Small Bubbles In Toilet After Flushing—What’s Wrong?

You want to ensure your toilet works correctly because you use it every day. But what if you see tiny bubbles after flushing the toilet? Is this normal? What does it mean and what should you do? Don't worry, we did the research to tell you what to do about it.

The main reason bubbles form after flushing the toilet is because air is present. A clogged toilet can create space for air pressure. You need to unclog the toilet to eliminate bubbles. In no particular order, review these methods to unclog the toilet.

  1. Plunge the toilet.
  2. Use a declogging mixture.
  3. Use a declogger stick or snake to pull out the waste.
  4. Open the septic tank to remove the waste.
  5. Replace the drainage pipe.

Throughout this article, you'll learn ways to fix a bubbling toilet. We'll tackle what causes this to happen, and how to prevent it. We have so much more to share with you. So, you'll want to read to the end!

Flushing toilet bowl on classic bathroom, Small Bubbles In Toilet After Flushing—What's Wrong?

Declogging A Toilet And Why It Bubbles

The presence of bubbles on toilet water is due to air mixing with water. Usually, this is a strong indication of clogging.

Doing maintance on toilet bowl

It's important to declog the toilet to keep the bathroom air safe. Declogging improves the flow of waste materials into the sewage system. Below, we covered ways you can remove a toilet clog.

1. Using a Plunger

A plunger is a tool that is typically comprised of a wooden rod with a rubber suction cup on one end.

The suction cup will force the toilet water to flow rapidly, causing the waste to sink.

However, the effectiveness of a plunger depends on the material that caused the clog. For instance, a bath soap may dissolve naturally in the toilet, but a cloth will remain.

Doing maintance on toilet bowl

Using a plunger to force the cloth to sink can worsen the situation. You need to identify first what caused the clog. We'll discuss later in this article the causes of a clogged toilet.

Use a plunger by pushing it repeatedly against the toilet water. Just make sure you wear a mask to avoid inhaling waste.

See this plunger on Amazon.

2. Use a Declogging Mixture

It's also good to use a declogging mixture. It should be able to dissolve most waste materials, depending on the manufacturer.

Simply pour the unclogging mixture on the toilet based on the instructions of use. However, we're sharing with you a cheaper way to make a DIY declogging mixture. Prepare the following items.

Baking Soda

Baking soda contains carbon dioxide that helps bread rise. However, you can use baking soda to unclog the toilet by expanding the airspace. It will cause the water to fill up where there is space.

See this baking soda on Amazon.

Vinegar

Another common household item is vinegar, which is good at dissolving stains and killing bacteria. It can ease hard waste and stop the odor from evaporating.

See this cleaning vinegar on Amazon.

Hot Water

It's advisable to use hot water to loosen a clog. It can also improve the concentration of vinegar.

Now, follow these steps to apply your DIY declogging mixture.

  1. Combine baking soda and vinegar in a cup, and then pour the solution into the toilet.
  2. Close the toilet and leave it for at least an hour.
  3. Pour hot water into the toilet and flush it. Repeat the steps if the first attempt does not drain the waste.

3. Pulling Out the Waste

Another effective way to remove the waste is to pull it out. You can use an auger or snake designed for toilets.

Pulling out the waste is actually safer for the toilet than dissolving or pumping. Be sure to dispose of the pulled out waste properly, especially if it's a solid like cloth or plastic sachets.

See this toilet snake on Amazon.

4. Opening the Septic Tank

You may end up opening the septic tank. Be sure to get permission from the local authorities, specifically if the septic tank is publicly shared with the neighborhood.

A septic tank stores waste flushed from the toilet. It connects with nearby drainage. Eventually, the waste will get sucked out and carried away.

It's necessary to open the septic tank to unload the waste manually. This is not a DIY option, but you may use this technique when the clog is too severe.

