We live in a house which was built in 1948 in Philadelphia suburb. We bought the house about 4 years ago. Generally the drainage has no problems whatsoever. However, it happened this Saturday morning, we found that puddles of water in the basement, later we found that it was from the toilet in the basement, it seems to me the whole house is drained in the shower place, therefore, whenever when we start to use water, water couldn't be drained completely, then, more water coming out from the shower place. It doesn't seem to be a complete block, but there is definite a drainage problem. My husband said it could be methane in the ground in spring. It will relieve itself, which I highly doubt. Why it happened now not in the past years? Anyone, any suggestion? I think we ought to find a plumber immediately. Thanks!

we found that it was from the toilet in the basement, it seems to me the whole house is drained in the shower place, therefore, whenever when we start to use water, water couldn't be drained completely, then, more water coming out from the shower place. Locate the house cleanout and open it up. If you see standing water the clog's doiwnstream from it.and you should snake from the cleanout to the street. If the pipes clear look for a cleanout tee, (See image)on the vertical stack vent and snake from there. Good luck, Tom