Why does my sink keep regurgitating?

Author: Margarete Stanton  |  Last update: Sunday, August 10, 2025

The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe under your sink that generally contains water to block odors and gases from your sewage. It also serves as a catch tray for items that may fall into your sink that should not have. Your kitchen sink will start to gurgle when your pipes are clogged, causing the P-trap to trap air.

Why is my sink regurgitating?

The gurgling noise coming from your sink is actually caused by air escaping from the drain. It's important to note: this air should NOT be there in the first place. The air causing that noise is located inside your pipes where it is applying pressure — via push or pull — on the water in your drain's P-trap.

How do I stop water from backing up in my sink?

Try the following:
  1. Remove as much water from the sink as possible.
  2. Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain.
  3. Follow up with one cup of white vinegar.
  4. Place the stopper over the drain hole to seal it.
  5. Allow the mixture to work for about 15 minutes.
  6. Remove the stopper and run hot water.

How do I stop my sink from burping?

Thankfully, remedying vent pipe issues can be as straightforward as:
  1. Clearing a nest from an external vent.
  2. Cleaning out any debris or blockages.
  3. Checking for any damage or leaks.
  4. Repairing damaged pipes or fittings.

How do you fix a regurgitating garbage disposal?

Additional Methods to Fix Clogs
  1. Plunger: Add a few inches of water to the sink. Tightly fit a sink plunger (not a toilet plunger) over the disposal. ...
  2. Baking soda and vinegar: Add one cup of baking soda and two cups of white distilled vinegar to the disposal. ...
  3. Boiling water: Heat water in a tea kettle on the stove.

How to UNCLOG a kitchen DOUBLE SINK with Garbage Disposal EASY and CHEAP. NO HARSH CHEMICALS NEEDED!

Why is my sink backing up with no clog?

Slow drains may not always be due to clogs.

Plumbing vents, soap buildup, and garbage disposal malfunctions are among the most common culprits.

Why is my sink spitting?

A sputtering sink can be a bothersome problem, but with proper troubleshooting, it can be resolved. Air trapped in water pipes, clogged aerators, and plumbing leaks are common culprits behind the sputtering issue.

Where is the vent for a kitchen sink?

In most houses, the drain line for each sink extends horizontally back into a wall, where it fits into a sanitary tee. One outlet on the tee extends downward into a vertical drain line, and the other extends upward into a vent system that is open to the outside air.

Why is my plumbing burping?

As water flows through the plumbing, it pushes air in front of it, creating a vacuum effect. The plumbing vents, which are located on the roof, are supposed to prevent this from happening. So, if you're hearing unusual sounds, it means there is a vent issue that needs to be corrected.

Why is my garbage disposal spitting water back up?

Clogged Drain Line: Over time, food particles, grease, and other debris can accumulate in the drain line connected to your garbage disposal. This accumulation restricts the flow of water and waste, causing backups.

Why does my bathroom sink keep backing up?

Hair Buildup: Hair is the most common reason for bathroom sinks to clog and keep clogging. When hair falls into your sink and goes down the drain, it gets wet, and clumps together. This can create a major blockage.

How to stop water from backing up in the sink?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

What is kitchen sink syndrome?

Scope creep (also called requirement creep, or kitchen sink syndrome) in project management is continuous or uncontrolled growth in a project's scope, generally experienced after the project begins. This can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled.

How to tell if a sink vent is bad?

Signs of a clogged or blocked vent include gurgling sounds from drains and toilets, slow-draining fixtures, foul sewer odours around sinks and drains, decreased water pressure, and bubbles coming up through the toilet bowl. A clogged vent pipe prevents proper airflow and allows sewer gas to back into the home.

What happens if a sink is not vented?

When drain lines aren't properly vented, low pressure inside the pipe can suck water out of the traps, letting sewer gas in. Air pressure imbalances inside the drain pipe can restrict water flow and cause sluggish draining, often mimicking a partial clog inside the pipe.

How to unclog a kitchen sink vent pipe?

How to Clean and Clear Your Vent
  1. Climb onto your roof. ...
  2. Have an assistant flush a toilet while you hold your hand over the vent. ...
  3. Use a plumber's snake of electricians fish tape to unclog the stoppage.
  4. If you can't entirely remove the clog with your “snake,” use a garden hose to flush out remaining debris.

Why does my kitchen sink regurgitate?

The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe under your sink that generally contains water to block odors and gases from your sewage. It also serves as a catch tray for items that may fall into your sink that should not have. Your kitchen sink will start to gurgle when your pipes are clogged, causing the P-trap to trap air.

How to get air out of kitchen sink pipes?

By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes.

How do I stop my sink from sputtering?

Aerator Issues

Over time, sediment, debris, or mineral deposits can accumulate in the aerator, causing it to clog. When water is forced through a clogged aerator, it can result in sputtering or uneven water flow. Solution: Remove the aerator from the faucet spout and clean it thoroughly with soapy water.

How do I know if my P-trap is clogged?

A blocked p-trap will cause water backflow to occur. The first sign that your p-trap is clogged is when the water in your sink takes longer than average to flow down the sink.

How often should I clean out a P-trap?

The experts are Moore Home Services recommend that you clean your P-trap once every 3 months.

What should a P-trap look like?

A P-trap is also known as a sink trap. It's the strongly curved portion of piping under the sink. It's called a P-trap because the bend makes it look similar to the letter P turned on its side. It also looks like a U or a J when it's not on its side.

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