View Full Version : Toilet bowl water "exploded"
 
 2tall66
Jan 29, 2008, 04:45 PM
I've got a 5 yr old two story house, with a bath on both 1st and 2nd floors.
 
When I came home after work, I found the clean water that was in the toilet bowls when I left in the morning was now sprayed all over the bathroom floor.
 
How did this happen?
 
I'm guessing that some unusually strong, quick change in air pressure forced a "bubble" of high pressure air down the vent stack and the house being at a lower pressure, voilą, out the drains it came. It probably came out the sinks too but due to the low volume of water in the S-trap, did not leave a "footprint".
 
Is this plausible? Have you ever heard of this happening before?
 massplumber2008
Jan 29, 2008, 05:08 PM
Both bathrooms?   I have never really heard of such a thing... some bubbling for sure... but water everywhere..?   Were the toilet bowls completely emptied..  Mostly empty..?  Let us know, please.
 2tall66
Jan 29, 2008, 06:53 PM
Yes, both bathrooms and both bowls were mostly emptied, just a little water remained in the bottom. 
 
I don't know if the neighbors had the same thing happen. I can check.
 massplumber2008
Jan 30, 2008, 03:50 PM
Check on the neighbors.  Then call you local plumbing inspector and present this scenario to him... Part of me wants to tell you to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE... ;)... SOUNDS HAUNTED TO ME!! 
 
HEY CHECK THINGS OUT... GET BACK TO US.. ok?
 2tall66
Jan 30, 2008, 04:54 PM
Mystery solved! 
 
I went to the township utility dept and the guy there said they were using a high pressure hose to clean out the sewer line. What likely happened (to me and four others who also called  them) was the hose has a special end that sprays the water backward so the high water pressure pulls the end down the pipe. Then they use a machine to reel it back in with the high pressure water still flowing and this cuts the buildup in the pipe. However, in doing that, a vacuum is created downstream of the hose nozzle, and other odd air pressure things happen (sorry, I didn't get the whole tech thing). Typically, the higher air pressure vents out home stacks but if a stack is blocked (leaves, ice), probably ice in our case, then the air pressure takes the path of least resistance.
 
My wife thought we had a ghost too.  :)
 
Case closed.
 massplumber2008
Jan 30, 2008, 05:22 PM
Is the city willing to pay any damages..?  Are there any damages..?  Glad to hear problem solved! 
 
If I helped, please rate the answer below... good luck!
 2tall66
Jan 30, 2008, 06:10 PM
There were no damages.  Thanks!
 massplumber2008
Jan 30, 2008, 06:57 PM
You know... I got to wonder... *kinda laughing 'bout this*... What if you or wife had been on the toilet when this happened... or a little one... Oh my God!! 
 
Anyway.. thanks for rating answer... glad all is well.  I did have to re-post when all of a sudden I pictured a huge blast of water... me sitting on the toilet... very funny!!  I am just glad no one was home   ;).   Good night!