Does your bathroom sink make gurgling noises when the toilet is flushed? Or worse still, do you notice water rising in either the toilet or the sink basin when the other is being used? This could be a sign of a plumbing problem.
This kind of issue will need to be resolved by a plumber or a drainage specialist. It’s just a matter of how urgent it is – whether you need to call someone out right now, or whether it can wait until you have more time to get it sorted.
Here, we’ll take a look at why basins back up into toilets (and vice versa) and what could potentially be causing this rather alarming and unhygienic problem. And crucially, what you should do about it.
Why does this problem happen?
The most likely cause of a sink basin backing up into a toilet is a clogged drain. Plumbing systems are typically designed so that all your bathroom fixtures – sinks, showers and baths in particular – are connected to one main waste pipe. This carries wastewater out of your home.
Toilets may be connected to sewage systems either via their own separate soil pipe, or through the same waste pipe as other bathroom fixtures.
So if one appliance is backing up into another, it strongly suggests that this central waste pipe has become clogged or obstructed in some way.
This could be due to a large build-up of hair, soap and shampoo from drains, or a blockage caused by flushing wet wipes (or other materials that are hard to break down easily) down the toilet. It could even be a combination of these factors.
Other potential causes could be:
- Vent pipe blockages, which cause slow water draining
- A problem with the main sewer line outside your home
- Cracked or blocked pipes running between your house and the mains sewage – this can often be caused by tree roots penetrating pipes and causing damage as they continue to grow.
Is it an emergency?
This kind of problem is pretty urgent, although perhaps not as much of an emergency as a burst pipe – which can lead to serious flooding.
It should be dealt with as quickly as possible, especially if you notice any of the following:
- Sewage smells coming from drains
- Water backing up frequently, or in multiple bathroom fixtures
- Actual raw sewage flowing up into fixtures.
Why you shouldn’t ignore it
The situation may not seem particularly urgent at the moment, but it’s important to remember that plumbing issues can escalate quickly.
If you ignore the issue or wait too long to get it fixed, you could be left facing serious water damage, health hazards from raw sewage, or burst or damaged pipes. The repair costs are likely to be much greater too.
So ultimately, taking action now will be cheaper and far less stressful than dealing with a full-blown backup.
What to do if your sink backs up into a toilet – or vice versa
If you notice any recurring issues with sinks or toilets backing up into each other, it’s best to call a plumber or drainage specialist right away.
Many companies offer an emergency response service for blocked soil stacks, simply because this kind of problem can present such serious health hazards.
While you wait for help to arrive, it’s best to stop using the affected fixtures. You can try DIY fixes for clogs like using a plunger or drain snake/rod, but it’s best to avoid chemical drain cleaners or any other measure that could potentially make things worse. If in doubt, always leave it to the experts.
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