[jmm3636]

On my home's second floor, I have a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. Whenever I run water in the sink, the sound of draining water can be heard from the shower's drain. This is new - should I be concerned? Thnaks in advance.

[massplumber2008]

Hey Jmm:

If this is new sound, then yes you have an issue there for sure.

Sounds like the water in the shower p-trap is getting siphoned out of trap for some reason. It is a health concern because sewer gasses are escaping and that is not good.

Traps can siphon for a number of reasons... start by removing the shower drain strainer (PUT SCREWS in cup outside shower so they don't fall in drain) and actually look down inside the drain. If it is super messy with hair, soap, etc... then clean it out real good (use a coat hanger with hooked end to start) and flush clean.

If drain not too messy, then may be that there is a vent that is clogged and will need to be cleared in order to stop the shower trap from siphoning.

Also, could be that drain line is getting clogged and siphoning the trap. To test this, flush toilet, run sink, see if any bubbling occurs or if water starts to back up in shower..? Be patient, listen to shower drain... watch drain... if bubbles, gurgles, etc... then may be clogged drain or vent.

Start at strainer... move forward from there... let us know what you find as you go along... good luck... Mark

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you.

[ballengerb1]

I totally agree with Mark, your trap is becoming dry and that's not good. Unless you have water leaks in ceilings I am going with a bad vent stack. Go on the roof with a 1/2" snake 20 ' longer than the roof to basement distance. Rod the entire distance and follow with a good long dose with the garden hose.

[superplumber]

Sounds like that sower does not get used to often, if that's the case run your shower for a few minutes every two weeks to keep the trap primed. Good luck:)

[jmm3636]

Thanks guys. And yes, super, we don't use that shower at all anymore, we use the one on the first floor instead. We quit using the shower because we had ceiling leaks and are going to rip out this old shower stall and have someone install a new stall will tile. I figured that we would get a pulmber to fix whatever is leaking when we have the stall out.

[massplumber2008]

So like SP suggested, just fill the trap with water (every couple weeks) and should stop that noise you hear when running sink. Good luck.

[ballengerb1]

Hey Mark, jmm says he has had leaks frim that shower all along so I'm not going with the simple suggestion from SP. Sure traps can evaporate but the shower isn't used because it leaks. Luckily jmm plans to do a tear out, maybe he'll be back someday with questions on that one. You know how I like installing shower pans and tile. LOL

[jmm3636]

Oh no, I can do demo, but I'm leaving an install to the pros.

[ballengerb1]

Are you sure jmm, remodeling baths is our specialty and we can save you a few grand.

[jmm3636]

Well, let's see how I do with this drain issue first. Baby steps for me.

[jmm3636]

BTW, do you guys think that it is likely that the drain noise I now hear is related to the initial shower leak problem. I guess I don't have too much information on that other than the noise. I have a pretty steep roof, so I'll wiat until this weekend to look at the vent. That way, if I fall off, someone will be there to call the paramedics :)

[massplumber2008]

Jmm:

Don't go up on roof yet!

When you ran the shower to fill the shower trap with water... did you test (by running water in sink) to see if you still heard noises afterwards..

Test this... get back to us. Then we can also tell you how to isolate the leak at your shower as well.. ;)

Get back to us... Mark

[ballengerb1]

Mark, Speedball1 and I are always here along with many other good folks.

[jmm3636]

I tried the coathanger, but the hanger was a little firm for making it around the bend. I also ran a snake through the shower for a few feet and didn't come back with anything.

I poured a 2 gallon bucket of warm water down the shower drain. I don't know if this is a problem that I did this instead of running water from the shower head. The water drained, but there is some standing water at the bottom of the drain afterward, I guess that is normal in the p trap. After I did this, I didn't hear the loud draining noise when I flushed the toilet and ran water in the sink. I did notice a slight ripple in the standing water at the bottom of the drain.

So the sound is gone, for now, so maybe that roof trip isn't around the corner after all.

[ballengerb1]

This won't hurt and could possible help just a bit. Mix 1/2 cup of table salt with same amount of baking soda and dump in the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Stand back and enjoy. Tomorrow flush with a big bucket of really hot water. If nothing else you had some fun and learned mom's receipe.

[massplumber2008]

Ripples OK.. bubbling/gurgling not so good!

Try what balleneger recommended to help clear/flush drain better. Then keep that trap wetted every week or two until resolve the shower issue.

When ready to determine where leak is at shower let us know, there are a few tests we can recommend that should help to isolate it!

Keep us posted... Mark

[jmm3636]

I'll start taking pictures of the shower project, once I start it. I'll try the colvano tonight.

[ballengerb1]

Jmm you type just like me, msot for the time

[jmm3636]

I was writing "hte" before it was cool.

[massplumber2008]

You know... that's funny guys! I swear when I read "CALVANO"... I thought BOB had named his CONCOCTION... :D

I had to reread his post.. and then JMMs to figure was a misspell... :rolleyes:

I swear!

Jmm... did you ever isolate the leak to shower pan or shower valve..? Just curious..

.