We have a toilet in the basement which has never been used in our five years in the home. Yesterday, there was toilet water everywhere. When I flush upstairs, the water in the downstairs toilet rushes up. Is this related to a blocked stack pipe? Just guessing.

Hi Joanmatsumoto:

If your toilet in the basement is backing up when the toilet is used upstairs it suggests that your MAIN DRAIN may be blocked. To test this, fill the tub upstairs and then drain the tub... if it backs up and out the basement toilet then the main drain line is probably clogged.

Check to see if you can find a main drain cleanout at the front of the building within 24" or so of the foundation wall (inside or outside) and then remove that plug. Flood the system again and confirm that water backs up at the cleanout... if so, you need to call a plumber or rent a sewer snake machine (get leather gloves and safety goggles, too) and see if you can clear the drain yourself!

Let me know if you have questions...

MARK

Check to see if you can find a main drain cleanout at the front of the building within 24" or so of the foundation wall (inside or outside).

I know our main drain cleanout is inside because it's only covered by a plywood board in the basement.

...or rent a sewer snake machine (get leather gloves and safety goggles, too) and see if you can clear the drain yourself!

As soon as the sewage lines are involved, plumbers are UNDERPAID. I would not touch this with a 10-foot pole with or without goggles and leather gloves!

Thanks for the advice!

Aah, someone that appreciates you Mark .