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Water backing up into tub and shower, toilet gurgles sometimes etc.

Asked Jan 11, 2010, 05:11 PM — 15 Answers
Hey there. I tried searching through the plumbing forum for some answers but only got a few bits and pieces that I'm not sure really apply to my issue.

Since July, I have had issues with water backing up into my bathtub and coming up through the shower drain. I first time was the worst, it was nasty urine smelling water that was brown-ish and it actually flooded my bathroom. My boyfriend plunged and used tons of drano and nothing worked. I finally had a service come out and clean out the septic tank and everything returned to normal..for a little while..

A couple of different times in the past few months the toilet would gurgle (send up air bubbles) or clear water would come up through the tub then go back down again.

Now the problem is back once again. This time, I just walked into my bathroom and noticed the walk-in shower had water in it and the bathtub was half full of black-ish water. Also the other bathroom tub has about 2 inches of gray-ish water.Neither I nor my two roommates have used the toilet or the shower in a few hours.

If it is of any help, I never have problems with the sinks or the washing machine and I have well water. PLEASE HELP!

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15 Answers
letmetellu's Avatar
letmetellu Posts: 3,153, Reputation: 1708
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#2

Jan 11, 2010, 05:58 PM
The reason that water is not coming back into the sink is because it is higher than the other things and before water would get that high it would run over the tub or commode.

I kate to tell you but it is possible that you tank is full again and will have to be pumped.

Or it could be that the line is stopped up before the water gets to the septic tank. Either way you are probably going to have to have a service man come out.
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ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#3

Jan 11, 2010, 06:46 PM


The gurgle is your sewage line trying to vent because your vent stack is clogged. The clog is right where the stack and drain come together, most likely place. Rod from the roof is best if safe this time of the year. You can stop plunging and using chemicals. While it is possible that your field is satyrayted and the tank can no longer function the likelihood is lesser than the clogged vent, maybe you have both. That service man, was he a septic pumper with a very large truck and they had to dig down in your yard to lift a concrete lid, that kind of guy?
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christine555's Avatar
christine555 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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#4

Jan 11, 2010, 07:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
The gurgle is your sewage line trying to vent because your vent stack is clogged. The clog is right where the stack and drain come together, most likely place. Rod from the roof is best if safe this time of the year. You can stop plunging and using chemicals. While it is possible that your field is satyrayted and the tank can no longer function the likelihood is lesser than the clogged vent, maybe you have both. That service man, was he a septic pumper with a very large truck and they had to dig down in your yard to lift a concrete lid, that kind of guy?
It was a septic pumper and they got on the roof and snaked a pipe on the roof..is that the vent stack?
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christine555's Avatar
christine555 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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#5

Jan 11, 2010, 07:32 PM
I live in FLorida so even though it is abnormally chilly, it is safe to get on the roof
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truck 41's Avatar
truck 41 Posts: 221, Reputation: 100
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#6

Jan 11, 2010, 08:24 PM
What did the pumping guy tell you? He should have been able to tell you if your septic system is the problem or if it is a drainline problem.
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christine555's Avatar
christine555 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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#7

Jan 12, 2010, 04:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by truck 41 View Post
what did the pumping guy tell you? He should have been able to tell you if your septic system is the problem or if it is a drainline problem.
Honestly I don't really remember..I want to say drainline...

New Update: The water has drained from tub and shower..left gross looking residue..everything is back to normal..again. Ugh?
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ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#8

Jan 12, 2010, 05:06 PM


Did he also "and they had to dig down in your yard to lift a concrete lid, that kind of guy?" Sounds like he did snake your vent stack
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christine555's Avatar
christine555 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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#9

Jan 12, 2010, 11:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
Did he also "and they had to dig down in your yard to lift a concrete lid, that kind of guy?" Sounds like he did snake your vent stack
They didn't dig a thing..

Fun fact I'm from GLen Ellyn, IL
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ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#10

Jan 13, 2010, 04:20 PM


Not too many septics in your home town but yours sure wasn't pumped down in Florida. Not sure what he did but you don't pump out s eptic without digging. He must have rodded just your vent stack which is fine, I too suspevted a clogged vent. You apparently still have issues. When was your septic pumped out if ever?
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