How to Fix a Gurgling Kitchen Sink

A kitchen sink serves as the heart of the home. This is where everything in the kitchen rotates. Good and proper care of the sink will ensure everything in the kitchen runs smoothly. But what would you do if you are washing dishes or maybe cleaning a stainless steel sink, and it suddenly starts to gurgle? Watch out because this may be an indication that there are problems with the air in the drains or pipes.

The air is usually supplied through the vents to cause damage or blockage to the vents. This gurgling issue may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can grow into a bigger plumbing problem if the problem is not solved.

Fixing the gurgling kitchen sink can be as simple as flushing the sink or following simple steps to rectify the issue. We are going to explore these simple steps to fix a gurgling kitchen sink.

7 Steps to Fix a Gurgling Sink:

This irritating gurgling noise from the kitchen sink could be a more serious problem to the drain. Fixing the issue is the only solution. You can do the project yourself or call a professional if you are not familiar with plumbing. Let us look at steps you can take to rectify the problem.

Step one: Flush the sink vent.

If the gurgling issue happens only when draining the sink, there could be a problem with the sink vent. Maybe the Vent was not installed at the correct distance from the P-trap, or it is blocked. For a 1 ½-inch drain pipe, the sink vent should be installed within 3 ½ feet of a bottom trap.

Check to confirm everything is correctly placed. If the Vent is placed farther than these measurements, the vacuum is likely developing and causing this gurgling issue.

Check the operations of the valve to see if it is stuck. After checking everything, flush the sink Vent several times to rectify the problem. If it persists, you can then go to the Main Vent.

Step two: Flush the main Vent of your home.

After flushing the sink vent and the problem still persists, you can try to flush the main Vent to see if the problem will be solved. The plumbing system’s main Vent may be placed on the roof above the main bathroom.

For adequate clearance of the blockage that may have caused the gurgling, flush a substantial amount of water with enough force into the vent opening.

Flush or shoot water with a considerable amount of force to remove anything that may have blocked the drain pipe. Clearing the main Vent is a do-it-yourself project.

But if you are not good with plumbing, it is advisable to find the services of a professional to do the job. This is because the job requires specializing tools and access to the roof.

Step three: Clean the drain

Even though many drains feature a screen, some waste and debris inevitably go down the kitchen sink. A potential mineral build-up is likely to happen here.

You can unscrew the P-trap and remove it to clean the drain. The P-trap collects a lot of waste material and any other debris before they clog the pipes.

The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that holds water that acts as a barrier so that the sewer gasses cannot waft into the home. Empty the P-trap and clean it with a nylon brush. Remove every waste and ensure that your drain is completely clean. Once it is clean, you can return the P-trap to its position.

Step four: Fix or replace the Air Admittance Valve

Some drains have an air admittance valve that helps to regulate the pressure inside the pipes instead of the Vent. A quality valve can serve you for 20 to 30 years without developing a problem.

The air admittance valve can be found after the P-trap in the drain pipes that do not have a vent.

Sometimes the air admittance valve can become trapped or clogged. The clogged or broken valve may upset the air pressure in the drain system.

Fortunately, they are very cheap and easy to replace. Check to see if it is the one with the problem and replace it. You can unscrew and rescrew them with your hands.

Step five: Apply Chemical Drainers.

This method is not recommended because of the toxic chemicals used, so you should save it as the last option.

A lot of store-bought chemical clog removers or chemical drainers use harsh chemicals. They are severe and can erode or damage your pipes and cause another problem.

So this method should be applied as the last option after everything has refused to work. Biodegradable cleaners or enzymatic chemical cleaners are other options that may work better.

These cleaners do not damage the pipes, but they take longer to clean than other chemical cleaners. The user should leave them in the system for some time before flushing them out.

Step six: Use baking soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and Vinegar can act as one of the best natural chemical drain openers. These two do not harm the plumbing system but are fast-acting and effective.

They can be a great alternative to inserting toxic substances down the drain. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with two cups of boiling hot water.

Wait for some time before adding another cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of Vinegar. You will start to see the foam that rises from the reaction of the chemicals. At this stage, continue pouring hot water over the drain to clear out the drain pipes. This may clear out the clogs and grease in the drain.

Step seven: Use drain snakes and plungers

Fixing the gurgling kitchen sink might be as easy as using the plunger. The plunger will suck the air out of the drainpipe, forcing the entire blockage to be dislodged.

On the other hand, the drain snake will help to break any obstruction so that it can be flushed out easily.

Drain snakes are riskier to use compared to plungers because they can create some leaks or damage the pipes. It is recommended to find a professional plumber to do it alone. However, you can apply this method if the cause of gurgling is a blockage.

Conclusion

Being careful and taking quick and good action can help in preventing further issues with your kitchen sink. It would be best if you did not ignore the gurgling kitchen sink. The above steps and methods will help you fix the gurgling kitchen sink.

However, if you try all the methods and the problem persists, you are advised to seek a professional plumber to do it for you. If the gurgling kitchen sink in your home becomes a frequent issue, it is necessary to have the sewage and the drain pipes inspected.