It could be a single fixture issue causing the gurgling noise in your kitchen sink, meaning the problem is only in the kitchen sink drain. If the kitchen sink is gurgling but draining, it’s most likely a partial clog and this is the time to address the problem. If you wait, it will be more difficult to clear the clogged drain and clean the pipes.

If you’re handy with a few simple tools try these solutions

to Stop Your Sink Drain from Gurgling:

  1. Remove the P-trap under the sink and see if the clog is there or between the sink drain and the pipes leading to the P-trap. If so, clean out the pipes and P-trap and reassemble. You’ll need a pair of slip-joint pliers to loosen the nuts on the P-trap and other pipes. When you reassemble, get the nuts snug and check for leaks and proper draining.
  2. If the pipes are still clogged or gurgling, you’ll need specialized equipment to snake further downstream from the P-trap, possibly up to 50 feet or more. You’re gonna want to call a plumber for this.
  3. The same procedures apply to a bathroom sink. You’ll also want to remove the pop-up stopper from the bathroom sink and clean it off. This is a great place for hair, toothpaste, and soap scum to pile up. It can be a bit tricky to remove as there’s a nut that locks it in place via a lever connected to the drain directly beneath the sink. You’ll have to remove the nut, pull the lever out, and then the pop-up stopper will pull easily out. Clean and reassemble.

How do I know if there is a problem with my sewer line?

You’ll have chronic blocked drain problems and sewage backups into your house. To figure out the severity of this problem, you may want to consider a sewer camera inspection.

Why does my bathroom sink gurgle as the bathtub empties?

This is a symptom of a branch line clog that connects the bathroom sink drain and tub drain and possibly other drains somewhere below floor level. Remove the overflow plate on the tub drain and snake the pipes up to twenty-five feet downstream. You’ll need a snake with a ¼” cable and a drophead to negotiate the p-trap for the tub. Keep the water running in the tub and sink as you snake the line. It may be necessary to also snake the bathroom sink drain as well but work on the tub drain first. This is most likely a job for a professional.

What causes a tub drain to gurgle when the toilet is flushed?

This also is a symptom of a branch line clog that connects the bathroom tub drain somewhere below floor level and downstream from the toilet. Remove the overflow plate on the tub drain and snake the pipes up to twenty-five feet downstream. You’ll need a snake with a ¼” cable and a drop-head to negotiate the p-trap for the tub.

Try this first and run the snake cable all the way out. If this doesn’t clear the clog, you’ll have to remove the toilet and snake that drain with a bigger cable machine or Flex Shaft machine. This is most likely a job for a professional.

When should I call a plumber concerning a clogged Kitchen sink?

Right away unless you want to quit using your sink. Don’t trust chemical drain cleaners to keep your pipes healthy – that decision could cause much larger problems with your drains down the road.

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