Check out some similar questions!

superdeluxe · May 7, 2010, 07:22 AM

Hello,

I am having some issues with Washing Machine backing up into the Toilet (I Would assume that it is what it is). I am having semi-blue water backing up into the toilet (But never overflowing thankgod)

Also, the toilet gurgles and gulps sometimes.. and then drains away (Toliet bowl is at normal level of water... gurgles/bubbles... then water level goes way down).

I am on a septic, I had it checked and maintained about 7 months ago (It was working fine, the outlet baffle was replaced, and the tank was pumped).

Any ideas of things I can do, before I have to call the septic folks? There is no 'sewer' smell, and no wet/damp spots in the leach field area.

Thanks!

creahands · May 7, 2010, 07:41 AM

U have blockage down stream from toilet.

Snake toilet. Use about 15 feet of cable.

If this does not clear problem, u will have to rod waste line from roof. Use enough cable to go about 10 feet past line going out of house.

Good luck

Chuck

Milo Dolezal · May 7, 2010, 07:42 AM

... also, you could have your septic tank full.

superdeluxe · May 7, 2010, 07:51 AM

Thanks creahands:

Milo: Is that normal? I have a 1,000 gallon septic tank with 2 adults. The tank was pumped about 7 months ago. It was my understanding that a tank should only need to be pumped once every 3 years for 2 people (And we don't use garbage disposal.)

ballengerb1 · May 7, 2010, 08:32 AM

Do you have a basement with a floor drain? If so does it back up? A septic tank can go 5 years+ with 2 people but if the field has failed or the pipe between the house and tank becomes clogged you would still get a back up.

Milo Dolezal · May 7, 2010, 08:37 AM

Septic tank consists of 2 parts... one for solids and one for liquids. Liquids are absorbed by ground. Tank with solids has to be pumped out once every few years. Problems with septic tanks usually show during rainy season when ground is saturated unable to absorb more liquids. Then, back-ups occur.

ballengerb1 · May 7, 2010, 08:48 AM

At least in Illinois, septic tanks are slightly more complicated. The tank hold the solids but they decompose from both aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. Very little solid is left after decomp so pumping every 5-10 years is all that's needed. The field uses both absorbson and evaporation to get rid of the gray water. If you field is in good shape it should function even during heavy rains but don't try to test it by doing 6 loads of laundry. Evap and absorption take time so don't overload the system. Can you answer my questions please from post #5?

superdeluxe · May 7, 2010, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Do you have a basement with a floor drain? If so does it back up? A septic tank can go 5 years+ with 2 people but if the field has failed or the pipe between the house and tank becomes clogged you would still get a back up.

We do not have a basement with a floor drain. Thanks

Is there something we can do to test if the field has failed? I have looked for obvoius signs such as seepage/swampy conditions.. but have not found that.

ballengerb1 · May 7, 2010, 09:12 AM

It is most likely what Creahans said it post #2 but try filling your bathromm to the brink and then drain it. If this does not cause a backup then you need to rod the drain line downstream of the toilet.

superdeluxe · May 7, 2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

It is most likely what Creahans said it post #2 but try filling your bathromm to the brink and then drain it. If this does not cause a backup then you need to rod the drain line downstream of the toilet.

Fill the bathtub upstairs?

The toilet on the main level is the closest to the septic.. and I assume the closest to the main Drain line.

ballengerb1 · May 7, 2010, 09:37 AM

If you have a failed septic field or tank it won't matter where the tub is located. However, now that I know a bit more about how your home is plumbed the tub might drain into the same line as your washer and toilet. I'd try it anyway just to see what happens.

superdeluxe · May 7, 2010, 11:40 AM

So if I drain my Tub (Should I also do sinks/toliets up stairs?)

If it backs up in the toilet.. then I need to rod out the drainline which is downstream from my toilet.l

What happens if it doesn't back up my toilet..

ErrrI wrote that wrong.. if it doesn't back up.. then I need to rod out the drainline.

If it does backup.. then..

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Just fill and drain the tub and come back and tell us what happened. Gotta go in little steps

Sorry, we were out of town for the weekend.

So I filled up my bathtub, and completely drained, no bubbling/no back up in Downstairs Toilet.

THanks

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Would make me think that this water came from another toilet, one using a bowl sanitizer. Do you have another toilet on an upper level? Where else would you get semi-blue water. I would also suspect that you a blockage or partial blockage in the main stack at or just beyond the point where this toilet connects.

We are not using bowl sanitizers anywhere. I assume it is from the Washing Machine because A) It bubbled and backed up when the Washing Machine was being used. I assumed that B) The 'blue-hazy' water was coming from Machine.

ballengerb1 · May 7, 2010, 11:58 AM

Just fill and drain the tub and come back and tell us what happened. Got to go in little steps

creahands · May 7, 2010, 12:50 PM

Do u have under ground springs in area? This could fill septic reservoir. Remove cover and check to see how much water is in it. If water level is not up to drain pipe u should be fine on that account.

Chuck

Milo Dolezal · May 7, 2010, 11:19 PM

To do "Percolation Test" , contact local geologist - or perhaps even septic contractor.

hkstroud · May 8, 2010, 04:47 AM

semi-blue water

Would make me think that this water came from another toilet, one using a bowl sanitizer. Do you have another toilet on an upper level? Where else would you get semi-blue water. I would also suspect that you a blockage or partial blockage in the main stack at or just beyond the point where this toilet connects.

superdeluxe · May 10, 2010, 04:30 PM

Not sure what happened.. but it put my replies in my last post.

speedball1 · May 11, 2010, 05:33 AM

the toilet gurgles and gulps sometimes.. and then drains away

All the classic symptoms of a blocked vent. The system's attempting to vent through the toilet. The suction is what's pulling the bowl level down.
The solution would be to snake the lavatory roof vent.
For your other blockage follow the instructions given by the other experts. But you have two separate problems to address. Good luck, Tom

superdeluxe · May 15, 2010, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Just fill and drain the tub and come back and tell us what happened. Gotta go in little steps

Water drained from my upstairs tub.. did not back up into first floor toilet.