Q: When we flush our toilet in our master bathroom the tub drain in that room gurgles. What is causing this?

Your home’s plumbing system is a series of drain and vent pipes. When you flush a toilet or run water into the sink, it then travels down the drain and into the sewer or septic system. The vent pipes run vertically through the roof of your home, equalizing pressure within the plumbing system and allowing sewer gasses to escape. When you flush your toilet and the water is pushed through the drain lines, a vacuum is created behind that water, and air is pulled in through the vent to equalize that vacuum pressure immediately.

CAUSE The cause of the gurgling is due to a blockage of some kind. If the vent is blocked, the air will have to be pulled into your plumbing system through some other opening- in this case, your tub drain. The gurgling sound is air being pulled through your tub’s drain trap.
WARNING This gurgling sound can be an early warning, putting off a drain cleaning can cause overflowed toilets, tubs and even water damage to your home. The blockage source can be as simple as the exposed roof vent being blocked by debris or ice. Another source of the blockage can be something within the drain pipes that would require a sewer machine or auger to break loose.
PREVENTION We’ve seen toilets “explode”, sending waste through bathroom and surrounding rooms, as well as carpets and sheetrock replaced due to backed up drains. Prevent these plumbing horrors from happening in your home by having the drain thoroughly cleaned by a drain cleaning professional and only putting flushable items in your drains

Proper maintenance and operation will extend the life of your garbage disposal and prevent drain and sink backups. It is important to run your disposal at least once weekly, even if you have nothing to grind. If you do not run your garbage disposal regularly many different problems can occur, such as the disposal blades sticking and bad smells coming from the disposal and drain. Learn the best way to use your garbage disposal by following the steps below.

How to Properly Use a Garbage Disposal

• 1. Begin by collecting your food pieces in the sink base away from the disposal
• 2. Run a strong flow of COLD water into the disposal (for about 5 seconds)
• 3. Turn on the disposal
• 4. Using a kitchen utensil, push a small amount of food into the garbage disposal,
  wait to hear the grinding stop before adding more
• 5. Once sink base is clear of waste, continue running water for about 5 seconds
• 6. Turn off the disposal and continue running water another 10 seconds to ensure
  all particles are flushed through the disposal and drain pipes.
• 7. Now turn off the water

The Best Way to Clean a Garbage Disposal

You can extend the life of your kitchen disposal by cleaning it 1-2 times a month. Cleaning your disposal keeps the grinding blades sharp, removes existing debris and prevents unpleasant odors.

Use any of these 3 methods below to properly clean your garbage disposal:

• 1. Remove sludge and debris from your disposal by using ice cubes and salt
  • A. Pour two cups of ice into the disposal, then 1 cup of salt
  • B. Turn on cold water then turn on the garbage disposal
  • C. Once the grinding is complete, turn off the disposal, then the water
    The ice not only cleans but also sharpens the garbage disposal’s blades.
• 2. Eliminate odors from your garbage disposal by grinding citrus fruit peels
  • A. Throw the fruit peel into the disposal, let cold water run and turn on the disposal
    The citric acid in the peels will clean the blades and eliminate odors.
• 3. Prevent discoloration of the black rubber cover on your garbage disposal
  *Make sure the disposal is OFF and NEVER put your hand inside!
  • A. Using an old tooth brush or scrub brush designed for garbage disposals and dish soap, scrub the black rubber screen (in sink hole) on top and underneath.
  • B. Rinse with warm water
    Slime and debris can buildup on the rubber screen and cause odors and discoloration over time.

Need help with a backed up garbage disposal in the Hampton, Virginia area? Call a local plumbing professional such as Atlantic Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for prompt and professional service.

Having a garbage disposal in your Hampton, Newport News or Poquoson home has many benefits from a more convenient and faster cleanup process to preventing future plumbing problems. Ultimately a garbage disposal in your kitchen eliminates the environment for bacteria to breed (in the trash can) and unpleasant odors. If you already have a garbage disposal or need a plumber to install a garbage disposal, it is important to know the straightforward do’s and don’ts of proper garbage disposal use, as well as the best ways to clean and operate your disposal. This week part 1 will cover the Do’s and Don’ts and next week will cover The Best Way to Use Your Garbage Disposal and Cleaning Tips.

Garbage Disposal Do’s

• Run the disposal with plenty of water
• Only grind foods with COLD water
• Flush the disposal and drain with HOT or COLD water, after grinding is completed
• Run the disposal regularly with water every few days, even if you have nothing to grind
  *This prevents rust, corrosion and any obstructions from accumulating
• Only grind a small amount of biodegradable food pieces at a time, “when in doubt, throw it out!”
• Run the disposal until grinding sound stops or until you only hear the motor and water running
• Clean your disposal 1-2x a month using ice, dish soap, Borax or baking soda.
  *Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and caustic drain cleaners
• Do ask a local plumber for professional advice on the best methods to maintain your drains to help keep them clean and flowing freely

Garbage Disposal Don’ts

• Don’t use hot water while grinding food. It’s okay to run hot water down the drain after you’ve used the disposal
• Don’t fill the disposal before turning it on. Keep the cuttings away from the disposal, in the base of the sink and feed them slowly into the grinder while running plenty of COLD water.
• Don’t put the following in your disposal
  a. Grease, fat, coffee grounds, whole bones, clam shells, oyster shells or seeds
  b. Fibrous materials ,such as corn husks, celery stalks, onion skins and artichokes
  c. Expandable foods, such as pasta and rice
  d. Potatoes or potato skins
  e. Meats (raw or uncooked)
  f. Fruit pits and rinds
  g. Harsh chemicals such as, bleach, drain cleaners or caustic drain cleaners
  h. Glass, China, Plastic, Metal, paper, bottle caps, tin, foil, utensils
  i. Anything combustible
  j. Cigarette butts
  k. String, rocks, rubber bands, dentures, toys, etc.