You start a load of laundry, and soon after, you hear your toilet gurgle. While it might seem harmless, a gurgling toilet when the washing machine drains can be an early sign of a plumbing issue. At Open-Drains, we help Chicago-area homeowners spot these plumbing issues before they turn into messy sewer backups.
Why Does Your Toilet Gurgle When the Washer Drains?
When your washing machine drains, it sends a lot of water into your home’s pipes. If everything is working as it should, the water moves through the pipes and into the main sewer line without causing problems for other fixtures. But if there’s a partial blockage or a venting issue, the rush of water can change the pressure in your pipes. This can push air through the toilet’s water trap and cause a bubbling or gurgling noise. Common Causes of a Gurgling Toilet
1. A Partial Sewer Line Blockage
Grease, toilet paper, wipes, and other debris can build up in your sewer line. When the washing machine drains, water may struggle to pass through the clogged pipe, causing air to bubble up through nearby fixtures.
2. A Blocked Plumbing Vent
Plumbing vents keep the air pressure balanced in your drainage system. If leaves, debris, or even an animal nest block a vent, wastewater may not drain properly. A blocked vent can lead to gurgling sounds, slow drains, and bad smells.
3. Tree Roots Inside the Sewer Line
Tree roots can get into older sewer pipes through cracks or loose joints. As they grow, they block wastewater flow and trap debris. This problem is especially common in older Chicago-area homes with clay sewer lines.
4. A Developing Main Sewer Backup
If your toilet gurgles every time the washing machine drains, the issue might be farther down in your main sewer line.
If you ignore these warning signs, wastewater could eventually back up through basement floor drains, toilets, or showers.
When Should You Call a Professional?
A plumbing noise now and then isn’t always a big deal. But you should get an inspection if you notice any of these signs: - Gurgling every time the washing machine drains
- Water bubbling inside the toilet bowl
- Multiple slow drains
- Sewage odors
- Water backing up into basement fixtures
If sewage starts to back up, stop using those plumbing fixtures and call a professional right away. At Open-Drains, we use professional drain cleaning equipment and video sewer inspections to locate the source of drainage problems.
Depending on what we find, we might suggest sewer rodding, hydro jetting, or sewer line repairs. Our goal is to find the real cause and fix your drainage before a small warning sign turns into a costly emergency.
Don’t Ignore a Gurgling Toilet
That bubbling sound might be your plumbing system’s first sign that something’s wrong. If it gurgles when your washing machine drains, contact Open-Drains today. We provide professional sewer inspections, drain cleaning, sewer rodding, and sewer repair services throughout the Chicago area. Let us find the problem before it turns into a basement sewer backup.