Why Is My Toilet Bubbling? What To Do When Your Toilet is Gurgling
You’re in your bathroom, minding your business, when suddenly you hear it—a strange bubbling sound coming from your toilet. Maybe it happens after you flush. Or maybe it gurgles randomly, even when no one’s used it.
If you hear those unsettling glug-glug noises, you may ask yourself, “Should I call a plumber for a gurgling toilet?” Calling a local Ocean City plumber may not be necessary; you may be able to resolve the issue yourself. However, a bubbling or gurgling toilet is a common plumbing issue that can signal something more serious lurking in your drains or sewer line.
There are five likely culprits as to why your toilet is bubbling:
- Toilet Is Clogged
- Partial or Full Drain Blockage
- Blocked Vent Stack
- Main Sewer Line Issues
- Septic System Problems
Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning explains the causes behind that bubbling toilet, what it means, and what to do next—especially if you’re anywhere in South Jersey where sand, wildlife, salt air, and aging homes can play a role in plumbing problems.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Bubbling Toilet
It might seem like a harmless noise at first, but a bubbling toilet can be a red flag for serious plumbing problems. Left unchecked, it could lead to:
Raw Sewage Backups
A bubbling toilet can be an early warning sign that wastewater is not draining properly. If a main sewer line is partially or fully blocked, sewage has nowhere to go and may back up into your home.
Costly Water Damage
When plumbing systems are obstructed or pressurized due to poor drainage, water can overflow or leak into floors and walls. Over time, this leads to water damage that may require major repairs, including replacing flooring, drywall, and insulation—resulting in thousands of dollars in restoration costs.
Structural Issues
Ongoing water intrusion from a compromised plumbing system can weaken your home’s foundation or subfloor. Wood rot, mold growth, and compromised structural integrity are all potential outcomes of prolonged exposure to moisture, which may start from a seemingly minor bubbling toilet.
Health Risks
Sewer gas contains harmful pathogens and toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. A bubbling toilet may indicate a break in the plumbing vent system, allowing these gases to enter your home. Exposure can lead to headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, and more serious health problems
What Does It Mean When Your Toilet Is Bubbling? Is It Backed Up?
Bubbling or gurgling in a toilet usually means there’s a blockage or negative air pressure in your plumbing system; essentially, your toilet is backed up.
When wastewater can’t flow freely through your pipes, it forces air back through the toilet, causing those bubbling sounds.
Here are the most common causes of a gurgling, backed-up toilet:
1. Your Toilet Is Clogged
Sometimes, the bubbling is caused by a simple toilet clog, especially if too much toilet paper, non-flushable wipes, or foreign objects were flushed. Even minor clogs can trap air and cause the toilet to gurgle when water tries to move past the blockage.
How to Unclog a Toilet
If your toilet is gurgling and slow to flush or fill, try these steps:
- Step 1: Use a Flange Plunger
This type of plunger forms a tight seal and is ideal for toilets. Give a few strong pushes to dislodge the clog. - Step 2: Try a Toilet Auger (Plumbing Snake)
If plunging doesn’t work, use a toilet auger to reach deeper into the drain and break up or pull out the clog. - Step 3: Call a Pro if It’s Stubborn
If the clog persists or keeps coming back, it might be deeper in your system, like a partial clog in the main line.
Note: Avoid using chemical drain cleaners or clearing agents. These can damage your pipes and toilet. Stick with mechanical methods or call Broadley’s.
2. Partial or Full Drain Blockage
A clog in the drain line can trap air and water. As water tries to pass the blockage, it pushes air back into the toilet bowl, creating that bubbling noise.
Hair and soap scum buildup are common culprits behind the average drain blockage, but Cape May County beachgoers may also be stressing their pipes by washing sand down the drain after a day at Ocean City Beach or Peck Beach.
Additional Signs of a Blockage:
- Slow-draining sinks or tubs.
- Other toilets are gurgling or not flushing.
- Water is backing up in other fixtures.
- A foul smell is coming from the drains.
3. Blocked Vent Stack
Your home’s plumbing system includes a vent pipe that releases air pressure and sewer gas outside, usually through the roof. If this vent gets blocked—by leaves, debris, sand, or even a bird’s nest—it can create a vacuum that sucks air from your toilet, causing it to bubble or gurgle.
Clogged vents are especially common in beach towns like Ocean City, where wind-blown sand and seagulls can be contributing factors.
4. Main Sewer Line Issues
This is the big one. If you notice multiple fixtures bubbling or backing up, your main sewer line could be partially or fully clogged. Tree roots, aging pipes, sand, or even a collapsed sewer line can cause gurgling in your toilet—and worse if not addressed quickly.
If your toilet gurgles when the washing machine drains or when you use another bathroom, call a professional as soon as possible.
5. Septic System Problems
If your South Jersey home uses a septic system, bubbling could indicate your tank is full or failing. Flushing anything other than toilet paper (even when it says “flushable”) can affect the natural breakdown of organic material in your septic system, as can sand washed down your drain.
A backup in the septic line can affect your toilet’s ability to flush properly and cause gurgling as wastewater tries to escape.
What Should You Do When Your Toilet Is Bubbling?
Here’s a step-by-step approach:
Step 1: Try a Simple Plunge
Start with a plunger. A light blockage in the toilet trap or nearby pipe might be cleared with a few firm plunges. Pro tip—use a flange plunger; it’s designed specifically for toilets and seals better than a standard plunger.
Step 2: Check Other Drains
Flush nearby toilets and run sinks or showers. If more than one fixture gurgles or backs up, you likely have a deeper problem in your drain or sewer system and will likely need help from a Broadley’s plumber.
Step 3: Inspect Outdoor Plumbing Vents
If you’re comfortable getting on the roof, look for blockages in your vent stack. Otherwise, leave this to a licensed plumber who has the tools and experience to check it safely.
Step 4: Call a Professional
When in doubt, call in a local Ocean City plumbing expert (like the team at Broadley’s). We’ll use tools like drain cameras to pinpoint the problem and safe, professional-grade equipment to clear your lines.
Trusted Toilet Clog Repair in Ocean City, NJ
Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has helped homeowners in Ocean City and across South Jersey fix bubbling toilets, unclog drains, and diagnose tricky sewer line problems for decades. We understand the unique plumbing needs of shore homes—from sandy sewer lines to aging cast iron pipes exposed to the Shore’s salty air.
Don’t wait for a small gurgle to turn into a full-blown backup. If your toilet is bubbling, call Broadley’s today at 609-200-0516 or request service online for fast, friendly service you can trust.