Why Does My Toilet Bubble When the Bathtub Drains?

Seeing or hearing bubbles in your toilet when the bathtub drains can be unsettling. While it may seem minor at first, this behavior often indicates an underlying plumbing issue that should not be ignored.

How Plumbing Drain Systems Work

Plumbing systems rely on proper airflow to maintain balanced pressure. Vent pipes allow air to enter the system so wastewater flows smoothly through drain lines.

When airflow is restricted, pressure changes can cause unusual symptoms such as bubbling toilets or slow drains.

Common Causes of Toilet Bubbling

The most common cause is a partial clog in the drain line. When water from the bathtub flows through the pipes, it pushes air backward, causing bubbles to appear in the toilet bowl.

Another potential cause is a blocked or improperly functioning vent pipe. Leaves, debris, or ice buildup can restrict airflow and disrupt normal drainage.

Sewer Line Concerns

In some cases, bubbling toilets may indicate a developing sewer line blockage. Early warning signs often appear in lower-level fixtures such as toilets or tubs.

Addressing sewer issues early helps prevent backups and more extensive repairs.

Why This Issue Should Not Be Ignored

Ignoring bubbling toilets can lead to complete drain blockages or wastewater backups. Early evaluation allows plumbers to locate restrictions and resolve them before the problem escalates.

Professional Inspection Provides Answers

A licensed plumber can inspect drains and venting systems using specialized tools to determine the cause. Correcting the issue restores proper drainage and prevents further damage.

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Introduction

Many plumbing problems start with what goes down the drain. While drains are designed to carry away water and waste, they are not built to handle everything homeowners put into them. Knowing what belongs in your drains and what does not can prevent clogs, sewer backups, and expensive repairs.

What Can Safely Go Down the Drain

In general, drains are designed for water and small amounts of biodegradable waste.

Kitchen sinks can handle water, soap residue, and small food particles that slip past strainers. Bathroom sinks and tubs are meant for water, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. Toilets should only receive human waste and toilet paper.

Even with approved materials, moderation matters. Excessive grease, soap buildup, or paper products can still cause issues over time.

Common Items That Should Never Go Down the Drain

Grease and cooking oil are among the biggest drain offenders. While liquid when warm, grease hardens as it cools and coats pipes, eventually creating blockages.

Food scraps like coffee grounds, eggshells, rice, and pasta swell or clump together and can clog pipes even if you have a garbage disposal.

In bathrooms, wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, and hygiene products should never be flushed. Many items marketed as flushable do not break down properly and often cause sewer blockages.

Hair is another major problem. It binds with soap residue and creates stubborn clogs in tub and shower drains.

Why Improper Disposal Causes Plumbing Damage

Improper materials restrict water flow and put pressure on your plumbing system. Over time, this can lead to pipe corrosion, joint failure, and sewer line backups. In severe cases, clogs can cause wastewater to back up into sinks, tubs, or basements.

Tips for Protecting Your Drains

Use drain strainers in kitchens and bathrooms to catch debris. Dispose of grease in sealed containers rather than pouring it down the sink. Educate household members on proper flushing habits. Schedule professional drain cleanings if you notice slow drainage or recurring clogs.

When to Call a Plumber

If drains clog frequently, gurgle, or emit odors, the issue may be deeper in the plumbing system. A professional plumber can identify and correct the problem before it worsens.

The post A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Clogs and Damage appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

Drain cleaning is a common plumbing service, but many homeowners are unsure what the process actually involves. Professional drain cleaning goes beyond clearing surface clogs and focuses on restoring full flow while protecting your pipes.

Initial Inspection

The plumber begins by assessing symptoms such as slow drainage, odors, or backups. In many cases, a camera inspection is used to identify the cause and location of the blockage.

Choosing the Right Method

Different clogs require different solutions. Common drain cleaning methods include:

• Drain snaking for localized blockages
• Hydro jetting for grease and buildup
• Root removal for sewer lines

Using the correct technique prevents pipe damage and ensures long-lasting results.

The Cleaning Process

Once the method is selected, the plumber removes debris, buildup, and obstructions from the pipe walls. Unlike chemical cleaners, professional methods clear the full diameter of the pipe.

System Testing

After cleaning, the plumber runs water through the system to confirm proper flow and ensure the blockage is fully removed.

Preventative Recommendations

Homeowners often receive guidance on maintenance practices to reduce future clogs, such as proper disposal habits and routine inspections.

Final Thoughts

Professional drain cleaning improves performance, reduces odors, and extends the life of your plumbing. It’s a proactive solution that prevents emergencies and costly repairs.

