Many homeowners deal with toilets that gurgle at the time their washing machines drain. The toilet makes these strange sounds because of pressure changes in the plumbing system as water drains from the washer. You’ll notice air bubbles rising through the toilet bowl’s water, which demonstrates a clear sign of this issue.

A clogged drain stands out as the most frequent cause of toilet bubbling during washer drainage. Your home’s vent pipe connects to both drain and sewer lines, which lets gas and air flow without disrupting the water. Ignoring these symptoms can create serious problems. Water damage from potential overflows and mold growth from constant moisture pose significant risks. Multiple fixtures that gurgle or back up at once point to a blocked main sewer line.

This piece dives into the reasons behind gurgling toilets during washer drainage and offers practical fixes. You’ll learn about DIY solutions and professional services like hydro-jetting. This advanced technique uses a self-propelled nozzle that blasts water at 4,000 PSI into your sewer pipes to clear stubborn blockages.

Why my toilet gurgles when the washer drains

Your toilet makes gurgling sounds when the washing machine drains. This signals a plumbing problem you need to fix. The mechanisms behind this issue will help you solve it.

1. Clogged or partially blocked drains

A partially clogged drain usually causes toilet gurgling. Water from your washing machine meets resistance at the blockage and creates negative air pressure in the drain pipes. Air moves backward through the plumbing system, which creates that distinctive “glug-glug” sound as air bubbles rise through the toilet bowl water. These partial clogs build up slowly from debris, soap scum, or laundry lint.

2. Blocked vent pipe on the roof

Your plumbing system has vent pipes that go through the roof. These pipes let sewer gasses escape and balance air pressure in the drainage system. Leaves, twigs, animal nests, or ice in cold weather can block these vents. Multiple fixtures draining slowly throughout your home point to a blocked vent pipe. Poor ventilation builds negative pressure that pulls air through toilet traps and makes them gurgle.

3. Improperly installed washer drain

Washing machine drains need specific measurements and setup to work right. A badly installed drain disrupts airflow in your plumbing system and creates pressure problems. DIY installations or modifications that don’t think about the whole plumbing system often cause this. Then, large water discharges from the washer demonstrate themselves as toilet bubbling.

4. Shared drain line between toilet and washer

Older homes often connect the washing machine drain to the toilet line. This shared setup means washer water creates air displacement in the common drain pipe. The displaced air takes the easiest path—up through the toilet—and causes bubbling or gurgling.

5. Main sewer line blockage

A main sewer line blockage creates bigger problems than local clogs and affects multiple fixtures. You might see water backing up in tubs or showers during toilet flushes, smell sewage, or notice several slow drains. Tree roots, collapsed pipes, or built-up debris can block main lines. Simple plunging won’t fix these issues.

6. High-efficiency washer causing pressure spikes

Modern high-efficiency washers push out water faster and harder than older models. These washers clean well but can overwhelm older plumbing systems that weren’t built for such pressure changes. The quick water rush displaces air in connected pipes, and you’ll notice this most through toilet gurgling.

How to fix toilet bubbling when washer drains

A gurgling toilet during washer drainage points to a pressure imbalance that needs the right fix. You can solve this problem once you understand the mechanisms causing it.

1. Use a toilet plunger to clear surface clogs

Start by clearing surface-level clogs with the right plunging technique. Put your protective gloves on and add enough water to cover the plunger cup in the bowl. Create a tight seal by positioning the plunger over the drain opening. Push down with firm pressure and pull up quickly. Repeat this motion several times to build adequate pressure. This movement helps dislodge small blockages that cause air displacement. Flush the toilet to see if the gurgling has stopped.

2. Clean the roof vent stack with a hose or snake

The problem might come from a blocked vent stack if plunging doesn’t work. Find the vent pipe that extends from your roof. Set your garden hose nozzle to high pressure and spray down the vent to remove debris. You can also use a plumbing snake or auger in the vent pipe. Turn it until you feel the clog’s resistance. Keep turning to break through the blockage and pull it back up carefully to get the debris out. Your plumbing system’s airflow should now work properly.

3. Inspect and correct washer drain installation

Toilet bubbling often happens because of poorly installed washer drains. Your washing machine should drain into a properly vented standpipe. The drain hose shouldn’t go too far into the standpipe since this creates pressure problems. Look at the connections between your washer drain and home’s main plumbing system to spot any setup issues.

