What Can You Do About A Toilet That Bubbles When You Shower?

It isn't enjoyable when you're showering and suddenly hear the toilet bubbling. When this happens, it usually means that something is blocking the sewage line making the toilet release the trapped air. But where to start to fix the problem? The blockage could be anywhere from your bathroom's vent pipe to the toilet drainage or even your neighborhood's main sewer line! After all, a house's plumbing connects your toilets, showers, bathtubs, and sinks in a single drainage network.

Determining where the blockage is or how to fix it requires trial and error, whether you call a plumber or do it yourself. Using a plunger or toilet snake can solve the problem if the blockage is close to the affected toilet. If you suffer from a bubbly toilet when showering regularly, here's a simple guide that'll help you unclog any blockage in simple steps, regardless of where it is in the network. It will not only show you what to do to fix the problem, but it will also help you tackle future plumbing reparations without panicking.

The removal method you'll have to use depends on where exactly the blockage is. For example, if the blockage is on the vent pipe, go to the roof and check if leaves, branches, or debris are blocking the pathway. Then, take a wire to loosen up the blockage or use a hose to run some water to drain it all from there. Conversely, if the blockage is due to an accumulation of hair or soap blocking the shower drain, you'll have to use a drain snake to break it up and remove it. 

On the other hand, if the blockage is on the toilet trap, it's advisable to plunge the toilet using an accordion plunger and not block any other drains nearby – be sure to try this on all the bathrooms in your home to rule out any variables. Finally, if the bubbling continues, it could point to a more serious issue outside the home, for example, dirt or tree roots might be blocking the main sewer line — check with your neighbors to see if they have the same issue and contact the authorities to ultimately locate and fix the blockage.

If every method of unclogging your blocked drains doesn't work, you will probably need to call in a plumber. They will have the necessary knowledge and equipment to eliminate any kind of blockage. Professionals commonly use hydro-jets to push the clogs down the drain to fix the problem quickly, they also use mini cameras to check inside the pipes without dismantling anything beforehand. 

To prevent bathroom drains from blocking in the first place, it is recommended to use less toilet paper and avoid flushing sanitary items, q-tips, or other non-flushable materials. To keep other waste pipes and drains serviceable, be sure to use a mesh drain guard to filter hair, large soap chunks, food, and debris from clogging your shower and kitchen pipes. Follow these tips and steps to tackle gurgling or bubbling toilets, unclog any house drain, and prevent any of these issues from reoccurring in the future.