Why Is My Toilet Bubbling When Shower Is Running?

How to Stop Your Toilet from Bubbling: Causes and Solutions

Clogged Toilets

Clogged toilets are a common issue we all encounter, and while typically easy to resolve, understanding the specifics can be beneficial. Toilet bubbling occurs due to a blockage in the plumbing system, which creates reverse air pressure. Instead of water draining away, air and water are pushed back into the toilet, causing bubbling in the bowl.

Common causes of clogs include non-flushable items such as paper towels, tissues, sanitary products, cigarette butts, and wipes. These materials do not dissolve in water, leading to blockages that need to be cleared.

How to Fix It?

To address a clogged toilet and eliminate bubbling, follow these steps:

Plunge the Toilet: Use a plunger designed specifically for toilets, ensuring it forms a good seal over the drain.
Use a Toilet Snake or Auger: If plunging does not stop the bubbling, employ a manual or mechanised toilet snake or auger to reach deeper into the drain and remove the blockage.
Call a Professional: If the clog persists despite using a plumber’s auger, it is time to call professionals like Fast Drains.

Blocked Vent Stack

If your toilet continues to bubble when the shower is running, and there are no visible clogs in the toilet, it may be time to inspect your roof’s vent stack. The vent stack manages your plumbing’s air pressure and is a vertical pipe designed to remove sewer gases and unpleasant odours, keeping your home fresh. It also allows fresh air into your drainage and plumbing system to maintain atmospheric pressure, which is essential for proper water drainage.

Unlike drain pipes, a vent stack does not carry wastewater and can become blocked by debris such as bird nests, pine cones, and leaves. When the vent stack is obstructed, it prevents air from escaping, creating reverse or negative pressure. This lack of air pressure causes toilets to bubble when the shower is used, disrupting water flow throughout the house.

How to Fix It?

DIY Cleaning: To check for a blocked vent stack, safely climb onto the roof using a sturdy ladder if accessible. Remove any visible blockages manually or use a drain auger for deeper obstructions. After clearing the vent stack, consider covering it to prevent future blockages.
Seek Professional Assistance: If accessing the vent stack is difficult or unsafe, it is advisable to contact professionals or a drainage company with the necessary skills and tools to clear the blockage safely and effectively.

Clogged Drain Lines

If no clogs are found in the toilet or vent stack, the issue may lie with your household drain lines. All drainage from your residence connects to the main sewer lines. A blockage in these drain lines can trap air, which becomes pressurised and forced out due to the obstruction. When you use the shower, water flows down the pipes while trapped air has no means of escape, creating reverse pressure. This vacuum effect can draw air into the P-trap through the toilet, leading to gurgling noises and bubbling during showers.

How to Fix It?

Clearing clogged sewer drains or pipes can be challenging and may cause additional damage if not handled properly. If the problem persists deep within the pipes beyond the reach of standard tools, it indicates a more serious issue. Symptoms may include water backing up in showers or toilets failing to flush properly.

Hire Professional Plumbers: In such cases, it is crucial to enlist the services of a professional plumber who can effectively diagnose and resolve the underlying problem. This approach ensures the issue is addressed comprehensively and prevents future occurrences.

Improper Installations of Pipes

Improperly installed plumbing pipes can result in bubbling when the shower is in use. Inadequate plumbing installation may lead to improper pressurisation, allowing air to move in the wrong direction and creating air pockets. These conditions can potentially cause hazardous backflows, particularly if drain lines are not correctly graded or sloped, hindering efficient wastewater flow.

How to Fix It?

Visual Assessment: To address this issue, begin by visually inspecting your plumbing installations for any visible irregularities.

Call Experts: If no apparent problems are detected, it is advisable to consult professional plumbers for diagnostic assessments of your drain lines. They will evaluate the grading and slope of the pipes to identify any improper configurations. Correcting these issues may involve accessing ceilings and walls to make necessary adjustments, ensuring optimal plumbing functionality and preventing future bubbling occurrences.

Clogged Mainline

If plunging your toilet and unblocking your vent stack do not resolve the bubbling issue, the problem is likely due to a clog in the main or municipal sewer line. This main line carries all the drainage waste from your house to the city’s sewer system.

A blockage in this line can cause bubbling and gurgling in your toilet, as the water backs up into your home when the shower is used. This issue can also be influenced by the size of the drain line and whether it is undersized, which can exacerbate water backup problems. It is also worth checking if your neighbours are experiencing similar issues.

How to Fix It?

In such cases, do-it-yourself methods are typically ineffective. The responsibility for clearing a blockage in the main sewer line lies with the city municipal authorities. Clearing such blockages often requires commercial hydro-jetting and drum augers to reach and effectively remove the obstruction. Here are some steps you can take to facilitate their work:

Check with Neighbours: Determine if they are experiencing similar issues.
Inform Authorities: Report the problem to the city municipal authorities or relevant union.
Prevent Further Complications: Avoid flushing non-flushable items to prevent additional blockages.