If your toilet is bubbling or gurgling, especially after using other plumbing fixtures like a sink or bathtub, it’s often a sign of poor venting in your drainage system. One common cause? A missing or faulty Air Admittance Valve (AAV)—also known by the popular brand name Studor vent.
What Causes the Gurgling?
When water drains from one fixture, it creates suction in the pipes. Normally, a vent system allows air to enter, balancing the pressure and letting wastewater flow freely. If there’s no proper vent—or if a vent is blocked—air gets pulled through nearby drains (like your toilet), causing bubbling, gurgling sounds, or even sewer smells.
What Is an Air Admittance Valve?
An AAV is a mechanical valve that opens to let air into the drainage system when negative pressure is detected and then closes to prevent sewer gases from escaping. It’s commonly used when traditional venting through the roof isn’t practical or possible.
The Fix: Installing a Studor (AAV) Valve
Ultra Plumbing recently resolved a case where a client’s toilet was gurgling due to a missing AAV. After a quick inspection, we installed a Studor vent under the bathroom sink, restoring proper airflow to the system. Immediately, the gurgling stopped—and the client had peace of mind.
Conclusion
If your toilet bubbles when other fixtures are used, don’t ignore it—it could mean your plumbing system isn’t venting correctly. Installing an Air Admittance Valve is a simple and effective fix. At Ultra Plumbing, we specialize in diagnosing and resolving these hidden plumbing issues with fast, reliable service.