4. Use hydro-jetting or a sewer snake for deep clogs

Deep clogs in your main sewer line might be the cause if the gurgling continues after surface treatments. Professional hydro-jetting blasts water at 1,500 to 4,000 PSI to clean pipes completely. This method works better than simple snaking that just pokes holes through blockages. Hydro-jetting cleans the pipe’s entire diameter and removes grease, scale, roots, and sludge. A professional-grade sewer snake can break up materials that household tools don’t reach well.

Preventing future gurgling issues

Your best defense against toilet gurgling during washing machine drainage is proper maintenance. These strategies will keep your home’s plumbing pressure balanced.

1. Install lint traps on washer discharge hose

Laundry lint can clog your drains. A stainless steel mesh lint trap on your washing machine’s discharge hose catches fibers before they enter your plumbing system. These traps are cheap at $5-6 for three and attach quickly with zip ties. You’ll know when to replace them as they expand visibly with collected debris. Homeowners with septic systems must use these traps because lint buildup can damage their system’s function.

2. Clean drains monthly with baking soda and vinegar

Clean your drains regularly to prevent pressure problems from buildup. A monthly baking soda and vinegar treatment keeps pipes clear without causing damage. The process is simple – pour 3/4 cup baking soda, add 1/2 cup vinegar, cover for 30 minutes, and flush with hot water. This natural solution creates bubbles that break down clogs effectively.

3. Schedule annual plumbing inspections

Professional inspections can catch problems before your toilet starts gurgling. Most homes need yearly inspections, but older plumbing systems might need checks twice a year. Plumbers use cameras to examine drain and sewer lines for fat buildup, blockages, and cracks during these visits. The EPA reports that 10% of homes leak more than 90 gallons daily – issues that routine maintenance easily catches.

4. Avoid flushing non-degradable items

The “three Ps” rule is simple – only flush pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. Your toilet isn’t meant for wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, feminine products, dental floss, hair, cooking grease, medications, cotton items, or cat litter. These items block your plumbing and create pressure imbalances that make toilets gurgle. This is a big deal as it means that local sewer departments face higher operating costs, which could increase your utility bills.

When to call a plumber

The right timing to call a professional plumber can save you money and time with toilet gurgling problems. Even skilled homeowners run into plumbing challenges they can’t fix themselves.

1. Persistent gurgling despite DIY fixes

Your toilet continues to bubble when the washer drains even after you’ve tried simple fixes like plunging or cleaning vent pipes. This points to deeper problems that need professional attention. A plumber’s specialized equipment can diagnose problems that DIY methods can’t solve. Professional toilet repair costs around USD 150 plus parts – a smart investment compared to expensive water damage repairs.

2. Multiple fixtures showing drainage issues

Your home’s drains act up all at once, which usually means there’s a blockage in the main sewer line. You need professional help right away if your sink, shower, and toilet start backing up simultaneously. These systemic symptoms show serious problems that regular household tools can’t fix.

3. Foul odors or sewage backup

Rotten egg or sulfur smells that won’t go away in your home are red flags for urgent plumbing problems. These odors typically signal sewer line blockages, broken vent pipes, or faulty toilet wax rings. Sewage backups create immediate health risks from harmful bacteria and pathogens. Professional plumbers have the right tools and knowledge to handle these contamination risks safely.

4. Need for sewer camera inspection

Camera inspections are a great way to get answers when the cause isn’t obvious. Professional cameras spot blockages, tree root intrusions, cracks, and pipe damage clearly. The footage shows exactly where problems are, so plumbers can create targeted repair plans instead of guessing at solutions. Many recurring toilet gurgling problems come from issues that only professional inspection equipment can detect.

Summary

Your toilet’s gurgling sound during washer drainage points to a plumbing problem you shouldn’t ignore. This piece explains how these noises come from pressure changes in your home’s plumbing system. Blockages, vent problems, or wrong installations usually cause these issues.

You’ll need to find the root cause to fix this properly. Simple DIY fixes like plunging or cleaning vent stacks often solve minor problems. On top of that, it helps to check washer drain setups and use lint traps to stop common issues before they start.

Notwithstanding that, some situations just need a pro, especially if multiple drains act up or you smell sewage. Professional plumbers have special tools like hydro-jetting systems and inspection cameras that work better than basic household tools.

Regular upkeep is without doubt your best shield against these problems coming back. A monthly drain cleaning with baking soda and vinegar keeps things flowing smoothly. Yearly pro inspections catch issues before they get pricey.

Note that following the “three Ps” rule for toilets and installing lint traps makes sense. These basic steps cut your risk by a lot of hearing that warning gurgle during wash cycles. Quick pro help matters when DIY fixes don’t work – repair costs now are nowhere near what water damage might cost later.