skip to main content

Plumbing Bathrooms Home Repair

Powder room sink drain gurgles when toilet flushes

4 years ago

Greetings. My plumber is trying to tell me that this is normal and not a problem. I need to better understand what is happening so I can have a better argument when he pushes back. Is it not vented properly? There is no clog as this is a new powder room on completely renovated floor and powder rm was moved to another location. Thank you!

Featured Answer

DavidR

4 years ago

I've lived in and visited places where permits weren't required, or enforced, and the houses were about as hacked and unsafe as you'd expect. When you hear people say that government should butt out of everything, remind them of how important building codes are!

If you live in a city, I strongly suspect that the people who did the work on your bathroom are giving you a snow job. The city needs money, and they're not going to forgo the income they get from issuing permits. :\

As for the problem, the above posts are right on, the drain system isn't vented properly or the vent is plugged. If vacuum pulls the water out of the sink trap, sewer gas will enter your home. That's a health and safety hazard. Get this fixed by a licensed, qualified plumber, pronto.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

User
4 years ago
It’s not vented properly. It could be as simple as a blocked roof vent that needs to be cleaned out. It could be that the system was designed completely improperly. You need to show the diagrams or pictures from when the walls were open. We’re permits pulled and this inspected? Did you verify that your plumber actually holds a plumbing license and is insured?
PRO
User
4 years ago
Climb on the roof and check for blockage yourself with a drain auger.
Related Discussions
new Bosch dw - very loud when filling/draining - normal?
Q
Comments (4)
I have 2 Bosch DWs and am quite happy with both of them. I can hear them when they fill or drain, but quietly. I've turned them on while others were standing there talking to me and they would ask about the red light on the floor -- they didn't realize the machine was running, and it's loudest when it starts up and then when it drains. It's nearly silent the rest of the time. I would call and get a different person to come check the installation, and if that doens't do it, call Bosch for a service call with an approved repairman. Also, check your disposal to see that there isn't something there that could be causing the water to be backing up and gurgling. Could be the installer messed something up, but if he could get one installed right and use it, he might appreciate that it's a better machine. I have no regrets -- times 2.
...See More
Elongated toilet in 5' powder room?
Q
Comments (11)
> lee - curious about your Gerber model. We are looking at the viper, not only because it is compact but also for the 1" clearance behind it. Our rough-in is only 11-1/2" and the current toilet fits snug against the wall - actually the lid does not go on right. I did read some bad reviews on the viper, but there seem to be those for any toilet. We are also looking at the Cadet 3 for the back wall clearance ( few toilets have that 1"), but the one we want (skirted) extends 30". What's there to say? Like all 1.28 gallon per flush toilets i've seen, I'd prefer more water coverage in the bowl, but at least the Viper sends slightly swirled jets of water down the sides and back of the bowl and a larger flume down the front, so it stays clean and thus far hasn't clogged. Viper is Gerber's midrange line; they also have a higher-end Avalanche model (21-014) that's supposed to flush slightly better. It's slightly shallower front to back, has a slightly larger water spot, is one-piece (no gap between bowl and tank), and includes a soft-close seat that's worth at least $40. I didn't buy it because it was still more expensive, the seat is perhaps a bit too high (5/8" taller than the Viper), and I find the front-mounted flush lever on the Viper more convenient to use than the side-mount lever on the Avalanche that's precariously close to the open rim. I did use a Gerber Avalanche elsewhere in the house, but it's a full-depth, non-compact version that uses 1.6 gallons rather than 1.28 and unsurprisingly is reputed to work better. The compact version is 1.28g only. The 1.6g Avalanche is terrific, splashing water all over the wall before flushing everything down.
...See More
Toilet Incomplete Flush
Q
Comments (4)
To touch on what snoonyb posted. Sounds as if you have blockage in the internal trap of the commode. Found a commode cutaway to show the traps design. The trap is within the green outline. You can use a snake to clear blockage. Then when attempting to flush a large amount of solids. Using a snake may not work depending on what the solids were. At times it is better to just shut off the water supply. Drain the tank (flush) and then remove as much water as possible. A wet dry vac is good for removing most of the water. Unbolt the commode from the floor and carefully turn it upside down in the bath tub. Pour a large amount of water down through the drain to "back flush" it. Having the commode out does a couple of things. Commode upside down allows you to work from both ends of the drain/trap and makes it easier to see a blockage if one exist. You can pour water directly into the floor drain to check the flow. If you find blockage in the drain. having the commode out makes it much easier to snake the line. And last it gives you a chance to replace the wax gasket which must be done whenever a commode is removed from the floor.
...See More
Toilet won't flush; Maybe affecting sink/tub
Q
Comments (7)
Okay. Thank you for your information. I was able to get the toilet to flush while I was cleaning the kitchen that night. Somehow when I used the garbage disposal my brother said he heard the toilet making noises and he tried flushing it and it was back to normal. Currently, both toilets now make a gargling noise whenever someone uses either shower. The plumbing of this house has me concerned, but hopefully it's nothing to major. We will contact the management company see that this issue is resolved. Thank you again for all of your information.
...See More
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Looks like a bunch of replies are missing here. Not sure why. Which makes everything confusing. Check your posts and edit out any trigger words that get filtered trapped.

