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    ccodyred's Avatar
    ccodyred Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 10, 2009, 06:36 PM
    Toilet won't flush w/ heavy rains
    My toilet will not drain properly w/ heavy rain.. tried plunger and still not draining properly?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Nov 10, 2009, 08:37 PM

    Probably indicative of what's called "sewer overload". Your county/city might like to be informed while the problem is happening, so they can video the pipes in the street.

    When there is damage to the sanaetary sewer, water from runnoff infiltrates the sewer system and overloads it.

    Getting the county/city to fix it or installing a backflow preventer on your sewer line are solutions.

    The answer is based solely on it doesn't work in heavy rain. There is a slight chance it could be on your end.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #3

    Nov 10, 2009, 08:38 PM

    City sewer or septic?
    ccodyred's Avatar
    ccodyred Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Nov 12, 2009, 06:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
    City sewer or septic??
    Mr. Ballenger, it is a septic system.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Nov 12, 2009, 07:40 PM
    Sounds like your system's being overloaded behind heavy rain. I hope your rain water isn't connected back to the sewer. Have someone out there open up the tank and check the level in the tank io be sure it's not overflowing and at the same time check your drain field for saturation. Good luck, Tom
    Tarponman's Avatar
    Tarponman Posts: 16, Reputation: 2
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    #6

    Nov 12, 2009, 07:54 PM

    If you have your own septic tank, I'd say it's pretty full. How old is the drain field? Drainfield handles liquids, the tank handles solids... any odors in the shower/tub drains will point toward a full tank also.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #7

    Nov 12, 2009, 08:33 PM

    Actually a septic tank is always fairly full, they overflow at the very top out to the distribution box and field. The field works by absorbing water and evaporation, neither work well if the ground is saturated. If its been more than 5-8 years since the last clean out then have it pumped. How well does your yard drain after a heavy rain, field could be saturated
    ccodyred's Avatar
    ccodyred Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Nov 13, 2009, 06:46 AM
    Thank You for advice..
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