5. Replace Drainpipes

This may be the final option for unclogging the toilet. You can replace the drainpipes to ensure that the flow of wastewater is renewed, and all solid wastes get removed. Consult an expert for an accurate assessment of your toilet's condition before the replacement.

Why Does Your Toilet Have A Clog?

use plunger to remove excess dirt or flush excess dirt

A clogged toilet is quite inconvenient. Fix it right away to prevent further issues. Refer to the reasons below for why your toilet has a clog.

Improper Pipe Size

Doing maintance on toilet bowl

It's important to have the right size of pipes that properly fit the toilet. Overly tight pipes are risky because the water pressure becomes higher. Also, pipes that are too wide can increase the water level and slow flushing.

It's practical to assess the size of the pipes before you install a toilet. But for existing pipes, you'll need an expert to get the correct measurements and replace them.

Lack of Water

Doing maintance on toilet bowl

A toilet that lacks water seems dry, and it might be difficult to trace the cause. However, a low water level in the toilet bowl usually means there's a leak somewhere in the plumbing system.

If you try to add water, it will flush right away. You need to look for cracks or clogs that are stopping the water from rising to its normal level.

Try checking the drainpipes for cracks where the water exits. This might lead to a serious problem that can cause severe leakage along the edges of the toilet floor. Call an expert to fix such an issue.

Thick Liquid

You should not flush any foreign liquid down the toilet, like shampoo, beverages, or oil. These foreign liquids can thicken the toilet water, which will slow down the draining process.

You can use hot water and a de-clogging solution to dissolve these thick chemicals.

See this de-clogging solution on Amazon.

Solid Wastes

Never flush solid waste, as this will obviously clog the toilet. It's self-explanatory that solid waste, like plastic sachets, papers, or even food residue, should not go through a toilet's drainpipes.

However, you can pull out these solid wastes, as we've discussed above in this article.

More Reasons Why The Toilet Bubbles

Aside from clogging, there are other reasons a toilet bubbles. See the list below and what solutions are possible.

Broken Cistern

The cistern, or toilet tank, supplies water for flushing. Check to see if it's broken or clogged. Check the flapper and hoses.

You might need a replacement cistern if it is seems severely broken. Consult a professional to help you replace it.

A Blocked Toilet Vent

A toilet vent is a long pipe that directs the sewer gas to the open space up above the roof. If the vent is clogged, the air pressure will fill in the drainage pipes and force the water to flow back into the bathroom.

You can open the toilet vent and remove any blockages. You may also clean it to ensure smooth airflow.

Problems In The Main Sewage System

Have you asked your neighbors if they are experiencing the same problem with their toilets? Maybe the main sewage system is clogged. If that's the case, take this matter seriously and report it to the authorities.

The sewage system is a collection of interconnected drainpipes shared by a community. If the sewage system overflows, it can create multiple problems and is truly a plumbing disaster. One way to help is to reduce using the toilets until authorities take action to correct the issue.

What Is a Sewer Gas?

cleaning maintenance of a toilet

Sewer gas comes from the main sewage system evaporating to escape through the toilet. Sewer gas can fill the bathroom, resulting in a foul smell. It only happens when there's a scant amount of water in the toilet and the S-trap is not holding the water.

An S-trap is a type of pipe curved into the letter 'S' to trap water and block sewer gas from rising. Without an S-trap, the toilet will not have water and is useless at all.

However, you can use a scented spray to eliminate sewer gas odor.

See this bathroom scent spray on Amazon.

Conclusion

Flushing toilet bowl on classic bathroom

You've learned that a clog usually causes bubbles in the toilet after flushing. So, we provided helpful methods and steps to unclog the toilet.

Also, we've discussed why your toilet has a clog and how to prevent that from happening. Remember, never flush solid waste down the toilet.

And lastly, we also talked about water conservation techniques and what sewer gas is. Don't forget to flush the toilet after each use.

Do you want to learn more? We hope you'll like these:

Should You Caulk The Toilet To The Floor?

How To Clean Toilet Siphons

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