washing machine discharges a large volume of water very quickly, which overwhelms the restricted pipe and forces air back up through the toilet. Because this involves the whole house drainage system, we recommend a high-pressure hydro-jetting service to clear the entire line.

What is the best way to clear a deep sewer blockage?

For deep blockages, standard snakes often just poke a hole through the mess. Hydro-jetting is the superior method as it uses high-pressure water to scrub the pipe walls clean. New Flow Plumbing utilizes industrial-grade jetting to remove scale, grease, and roots, restoring your pipes to like-new condition.

How can I tell if my roof vent is clogged?

If you smell sewer gas in the yard or near your bathrooms, or if your drains are slow despite being clear of debris, your roof vent is likely the culprit. You can often see debris or bird activity near the pipe on the roof. If the vent is too high or dangerous to reach, our team can clear it safely from the ground using specialized tools.

What are the signs of a collapsing sewer pipe?

Constant bubbling, frequent backups, and sinkholes or extra-green patches of grass in your yard are all indicators of a collapsing pipe. These issues used to require massive excavation, but modern technology allows us to reline the pipe from the inside, saving you time and money.

Why is my toilet bubbling when no one is using it?

If your toilet bubbles spontaneously, it usually means there is a blockage in the city’s main line or a shared system. The air and water from other homes are being pushed into your pipes. You should check with your neighbors and then contact your local utility provider to see if there is a known issue on their end.

Arman Grigoryan

Founder & President of New Flow Plumbing

Arman Grigoryan is the founder and president of New Flow Plumbing, proudly serving Los Angeles, Sacramento, and surrounding areas. With extensive experience in plumbing diagnostics, he leads a skilled team specializing in advanced sewer and drain camera inspections to quickly identify problems and deliver lasting solutions. Arman is dedicated to using the latest technology to provide reliable service, honest answers, and dependable results for every customer.

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