In lots of sinks that I've used, I've noticed that the water makes a gurgling sound when it has all disappeared down the drain – however, the gurgling sound can only be heard after all of the water has gone – it's not noticeable when the sink tap is still running. Why can the gurgling sound only be heard when all of the water has disappeared – and not before?
Water – Why can the gurgling sound of water only be heard when it’s disappeared down a drain, and not before
drainsinkwater
Related Topic
- How to reduce the sound of the HVAC condensation drain
- Electrical – gurgling sound in the power vent pipe
- Plumbing – How to unclog cast iron T drain for three sinks
- Water – With lever-style taps, why is cold water only added to the mix the further up the tap is pushed
- Water – Farm Sink Drain Installation
- Why won’t the kitchen sink drain? Disposal is working but when I run it water backs up into single sink
- Why does one of the bathroom sinks drain slowly when the water is running, but drains quickly when filled and drained
Best Answer
This happens on direct vented fixtures that have no actual vent; they're close enough to the stack (<5') not to need one.
And when there's a 'head' of water above the trap while the water's running, there's too much suction to let any air in, so it pulls air down the stack. Once it has less 'head' it's easier to pull air past the water in the trap then it is to pull it down the stack. : gurgle gurgle
Basically, when water travels down a vented pipe, it creates an air pressure differential. The make-up air will take the path of least resistance. Be that, pushing a little bit of water out of the trap to make an air gap, or pulling it all the way back down from the roof.