Of course permits and inspections are required for remodeling projects. The fact that it didn’t happen here gave permission for hack work to occur. So hack work occurred.
mike_kaiser_gw
4 years ago
There’s a vent issue, the toilet isn’t getting the air it needs from the vent so it’s pulling it from the sink causing the gurgling. When this powder room relocated, did the plumber run a new vent through the roof or tie into the existing stack? If the latter, it could be clogged and just a coincidence that your issues started after construction. Is there an attic where you could see how the vent pipes are run?
Izzy Mn
4 years ago
I had a issue that plagued me for a month after installing new faucet and pop up stopper in bathroom sink. The sink gurgled and a faint sewer smell. After doing numerous googling searches I finally found what could possibly be going on. The over flow on bathroom sink could be clogged and some kind of suction action going on when toilet flushed.

Sure enough when I put water into over flow on sink it didn't drain. We managed to get plumbers putty in overflow when installing plug (we are true amateurs ,takes us hours to do what a professional could probably do in less than 5 minutes ) I got overflow cleared, no more gurgling, no more smell!!!
Stax
4 years ago
Aha, another vote for a venting issue...

Related Stories

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Pattern-Happy Powder Room With Secret Storage

By Mitchell Parker

An open vanity and recessed storage maximize space in a tiny cottage bathroom

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: A Fresh Take on Classic Style for a Powder Room

By Jeannie Matteucci

A better floor plan and tiles in a striking chevron pattern help update a California bathroom with timeless appeal

BATHROOM DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room. Here’s what you should know

BATHROOM DESIGN Powder Rooms That Really Perform

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Put your guests at ease with a comfortable half bath with all the right amenities

BATHROOM DESIGN New This Week: 11 Perfect Powder Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

Bright wallpaper, stylish vanities and pattern-happy tile add up to big design in these small bathrooms

BATHROOM DESIGN Powder Room Essentials to Keep Guests Happy

By Nicole White Designs Interiors LLC

Set out these bathroom necessities (hello, hand towels) to make your company comfortable and your parties run smoothly

INDUSTRIAL STYLE Steampunk for the Powder Room

By Mitchell Parker

Pipes, gauges, dirigibles — old, in-your-face technology has romantic appeal in the iPhone age. Here's how to celebrate its glories at home

POWDER ROOMS Dream Spaces: 12 Ultraglam Powder Rooms

By Lisa Higgins

These luxurious loos show how extravagance can come through color, wall coverings, fixtures or just a simply beautiful concept

BATHROOM DESIGN Yes, You Can Go Bold With Wallpaper in a Powder Room

By Becky Harris

The smallest room in the house can make the biggest design impact. Here are 10 of our favorite papered powder rooms

WALL TREATMENTS A Tiny Powder Room Gets a Map-tastic Look

By Becky Harris

Creative cartography adds cheer and personality to the walls of a compact half bath

Sponsored

More Discussions

damage to marble?

6

Subfloor question

4

Sliding glass doors leaking

9

What is this on my window?

2

Quartzite crack

3