Check out some similar questions!

momwith3kids · Feb 13, 2005, 12:37 AM

We live in a 50 year old house (just moved in 6 months ago). The two downstairs bathrooms are located immediately next to each other. Never have had problems with either. We live in So California, where there's been plenty of rain and in the last 24 hours we've had a new storm, which cleared up by this afternoon. Tonight we noticed sewage backup in the showers of both bathrooms. We filled a sink in one of the bathrooms to bathe our baby. When we drained it, the toilet next to it started bubbling - making a glug glug sound and actually "burping water" out of the bowl. We flushed it. Big mistake. It overflowed onto floor (clean water) and then more yucky sewage water came up into showers. We are not handy so we've been on the internet. Everything points to a drain line problem. Is it possible that the problem is not ours, but the city's, since we've never had the problem before? Or is it definitely on our private line? If it's ours, do homeowner's warranties cover this kind of problem? Do our problems mean that we cannot use any of our bathrooms (we have another 1 upstairs) or washing machine or sinks etc. Is our water contaminated? Most importantly, how do we get this prob fixed?

speedball1 · Feb 13, 2005, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by momwith3kids

We live in a 50 year old house (just moved in 6 mos ago). The two downstairs bathrooms are located immediately next to each other. Never have had problems with either. We live in So California, where there's been plenty of rain and in the last 24 hours we've had a new storm, which cleared up by this afternoon. Tonight we noticed sewage backup in the showers of both bathrooms. We filled a sink in one of the bathrooms to bathe our baby. When we drained it, the toilet next to it started bubbling - making a glug glug sound and actually "burping water" out of the bowl. We flushed it. Big mistake. It overflowed onto floor (clean water) and then more yucky sewage water came up into showers. We are not handy so we've been on the internet. Everything points to a drain line problem. Is it possible that the problem is not ours, but the city's, since we've never had the problem before? Or is it definitely on our private line? If it's ours, do homeowner's warranties cover this kind of problem? Do our problems mean that we cannot use any of our bathrooms (we have another 1 upstairs) or washing machine or sinks etc.? Is our water contaminated? Most importantly, how do we get this prob fixed?

With 3 kids you got to get this fixed fast. I realize it's Sunday but we are on call for emergencies and your's is one if I ever heard of one.
You have a blockage downstream of the two showers. If this stoppage is in the branch of the two downstairs bathrooms you may discharge the upstairs bath, kitchen sink, etc. However if the main house sewer is blocked,( and yes it's your problem and not the citys) anything you flush or drain will come up at the lowest point, your showers. Call a drain cleaning company at once and have the blockage removed. They will most likely snake the pipe that vents the downstairs baths from the roof.
A blockage in your sewer will not contaminate your drinking water but you should scrub the showers with bleach to offset the contaminated sewage that came up in the shower floors. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Tom

momwith3kids · Feb 13, 2005, 09:18 AM

Speedball, thank you so much! I read your message and decided to call the home warranty company (we have a 1 year warranty) and they say they DO cover it and yes, they agree it is an emergency! So I hope to have this resolved soon. I really appreciate your quick and expert response. I didn't know whose problem it was or how to fix it until you told me. Thank you!

Emath · May 13, 2011, 05:24 AM

Actually, it could indicate a sewer problem. I have a two story townhouse and when the sewer is clogged running the shower upstairs it makes the toilet leak downstairs. If we flush the toilet it will make the toilet bubble, gurgle, and eventually overflow. When it is completely clogged, no matter what we run it makes the sewer backup into the downstairs bathroom.