The post What Happens During a Professional Drain Cleaning Service appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

When cooking, it’s tempting to rinse leftover grease down the drain and forget about it. But even small amounts of grease can create major plumbing issues over time. What looks like a harmless liquid when hot transforms into a thick, sticky substance inside your pipes, leading to blockages and costly repairs. Understanding the effects of grease on your plumbing helps protect your drains and prevent emergency calls.

Why Grease Is So Harmful to Drains

Grease includes fats, oils, and other cooking residues from foods like bacon, butter, meat drippings, and frying oil. While these substances look fluid in the pan, they solidify when they cool. As grease travels through your pipes, it coats the interior walls, trapping debris such as food particles, coffee grounds, and soap scum. Over time, this buildup forms stubborn clogs that restrict or completely block water flow.

Grease Buildup Leads to Drain Clogs

A slow drain is often the first sign of grease accumulation. Symptoms include:

• Gurgling sounds
• Foul odors
• Water pooling in the sink
• Backups in connected fixtures

Grease clogs rarely resolve on their own. In many cases, professional drain cleaning becomes necessary to restore proper flow.

Grease Damages Your Plumbing System

Beyond clogs, grease can cause additional long-term damage:

• Pipe corrosion: Certain oils create acidic byproducts that gradually degrade pipes.
• Blockages in sewer lines: Grease collects with other waste and forms hardened masses.
• Septic system issues: Grease solidifies inside septic tanks, reducing capacity and requiring more frequent pumping.

Municipal sewer systems also struggle with grease accumulation, which contributes to expensive public infrastructure problems.

How Grease Impacts Your Home Beyond Plumbing

Grease buildup is unsanitary and contributes to:

• Persistent kitchen odors
• Insect attraction
• Mold and bacteria growth in drains
• Increased risk of sewage backups

Preventing grease entry into your pipes improves both cleanliness and safety in your home.

Proper Ways to Dispose of Grease

Instead of flushing grease down the drain, try these safe alternatives:

1. Let Grease Solidify

Pour grease into a disposable container, let it cool and harden, then throw it in the trash.

2. Wipe Pans Before Washing

Use a paper towel to remove excess grease before placing cookware in the sink.

3. Use a Grease Collection Jar

Reusable grease jars trap fats safely until you can dispose of them.

4. Avoid Garbage Disposal Misuse

Grease, fats, and oils should never go into the disposal—doing so accelerates buildup inside the unit and drain lines.

When to Call a Professional

If your drain is already slow or clogged, plumbers can perform:

• Hydro-jetting
• Professional snaking
• Drain line inspection
• Preventative maintenance

These treatments remove grease buildup safely and restore normal function.

Final Thoughts

Grease may seem insignificant when rinsed down the drain, but the long-term consequences can be serious. With simple disposal habits and preventative care, you can avoid clogs, foul odors, and plumbing repairs. Protect your home—and your pipes—by keeping grease where it belongs: out of the drain.

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For many households, coffee is a part of the daily routine. But what happens to the grounds once your cup is brewed? Some people rinse them down the sink, assuming they will break down easily. Unfortunately, coffee grounds are one of the biggest contributors to kitchen drain clogs. Even with a garbage disposal, they can create serious plumbing problems.

Understanding why coffee grounds don’t belong in the sink—and how to dispose of them safely—can save you from slow drains, backups, and expensive repairs.

Why Coffee Grounds Cause Drain Problems

Unlike food scraps that break down in water, coffee grounds don’t dissolve. They bind together, creating a dense, muddy paste that sticks to pipe walls. Over time, this buildup traps grease, soap residue, and other debris, forming stubborn clogs.

Even homes with garbage disposals aren’t safe. Grinding coffee grounds doesn’t make them harmless; it only creates finer particles that clump together more easily.

How Coffee Grounds Affect Your Plumbing System

1. Pipe Blockages

Coffee grounds accumulate over time, narrowing the inside of your pipes until water can no longer flow freely.

2. Garbage Disposal Damage

While they won’t break the blades, coffee grounds can overwhelm the disposal chamber and cause jams or slow grinding.

3. Septic System Stress

In septic systems, solids settle in the tank. Coffee grounds contribute to buildup and can shorten the tank’s lifespan or require more frequent pumping.

Signs Coffee Grounds Have Caused a Problem

• Slow-draining kitchen sink
• Gurgling sounds when water drains
• Foul odors coming from the disposal
• Water backing up in the other side of a double sink

These symptoms indicate buildup somewhere in the drain line.

Safe Ways to Dispose of Coffee Grounds

Trash:
The simplest method—just toss them in the garbage.

Composting:
Coffee grounds enrich compost with nitrogen and improve soil texture. Great for gardens.

Odor Absorbers:
Dried coffee grounds work as natural deodorizer for refrigerators, shoes, and trash cans.

