Should I plunge a gurgling toilet?

Author: Mr. Dexter Pacocha DVM  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Try plunging: Start with a good old plunger. A few quick thrusting motions might be all you need to dislodge a minor toilet clog and get rid of the gurgling. Snake the drain: If plunging doesn't work, try a drain auger, also known as a sewer snake. If the clog is deep, a small snake might not reach it.

Can a plunger fix a gurgling toilet?

Plunging is often the first line of defense against toilet clogs and can sometimes resolve gurgling issues. Follow these steps: Ensure there's enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger head.

When should you not plunge a toilet?

You cannot plunge a toilet that is empty, so if there is no standing water, use a cup to fill the toilet with water from your sink. If the toilet is empty, take the opportunity to use hot (but not boiling) water, as high temperatures can help clear clogs.

How do you unclog a gurgling toilet?

Place the plunger over the drain opening at the bottom of the toilet bowl and push down firmly, then pull up quickly. Repeat this plunging motion several times to create pressure and dislodge the blockage. If the blockage is severe, you may need to repeat the process multiple times.

Can a gurgling toilet fix itself when flushing?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. While the gurgling noise might go away temporarily, it'll keep coming back until you get to the root of the problem. In this case, a blocked line somewhere between your toilet and the sewer is likely to blame. The issue could be local, like a clogged toilet or drain line.

Why Does My Toilet Gurgle After I Flush? | Ask a Plumber by Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Why does my toilet gurgle but drains fine?

There's a problem with the main sewer line.

If your toilet plumbing is running fine, the cause of toilet gurgling could be due to the main sewer line. The pipes in this line could have become corroded, or grease may have built up significantly.

Does a gurgling toilet mean septic tank is full?

When your septic tank is excessively full, your toilet may start acting odd. You might find that your toilet doesn't fully flush or flushes very slowly and odd noises occur when you flush your toilet. These noises usually sound like gurgling or bubbling.

How do you quietly unclog a toilet?

Baking soda and vinegar: Mix one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar and pour the mixture into the toilet. Wait about 30 minutes for the fizzing reaction to break down the clog, then follow with a kettle full of hot water.

Why is my toilet clogged but bubbling?

When water can't go down your drain as quickly as it needs to, then bubbles will sometimes form in air pockets or gaps in the pipe behind the drain clog, When these air gaps fill with water or liquid going down the drain, bubbles go back up the drain line, leading to the bubbling you see in your toilet.

Is it OK to leave a toilet clogged overnight?

Leaving a toilet clogged overnight is not advisable for several reasons. First, it can cause unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions in your bathroom. The longer the clog sits in the toilet, the more bacteria will grow, and the smell will become increasingly unbearable.

Why won't my toilet unclog with a plunger?

You need water, not air, pressure to loosen the clog. If your toilet lacks water, pour in enough water till the plunger is covered. Use a gentle plunge initially since a hard one will force air back around the seal, blowing water all over you and your bathroom floor.

What is the best angle to unclog a toilet?

Ensure the plunger sits at about a 45-degree angle so that the rubber ring is inserted directly into the drain opening at the bottom of the toilet. Give it one hard push, then break the seal between the plunger and the drain to see if the water drains and the clog passes.

Is toilet gurgling normal?

That gurgling sound isn't just your toilet clearing its throat – it's a sign that something's disrupting the normal flow of air and water within your plumbing system.

How to remove air from toilet pipes?

Turn On Faucets Throughout Your Home

It is only necessary to open the faucets a half turn to allow the air in your pipes to escape. After you turn on all the cold and hot water faucets in your house, you should also flush your toilets to clear out the air trapped in your pipes.

When the washing machine drains, the toilet gurgles.?

It means that there is a blockage somewhere in your plumbing system. When the washing machine drains, it creates a vacuum effect that causes the toilet to bubble and indicates a blockage in the system. It could be in the main sewer line or one of the secondary sewer lines.

Will letting a clogged toilet sit unclog it?

Leaving a clogged toilet overnight may seem like a harmless way to put off an unpleasant task, but it can lead to more significant issues. The most obvious problem is that the clog might not magically disappear. Instead, it can worsen as the blockage hardens or settles deeper into the pipes.

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.

Do you need to turn off water to unclog a toilet?

THE RIGHT WAY 🚽If the water looks high, cut off the water at the supply while you work. There should be a handle that will shut off the water supply near the bottom of your toilet. 🚽Remember, if you turn off the water, and you need more water to help clear the clog, use a bucket to add water in the toilet instead.

How do I stop my sink from gurgling when I flush the toilet?

By taking a few simple preventative measures – cleaning drains, ensuring clear vents, upgrading plumbing as needed, and avoiding obstructions to begin with – you can minimize disruptive air displacements and prevent most toilet-related sink gurgling occurences.

Why won't my drain stop gurgling?

So in summary – clogged drains, blocked vents, main sewer clogs, and incorrect pipe slopes are basically the four common culprits of a gurgling drain. Once you can pinpoint which one might be your particular issue, you can start exploring the right tactics to get that plumbing symphony silenced once and for all.

How do you unclog a drain asap?

6 Steps for Opening a Clogged Drain
  1. Clear out standing water. Remove standing water ASAP, since it breeds mold, bacteria, and insects in no time. ...
  2. Remove visible blockages and check garbage disposal. ...
  3. Try boiling water and salt, or vinegar and baking soda. ...
  4. Plunge it out. ...
  5. Clean the P-trap and snake it. ...
  6. Snake the drain.

How to unclog a gurgling toilet?

Try plunging: Start with a good old plunger. A few quick thrusting motions might be all you need to dislodge a minor toilet clog and get rid of the gurgling. Snake the drain: If plunging doesn't work, try a drain auger, also known as a sewer snake. If the clog is deep, a small snake might not reach it.

How do I know if my toilet is clogged or septic tank is full?

You have trouble flushing your toilet, or it's constantly backing up. If all the bathrooms and drains in your home are draining slowly, or are hard to flush, this could indicate that it isn't just a simple clog. It may be a septic tank issue.

What drain cleaner is safe for toilets?

There is only one Drano® product recommended for use in slow-running toilets: Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. It contains microorganisms that break down organic matter in pipes that can slow water flow. (However, it will not open a completely clogged toilet. For that problem, see How to Unclog a Toilet.)

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