Bathroom Sink Gurgling & Bubbling

This hub covers bubbling, gurgling, or air movement noises coming from a bathroom sink drain.

These sounds often relate to venting issues, downstream blockages, or pressure changes.

Use the groups below to match when the gurgling occurs.

See the broader sub-category for mechanics and drainage issues: Bathroom Sink Mechanics & Drainage

Gurgling after draining or flushing

Noise tied to water leaving other fixtures.

Sink gurgles after draining

Focuses on gurgling that follows normal sink use, often pointing to a partial obstruction in the trap or immediate drain line creating air displacement.
Sink gurgles when toilet flushes

Covers cases where a toilet flush causes sink noise, typically indicating a shared drain or venting problem allowing air to move through the sink trap.
Sink gurgles when shower runs

Explains why shower drainage can trigger sink gurgling, commonly due to downstream restrictions or inadequate venting between fixtures.
Sink gurgles when washer drains

Describes gurgling linked to washer discharge, which often means the laundry drain ties into the same line and creates pressure or air flow back through the sink.

Noise that appears only sometimes or at certain times.

Bathroom sink bubbles at night

Looks at gurgling that happens at night, which can be caused by reduced house water use changing pressure or slow drains that only show symptoms at certain times.
Gurgling only sometimes

Provides troubleshooting for intermittent gurgling, suggesting diagnostic steps to catch the conditions that trigger the noise.
Sink gurgles after city outage

Explains how pressure changes from a water outage or restoration can leave air pockets or alter vent function, producing temporary gurgling.
Bubbles appear after long vacation

Addresses gurgling that starts after extended vacancy, often related to dried seals, trapped air, or minor buildup that shifts when flow resumes.

Gurgling that begins after work is done.

Gurgling after remodel

Looks at noise that starts after remodeling and suggests checking new connections, slope, and vent continuity for installation errors.
Sink bubbles after plumbing repair

Covers cases where repairs introduce air or alter flow paths; guidance focuses on verifying trap seals and that vents were not blocked.
Gurgling started after replacing P-trap

Discusses gurgling following trap replacement, commonly due to improper trap configuration, incorrect outlet height, or loose connections.
Gurgling after winterization

Explains how winterization procedures can introduce air or change seals and why that might cause post-winter gurgling when systems are reactivated.

Noise tied to walls or specific areas.

Gurgling from wall cavity

Covers gurgling that seems to come from inside a wall, which may indicate concealed drain lines, venting issues, or airflow in wall chases.
Sink gurgles only upstairs

Focuses on upstairs-only gurgling, suggesting differences in venting, fixture stacking, or slope that affect upper-level drains.