What To Do If Coffee Grounds Have Already Caused a Clog

Start with gentle methods:

1. Flush the drain with hot water
2. Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda
3. Remove and clean the P-trap under the sink
4. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, which damage pipes

If the clog persists, a professional plumber can clear the line safely.

Final Thoughts

Coffee grounds should never go down the sink, even if you have a disposal. These small particles can cause big plumbing problems over time. By disposing of them properly and maintaining your drains, you’ll keep your kitchen plumbing running smoothly.

The post Should You Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink? What Homeowners Need to Know appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

A double kitchen sink is convenient—until water backs up from one side into the other. This messy and frustrating problem is almost always related to a blockage or airflow issue somewhere in the drain system. Understanding the cause helps you know whether to tackle the fix yourself or call a professional.

How a Double Sink Drain System Works

Double sinks share the same drain line. When one side is blocked or partially clogged, water has nowhere to go except into the opposite basin. This backup is a sign that the clog is deeper than just the surface.

Common Causes of Sink Backup

1. A Clog in the Shared Drain Line

Food particles, grease, coffee grounds, and soap buildup often create clogs in the section where the pipes join. Because both sink bowls share the same pipe, a clog sends water backward.

2. Grease Buildup

Pouring oil or grease down the sink—even in small amounts—causes thick buildup that traps debris. This is one of the most common culprits behind drainage issues.

3. Garbage Disposal Problems

If one side has a disposal, a jammed or clogged disposal can push water to the other side. Sometimes, the disposal impeller is stuck or the housing is blocked.

4. Airflow or Venting Issues

Plumbing vents allow air into the system so water can drain smoothly. If the vent is blocked, clogged, or improperly installed, water may gurgle or back up into the opposite sink bowl.

5. P-Trap Blockages

The curved pipe under the sink catches debris. When blocked, it slows drainage for the entire sink system.

How to Fix the Backup

Try These Steps First:

1. Run the garbage disposal to break up soft clogs.
2. Use boiling water to help melt grease buildup.
3. Use a plunger on each side of the sink to loosen blockages.
4. Check and clean the P-trap by removing it and clearing debris.

If these steps don’t work, the clog is further down the line.

Avoid Drain Cleaners

Chemical cleaners damage pipes over time and usually don’t dissolve serious clogs. They also create hazards for plumbers working on your pipes later.

When to Call a Plumber

You need professional help if:

• Both sides back up consistently
• Water is slow to drain after multiple attempts
• The disposal hums but doesn’t run
• You hear gurgling noises (sign of vent blockage)
• Water backs up even when nothing is running

A plumber can clear deep clogs, inspect vents, and ensure the entire system is flowing correctly.

Preventing Future Backups

• Never pour grease down the drain
• Use sink strainers
• Run hot water after using the disposal
• Clean the P-trap occasionally
• Schedule periodic drain maintenance

Final Thoughts

A double sink backing up into the other side is a clear sign of a drainage issue deeper in the system. With the right troubleshooting steps, you can often identify the cause and prevent future clogs. If backups continue, a professional plumber can clear the line and help restore smooth drainage.

The post Why Your Double Kitchen Sink Backs Up Into the Other Side appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

We’ve all dealt with a slow drain now and then — but ignoring it can lead to major plumbing problems. While it might seem harmless, that slow drain could be warning you about deeper issues in your system.

1. The Early Signs of Trouble

A slow drain usually starts with minor symptoms:

• Water pooling in your sink or tub
• Gurgling sounds from drains
• Foul odors rising from pipes

These symptoms often indicate buildup from soap, grease, or hair. But if it’s happening in multiple drains, the issue could be more serious — like a clogged main sewer line.

2. The Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Slow Drains

When drains slow down, water pressure increases behind the clog. Over time, this pressure can cause leaks or burst pipes. Slow drains can also lead to standing water, which attracts bacteria, mold, and even pests.

If you notice repeated blockages, it may signal a cracked pipe or tree root intrusion — problems that require professional inspection.

3. DIY Fixes vs. Professional Solutions

Many homeowners reach for chemical drain cleaners, but these harsh solutions can corrode pipes and worsen the problem. Instead, try natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar for minor clogs. For deeper issues, a professional drain cleaning is the safest and most effective choice.

4. How Professionals Fix the Problem

At Putman & Son’s Plumbing, we use advanced video inspection technology to locate blockages deep within your plumbing system. For stubborn clogs, our hydro jetting service uses high-pressure water to safely clear debris and restore flow — no chemicals, no damage.

5. Prevent Future Drain Problems

Preventive care is key:

• Avoid pouring grease down drains.
• Use drain strainers to catch hair and debris.
• Schedule annual drain inspections.

