Gurgling sound ?

[dj1701]

In the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a gurgling sound every once in a while like a bunch of air just came to the surface.
It has been driving me nuts because I could not pinpoint the source. I think It is coming from the utility room where my bladder tank and water heater are located.
Could it be a bad bladder tank that could make that noise?

Dave

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Sounds like a drain "burp". Our house does it periodically usually after doing several loads of clothes.

 

[masseyrider]

Few years back my sump pump failed during the early spring thaw.
I was in a rush to replace it before the water started to invade the basement and my hands were frozen working with things in the ice cold water.
I installed the pump without the foot valve with the intent of doing it at a later date.
Now when the sump pump kicks in I can hear the water gurling in the hose that takes it outside and then the wash back when it's done.
I like it because it confirms the pump is working without having to go down stairs to check on it. I've decided to leave it the way it is.
Could it be your sump pump's foot valve allowing water to drain back?

 

[MossRoad]

In the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a gurgling sound every once in a while like a bunch of air just came to the surface.
It has been driving me nuts because I could not pinpoint the source. I think It is coming from the utility room where my bladder tank and water heater are located.
Could it be a bad bladder tank that could make that noise?

Dave

I'd suspect semi-blocked venting somewhere.

 

[dj1701]

Few years back my sump pump failed during the early spring thaw.
I was in a rush to replace it before the water started to invade the basement and my hands were frozen working with things in the ice cold water.
I installed the pump without the foot valve with the intent of doing it at a later date.
Now when the sump pump kicks in I can hear the water gurling in the hose that takes it outside and then the wash back when it's done.
I like it because it confirms the pump is working without having to go down stairs to check on it. I've decided to leave it the way it is.
Could it be your sump pump's foot valve allowing water to drain back?

I don't have a basement or sump pump.

 

[dj1701]

Sounds like a drain "burp". Our house does it periodically usually after doing several loads of clothes.

Never happened in the last 17 years I have been here.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I think my burps are coming from the vent in the drain.

 

[Oaktree]

Is there a refrigerator nearby? Some make some really odd noises while in defrost cycle.

 

[MossRoad]

Never happened in the last 17 years I have been here.

Do you have a septic tank?

 

[5030]

Few years back my sump pump failed during the early spring thaw.
I was in a rush to replace it before the water started to invade the basement and my hands were frozen working with things in the ice cold water.
I installed the pump without the foot valve with the intent of doing it at a later date.
Now when the sump pump kicks in I can hear the water gurling in the hose that takes it outside and then the wash back when it's done.
I like it because it confirms the pump is working without having to go down stairs to check on it. I've decided to leave it the way it is.
Could it be your sump pump's foot valve allowing water to drain back?

Did the same thing actually but I installed a vacuum breaker in the output line between the sump pump and where it exits from the basement. simply because I don't want the driain line to back siphon as it's quite a long run from the crock to the creek aout back.

The 'gurgle could be anything from the sump pump (of he has one) to a slow drain. The OP needs to investigate the sound and be more specific.

 

[dj1701]

Do you have a septic tank?

Yes I do but it's on the other side of the house from where the sound seems to be coming from.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yes I do but it's on the other side of the house from where the sound seems to be coming from.

Doesnt matter if there is a drain that connects to the septic in the same room.

I agree with MossRoad, as he probably suspects there is an issue with the septic.

The inlet at the first baffle is clogged, or the outlet to the distribution box is clogged, or the leach field is draining too slow.. could also just be a clogged main vent.

I had the same 'gurgling' sound twice. Once it turned out to be roots growing into the tank at the inlet clogging it.

The second time was squirrels throwing nuts down my vent stack, clogging it. Though that time it was more 'normal' sounding in that it pulled air during major water drain events, like the washer draining.

 

[MossRoad]

Gurgling, to me at least, means a slug of water wants to push past a slug of air. That's why I'd lean towards a venting issue.

Could be something simple like leaves in the vent, dead squirrel, etc... or not. Who knows? Anyhow, I'd investigate that first.

We started getting gurgling drains in our house. Come to find out the last owners installed a vent pipe from basement through the roof, but didn't secure it well, so it slid down about 3". That caused water to pool at the bottom of the vent pipe elbow, as it was the lowest point after it slipped. Every time we'd drain a sink or tub, eventually it would pull a slug of air through that pool and gurgle. I pushed the vent pipe back up from the basement and strapped it good. No more gurgles.

Good luck finding the culprit. With pipes, a sound you hear somewhere can be coming from across the house.

 

[MossRoad]

In the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a gurgling sound every once in a while like a bunch of air just came to the surface.
It has been driving me nuts because I could not pinpoint the source. I think It is coming from the utility room where my bladder tank and water heater are located.
Could it be a bad bladder tank that could make that noise?

Dave

If you have some help, you could have them fill all of your sinks and tub while standing in the area where you hear the noise. If no noises, then drain everything at once.

If it makes noises while you're filling that's different than making noises while you're draining. Might help to narrow down the source?

 

[MossRoad]

Have you noticed any water pressure changes, or a shorter period of time between pump cycles? That might indicate bladder tank issues. But I've never heard a bladder tank gurgle. If the bladder failed, I'd guess the pump would cycle more frequently, but don't see how it would gurgle.

 

[skipmarcy]

Water heaters will make similar noises if you have sediment build-up getting close to the lower element and/or an anode rod gone.

 

[BackRoad]

Any chance you have bird nests built recently in your vent pipes.

 

[dj1701]

Water heaters will make similar noises if you have sediment build-up getting close to the lower element and/or an anode rod gone.

I replaced the rod and heating elements, but that was years ago. It does seem to be working ok.

 

[dj1701]

I have not heard the noise in a while. Still don't know the location.

 

[ponytug]

I replaced the rod and heating elements, but that was years ago. It does seem to be working ok.

Most water heater owner's manuals suggest an annual or more frequent inspection and replacement depending on condition. It might be worth looking.

All the best, Peter