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!