It is frustrating enough doing all the dishes that the family seems to leave in and all around the kitchen sink, but when you finish the dishes and drain the sink and it gurgles back at you, that is maddening!

Here are some quick fixes for a gurgling sink.

Could it be a clogged drain?

The kitchen sink drain probably gets used more than all the other drains in your home combined. Even without a garbage disposal, there is a lot of food that ends up being rinsed off of plates and going down the drain. Food debris and hardened grease can clog the drain over time. If the drain pipe gets to be partially obstructed, the water will still drain but air will get trapped at the obstruction and make that gurgling sound. If you notice water and bubbles when your dishwasher is draining, this is the likely cause.

Whatever you do, stay away from liquid drain cleaners. These products are harsh chemicals that can be extremely damaging to older drain pipes. It is best to call in a plumbing professional to attempt to clear your drain and get it dealt with before it becomes a bigger obstruction. At Tiger, we offer a $73 Drain Clearing Special. If we cannot clear the clog, your appointment is free!

drain clog

How about a blocked vent pipe?

This is the classic cause of the gurgling sound you hear after the sink has drained, maybe even a few seconds after the water has drained. A vent pipe is attached to the drain pipe under your sink to allow sewer gas to escape. These vent pipes run to the roof of your house and vent outside, but they can become blocked by leaves, dirt or nesting material from birds. The vent pipe can sometimes be roughed in behind the cabinetry or in the wall so it can be hard to find. The best solution to this gurgling problem is to call a plumber who can quickly verify the problem and then clear the blocked vent pipe properly.

Was your sink just recently installed (or reinstalled)?

If a new sink drain is gurgling, it’s probably because the drain pipe has not been properly installed. Non-professionals sometimes do not understand the importance of the P-trap, routing of pipes, and the proper hook-up of a vent pipe. It is best to call in a plumber to correct this issue.