Gurgling sound from plumbing pipes inside walls (Cary: house, drywall)

[SteelerFanNC]

Hello,

We hear loud gurgling sounds from what seems to be the plumbing pipes inside the walls of our house, whenever we flush the toilet, whether it is upstairs toilet, or downstairs powder room toilet. (it sounds almost like a 'wroom wroom' sound while the tank is filling up) Wondering if this is an indication of drain blockage, or could be something else ?

How complicated is it to diagnose these pipes inside walls? Can a normal plumber diagnose/fix these problems ? or do I need a specialist ? Can any one provide recommendations for a reliable and experienced plumber who can deal with these kind of problems ?

Appreciate any insights.

Thank you!

[Esteban Dime]

Plastic plumbing makes a lot more noise than metal. If it flushes properly, most likely just the bowel wash stream while the tank refills.

You might have an airlock if something has gotten into the vent on the roof. That is the most likely scenario.

[m378]

Our pex piping makes so much noise. Any time you run water, the expansion of the pipe causes a dripping sound in the walls. Makes it hard to figure out when you actually have a leak

[boardjnky4]

definitely a venting issue. Air needs somewhere to go as the pipes drain, so it goes up. You're just hearing the bubbles make their way up.

Have you ever noticed that your toilet bowl bubbles?

[carcrazy67]

Has it always made this noise or is it something new? Plastic drain line is typically very noisy.

[danielbmartin]

Originally Posted by carcrazy67

Plastic drain line is typically very noisy.

Quite right.

Best Practice calls for using cast iron waste pipe, at least in the wall between the upper story floor and the lower story floor. In addition, the cast iron is surrounded by fiberglas insulation, the same material used in exterior walls as thermal insulation. It serves as sound insulation.

Tract builders don't always follow Best Practice.

Quieting Drainpipes | Plumbing | Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical | This Old House

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[C_Lan]

Originally Posted by danielbmartin

Quite right.

Best Practice calls for using cast iron waste pipe, at least in the wall between the upper story floor and the lower story floor. In addition, the cast iron is surrounded by fiberglas insulation, the same material used in exterior walls as thermal insulation. It serves as sound insulation.

Tract builders don't always follow Best Practice.

Quieting Drainpipes | Plumbing | Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical | This Old House

.

I have a cast iron pipe going from upstairs to downstairs along my master bedroom wall. I surrounded it with insulation and it does not help as much as I'd like. I wish that I had wedged drywall in between the studs instead.

[Supernc42]

Originally Posted by SteelerFanNC

Hello,

We hear loud gurgling sounds from what seems to be the plumbing pipes inside the walls of our house, whenever we flush the toilet, whether it is upstairs toilet, or downstairs powder room toilet. (it sounds almost like a 'wroom wroom' sound while the tank is filling up) Wondering if this is an indication of drain blockage, or could be something else ?

How complicated is it to diagnose these pipes inside walls? Can a normal plumber diagnose/fix these problems ? or do I need a specialist ? Can any one provide recommendations for a reliable and experienced plumber who can deal with these kind of problems ?

Appreciate any insights.

Thank you!

We are empty nesters and the second bathroom rarely gets used. The bathtub in there tends to have the trap dry out. All of the water evaporates and you hear the noise of everything in the house running into the septic. Run water in each and every sink or tub that may be under used to see if this helps.

[SteelerFanNC]

Thank you all for the useful and insightful tips! I called Cary Plumbing to take a look at, and they told me its nothing serious, but caused by the pressure valve. They adjusted it a bit, and the gurgling sound is substantially down now.