Solved: Your Sink Gurgles and Six Other Top Plumbing Issues

Backed-up sinks. Discolored water. Leaks. These issues may sound frightening, but the truth is they’re frequent problems in many homes. In fact, lots of them can be solved with just a few easy steps.

With the proper tools and skills, you can save yourself time—and money—by tackling these issues yourself. Plus, understanding how to resolve common problems will help you tell when the issue is more involved and best solved by a professional.

So, don't let a clogged drain or a leaky faucet get you down—with the right info, it's easy to fix ordinary plumbing problems all by yourself. We’ll take a look at a couple of frequent plumbing issues and how you can take care of them.

1. Why Won't My Sink Stop Gurgling?

If you’re noticing a gurgling sound coming from your sink, it may be an indication of air or water trapped in the pipes. This can take place if there is a blockage in the pipes, or if a plumbing vent has become plugged or disconnected.

Fortunately, this issue is not too difficult to solve:

• First, try using a plunger to remove any blockages that may be generating the gurgling sound.
• If a plunger doesn't loosen the clog, you can try using a drain snake to clean out particles from the pipe. Lastly, if your plumbing vent is blocked or disconnected, make sure to reconnect it and search for any other obstructions.

If you’re still having problems, it may be best to phone an experienced plumber in Albuquerque. They can help determine the underlying cause of the issue and provide you with answers.

2. Why Is My Sink Not Draining?

If a sink isn't draining, usually that’s due to something clogging up the drainpipe. However, it may also be a result of a larger concern with your plumbing system.

Common reasons why the water in your sink won’t drain:

• Blocked or clogged pipes: Gradually, hair, food scraps, grease, animal fats and other items can accumulate in the pipes, causing a blockage that prevents the water from draining.
• Broken seals: If the sink’s rubber seals are cracked or busted, they may not be creating an effective seal around the drain to keep out air and permit the water to drain.
• Crud in the trap: The curved pipe under the sink, called a P-trap, can become blocked with debris or form leaks which prevent it from draining properly.
• Blocked vent pipe: An obstruction in a vent pipe, which allows gas to escape your plumbing system, might stop your sink from draining. Vents can be blocked by debris where they leave your home.

To clear a pipe, try using a plunger to move the obstruction through the line. If that doesn’t work, consider using a plumbing snake to retrieve and pull out hair or other debris and allow the water to move through. Other strategies are to try baking soda and vinegar or a drain-cleaning product to break down the clog.

Depending on your plumbing setup, you may have the ability to check for a blockage in the P-trap, which is a bend in the pipe underneath your sink. This is accomplished by taking apart the pipe and clearing the line. To do this, first switch the faucet off and place a bucket under the bend. Then, take the pipe apart and retrieve any debris. Once it’s clear, put the pipe back together and rinse with hot water.

If trying to clear the line and P-trap doesn't clear the blockage, check where your drain vent extrudes from your house to make sure it isn’t blocked by debris such as leaves, dirt or even a nest by an misguided bird or other animal. If this also doesn’t work, you may have to get in touch with a skilled professional for plumbing repair in Albuquerque to make sure there isn’t a more substantial problem with your plumbing.

3. Why Is the Water from My Sink So Cloudy?

Most of the time, cloudy or white-looking water is due to air bubbles in the water. This is normally harmless and can often clear up on its own. It may be because of a water company doing work on the lines, or a neighborhood construction project.

One way to determine if cloudy water is caused by air bubbles is to fill a glass of water and then leave it on the countertop. It’s likely that the air bubbles will go away and the water will eventually clear. If the water is still cloudy after 24 hours, you may have another problem and will want to consult a professional for assistance.

The cloudy water also could be caused by high levels of minerals in the water in the plumbing system. Excessive minerals accumulate until they affect the water’s appearance and taste, in which case a water softener may be of assistance in fixing the problem. It can prevent hard-water buildup from ruining your pipes and creating the distasteful cloudy water.

If cloudy water is a persistent problem, consider cleaning off the aerator, which is a screen at the end of your faucet. Use a water and vinegar mixture to clear away any debris or buildup. If that doesn’t work either, you might want to consult a professional plumber and let them find a solution.

4. Why Is My Sink Leaking/Dripping?

The reason for a leak or water drip beneath a sink is usually because a plumbing fixture has failed or malfunctioned. Occasionally, it’s caused by a clog blocking the line.

Here are several of the more typical causes of sink leaks and how you can repair them:

• Loose Connections: One of the most frequent causes of a leak underneath the sink is due to loose connections between pipes, fixtures and hoses. If any component has not been properly tightened, or if it was not sealed all the way in its fitting, water can quickly escape from these weak spots.
• Worn-Out Washers: After a while, the washer in a sink fixture can become worn out and fail to create an adequate seal. If you notice water seeping from the sides of the handle or base of the faucet, it’s very likely that a new washer is required.
• Corroded Pipes: The pipes underneath a sink can wear down over time, causing deterioration and cracks. Corrosion is especially common when working with older or lower-cost materials, so it's important to keep an eye out for any warning signs of degradation in order to avoid a major leak.
• Plugged Drains: A clogged drain can make water back up and start leaking from the seal. It's essential to look for any evidence of blockage and to clear away any debris that may be restricting water flow.

5. Why Is My Sink Water Brown?

The most widespread factor that leads to brown tap water is rust. Rust normally comes from elevated levels of iron in the water, which could be the result of corroded pipes or worn-out fixtures. Rust may also show up when sediment accumulates. Buildup may appear if the filtration system is declining or there are high levels of minerals like manganese.

In some cases, the water can be discolored from silt or clay particles that have been stirred up from work on the water line or your plumbing. If you buy your water from a municipal utility company, be sure to contact them to inform them of the discoloration. They will hopefully be able to notify you if there has been any recent activity on the water lines.

An experienced plumber in Albuquerque can help you figure out if the discoloration is originating from a rusting pipe that needs to be replaced, or if a filtration system may clear up the unsightly problem.

6. Why Is My Sink Draining Slower Than It Used to?

The most widespread cause for a sink to drain slow is a partial blockage in the pipes. Hair and soap residue are likely suspects for a clogged bathroom sink, while food particles and grease—along with soap scum—often are at fault for kitchen sink clogs.

Three ways you can fix a clogged sink include:

• Plunger: One method to remove a partial clog is to use a plunger. If you don't see any standing water in the sink, turn on the faucet to put in enough water to cover the drain. Then, use the plunger to attempt to dislodge the clog.
• Plumbing snake/weasel: If a plunger doesn’t work, you may need a plumbing snake—a long, thin piece of plastic—to put down your pipe to attach to the clog so you can extract it manually. Sometimes, these are known as plumbing weasels.
• Chemical Clog Remover: Many chemical clog removers on the market break up blockages in sink pipes. Be certain to follow all directions, and that the remover won’t damage your home’s pipes or the basin in your sink.