[perch]

New to this, but from what I have read, this is the right place to be.

New Home, so I would assume that there is no clogging.

When we flush a toilet in one bathroom (upstairs), gurgling occurrs. We can hear it from the shower drains (both of the upstairs' showers). Air pockets are emitted from the other toilet (also upstairs).

There is a large whirlpool tub in one of the upstairs bathrooms. When drained, air pockets are released through the other bathroom's toilet. Some of the toilet water will splash out of the bowl and we can hear a gurgling noise down the drain of the shower in the same bathroom as the whirlpool tub.

Recently, I have smelled a bad odor from one of the showers that we never use (because there are no shower doors/wall). This is the same shower drain that we hear gurgling when the toilet is flushed.

This might be related or not. The toilets do not flush all the way unless we hold the "flusher" down until we see the water starting to swirl. The water level in the toilets are fine (1/2 inch below the filled line).

Once again, I am new to this and I do not want a careless plumber to clain that all of this is normal. We have a 1 year guarantee on the house.

Thanks

[speedball1]

"New Home, so I would assume that there is no clogging."

You can't assume that and from all indications you, indeed do have a partial clog. Everything you have told me points to a partial clog downstream from the upstairs toilets.

"Recently, I have smelled a bad odor from one of the showers that we never use (because there are no shower doors/wall)."

If you do not use a fixture the trap seal will evaporate and allow sewer gas to escape. For unused traps I recommend filling the trap with motor oil to prevent evaporation.

The reason that a tank lever has to be held down so the weight of the water forces a flush is caused by backpressure set up in the line at the time at the time of the flush. The answer is to snake out the vent that services the last fixture in the line that belches, bubbles or gurgles. Good luck. Tom

[perch]

Thanks

I called the plumber to see what he would say. I didn't tell him what you said.

He asked if the vent was capped and it appears that it is. Could that also be a solution?

[speedball1]

He asked if the vent was capped and it appears that it is. Could that also be a solution?

A blocked vent would do it all right. Have the plumber come out, (at his expense) and remove the vent cap. Good luck, Tom