Don’t Ignore the Signs

A slow drain today could be a serious plumbing issue tomorrow. Don’t wait for water damage to strike — act early.

Call Putman & Son’s Plumbing at (248) 652-0990 or visit pnsplumbing.com for professional drain cleaning and inspection services.

The post When a Slow Drain Means a Bigger Plumbing Problem appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

Fat, oil, grease, and food particles are the primary causes of clogged drains in a kitchen. Using quality dish soap, hot water, and a properly installed garbage disposal can help keep these substances from building up inside your pipes. It is better to collect used oil in a container and throw it out than to try to pour it down your drains. Even if you wash it down with a lot of hot water, you will experience some build-up.

Hair and soap scum are the usual culprits when bathroom drains have become clogged. When we shower, we all shed hair, and the soap scum locks those wet clumps of hair into a drain clogging ball. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to use a drain strainer in your shower and insist that every member of your family cleans it out after they wash their hair.

If you use these simple tips to avoid clogged drains, you may be able to prevent backed-up sinks and tubs. For preventative maintenance, pour about two cups of vinegar down your drains once a week. You can also run a pot of boiling water down the drain after the vinegar.

If you wind up with a clog, you may be able to clear the drain yourself. The two tools that work best are plungers and snakes. A plunger will work in a sink as well as a toilet. Make sure that there is some hot soapy water in the sink so that the plunger can form a solid seal. A bent hanger or simple snake you get from the store can clear hair clogs that are within reach.

If you’re having ongoing problems with slow drains, or if you’ve got a clog that you can’t clear, we’re just a phone call away. Sometimes you need professional tools and techniques to open up stubborn drains.

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Chemical drain cleaners have gained plenty of media attention for their ability to clear clogged drains. Unfortunately, these advanced chemical mixtures are only a temporary solution and may be damaging your home.

The underlying cause for clogged drains is a buildup of material, which needs to be removed – something even the strongest of chemicals cannot do!

Environmental Impact

What we put down our drains has a direct impact on the environment. Using a chemical mix in any plumbing application means pouring toxic, often highly-powerful chemicals directly into common water outflows. In our region, these outflows are either filtered for use again or deposited into local streams and rivers. Not only does this have a major implication for marine life, but may also pollute the very water you use in your home.

But Chemicals Seem to Work?

Chemical drain-clearing products offer a quick fix to clogged drains as they remove a small layer of material. This small reduction appears to drastically improve flow for a short time given very little water could flow previously. These clogs typically return just days later since the core problem has not been resolved.

Damaged Pipes

Depending on the material of the pipes in your home, use of a chemical mix can wear pipes down and may eventually cause a leak. The quick fix of a chemical drain cleaner quickly loses its appeal in the face of expensive flooding repairs. Similar to taking care of our bodies by watching what we consume, we must treat our homes with respect and be careful not to damage its components with harsh chemical mixes.

The Proper Solution

Having a professional clear your pipes with proper equipment is the best long-term solution for clogged drains. The best problem solvers address the source at the issue, not just the visible symptoms.

Contact Putman & Son’s Plumbing for your clogged drains or for any of your plumbing needs.

#PutmanandSonsPlumbing #CloggedDrains

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Clogged drains can quickly become a nightmare scenario. Although it’s tempting to try and fix everything around your home on your own, it’s easy to cause irreversible damage when dealing with plumbing issues.

Types of Clogged Drains

Drains are used in our home’s toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks. Bathtub and shower drains can become clogged by a buildup of hair and soap scum, and may require tools like cable augers, closet augers, angled shafts, and plungers.

Kitchen sinks can also back up frequently, especially when they are paired with a garbage disposal. An excess amount of food waste will cause these drains to back up. Forcing more water and waste will only exacerbate the issue. Chemical drain cleaners available at home goods stores typically mask the problem and are generally ineffective in the long run.

Any blockage or clog that remains after applying light to medium force should be handled by a plumber. Using too much force will cause your pipes to break!

Signs of a Main Sewer Line Clog

The main sewer line is the plumbing which connects your home to the supporting system and transports waste away to the appropriate facilities for handling. Clogs within this line are caused by a backup of waste, making it difficult or impossible for your plumbing to function properly.

Main sewer line clogs are very serious and require an immediate response.

While backups and clogs in the main sewer line can occur naturally, they are typically the result of a nearby tree’s roots which have grown towards the line in search of moisture. If drains are clogged up regularly around your home for no apparent reason, a main sewer line clog could be the problem. Since all your home’s outflows rely on this line, any blockage whatsoever will cause issues throughout the entire system.

If you require help with a clogged drain, call Putman & Son’s Plumbing professional master plumbers 24/7 emergency hotline for a fast response within the Tri-county Michigan area.

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