My middle bathroom toilet was burping when we used the shower in there and water would come up out of the tub in our master bath. The shower was draining slowly. We read that it might be the vents on the roof so we attempted to flush those out with a yard hose (water just came up in the showers). We rented a 75' auger and fed it through "clean out" in the back yard, the toilets in both bathrooms (now the toilet in the main bath is leaking... back to Lowe's for yet another wax ring hoping that will fix that issue) and the shower in both bathrooms. Returned the rented auger this morning even though we are still having the same problem. We are on a septic tank but it was just emptied about a year ago and we have only lived here about 9 months so we hope it is not that. The kitchen drain does not seem to be affected. Anyone have any ideas? PLEASE. I am pretty handy in the electrical field but am lacking with plumbing.

Daniseland:

Sounds like you are going to be lifting the main floor toilet... here is what I would do:

I would lift that toilet and then I would try to flood the pipes (from shower/sink. Other toilets higher up... be careful not to OVER flood! ) to where I heard gurgling, bubbling... then slow water flow to the point where you can see water in the toilet pipe...

That water will confirm pipe is blocked.. it will also confirm when you have hit the blockage (usually by releasing of bloakage followed by big *WHOOSH* sounds) using that RENTED 75' FOOT AUGER AGAIN!!.. ;(

I know you don't want to do that... but I don't see an alternative really.

By your description, it sounds like you have cleared from the main drain cleanout to the septic tank. I would now try to clear from the main bathroom toilet (or cleanout under toilet if pipes are accessible in basement) to the main cleanout in backyard (should hear it whipping around at cleanout when get to it (remove cover)).

When snaking, keep water running so can see it in pipe while snaking, and so will know when hit something (releases the water).

Need to work snake in/out a few times... and if that doesn't do it... then I think may be time to look at septic tank and see if something is happening in tank (not that it is full... but something else).

Hey, tha's what I have for now... let us jknow what you think...

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you... Mark

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Normally that means that your fresh air stack is plugged. Go on the roof of your house and there will be one or more pipes usually about 2" in diameter sticking up through your roof, these are your fresh air stacks. Occasionally birds will build nests on top of or inside them. This will not let air in and the bubbles are resulting from the water filling the air pockets and forcing the displaced air up through the toilet and sinks.

If they are not plugged at the roof line, run the snake from the roof down to unplug them.

You have to have air for the plumbing drainage system to work. A good example of this is to take a straw, put it in liquid and plug the end of the straw and pull it out of the liquid. The liquid will remain in the straw, remove your finger allowing air and the liquid comes out.

IF THIS ANSWER HELPED YOU PLEASE RATE IT.

Hey Ddollinger... just so the poster doesn't get confused...

They already tried running water down the vent stack... They stated that "IT BACKED UP IN THE SHOWERS"

Also, when drains back up so that they are filling tubs and showers with water from other fixtures... the vents are not clogged.. THE DRAIN IS!

Reread the original post... let me know what you think... Mark

Good luck Danise land!

Sounds to me that you already cleared your vent stack on the roof but you should still check your septic tank again. Granted there may be clogs in your drains but you can't assume your tank is fine just because it was pumped a year ago. Most things are working perfectly just the moment before they break. If there is a clean out in the house right where the sewer lines leaves for the tank check to see if there is standing water in the pipe, there should not be any water. No water, follow Marks advice, standing water = call the septic tank guy and grab your checkbook.

Sounds to me that you already cleared your vent stack on the roof but you should still check your septic tank again. Granted there may be clogs in your drains but you can't assume your tank is fine just because it was pumped a year ago. Most things are working perfectly just the moment before they break. If there is a clean out in the house right where the sewer lines leaves for the tank check to see if there is standing water in the pipe, there should not be any water. No water, follow Marks advice, standing water = call the septic tank guy and grab your checkbook.


As I stated, we have lived here less than a year.. I have never had a septic system prior to this so I don't know about them. How can I tell if it needs to be emptied? I don't even know where in our back yard it is located. There is a piece of black plastic conduit (abs I think it is called) sticking out of the ground with a cap on it. When I open the cap I can see a little standing water about 2' below ground level. The owner of the house (my in-laws) are going to come over and see what they can figure out. Unfortunately their knowledge is about as good as mine.

Normally that means that your fresh air stack is plugged. Go on the roof of your house and there will be one or more pipes usually about 2" in diameter sticking up through your roof, these are your fresh air stacks. Occasionally birds will build nests on top of or inside them. This will not let air in and the bubbles are resulting from the water filling the air pockets and forcing the displaced air up through the toilet and sinks.

If they are not plugged at the roof line, run the snake from the roof down to unplug them.

You have to have air for the plumbing drainage system to work. A good example of this is to take a straw, put it in liquid and plug the end of the straw and pull it out of the liquid. The liquid will remain in the straw, remove your finger allowing air and the liquid comes out.

IF THIS ANSWER HELPED YOU PLEASE RATE IT.

I guess I forgot to mention that I am just a little lady, I thought about snaking the vent pipes but I know me and I realized I could not lift the auger onto the roof. We did try to blast anything blocking the vents by shoving our yard hose down them. When we did the one that leads to the kitchen (where we have not had issues) some water came out of the clean out in the back yard. When we shot water down the 2 vents for the bathrooms no water came out of the clean out, it all seemed come out of the bathroom fixtures (then flooded my bedroom). Does this make sense to anyone on where the clog might be?

And I almost forgot... THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP. As of right now problem is not fixed but at least I have some options.

Danise... sounds exactly like what I said... did you read MY post..

Daniseland:

Sounds like you are going to be lifting the main floor toilet...here is what I would do:

I would lift that toilet and then I would try to flood the pipes (from shower/sink. other toilets higher up...be careful not to OVER flood!!) to where I heard gurgling, bubbling...then slow water flow to the point where you can see water in the toilet pipe...

That water will confirm pipe is blocked..it will also confirm when you have hit the blockage (usually by releasing of bloakage followed by big *WHOOSH* sounds) using that RENTED 75' FOOT AUGER AGAIN!!..;(

I know you don't want to do that...but I don't see an alternative really.

By your description, it sounds like you have cleared from the main drain cleanout to the septic tank. I would now try to clear from the main bathroom toilet (or cleanout under toilet if pipes are accessible in basement) to the main cleanout in backyard (should hear it whipping around at cleanout when get to it (remove cover)).
When snaking, keep water running so can see it in pipe while snaking, and so will know when hit something (releases the water).

Need to work snake in/out a few times....and if that doesn't do it...then I think may be time to look at septic tank and see if something is happening in tank (not that it is full...but something else).

Hey, tha's what I have for now...let us jknow what you think...

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you...Mark

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There was still standing water in the fixtures when we snaked. We did not hear a woosh sound. Should the 75' snake have made it all the way to the septic tank? Our house is not that large and the bathrooms are close to the back of it... We do not have a basement (I wish we did) or any crawl space under the house, we are on a cement foundation so I don't know where the toilet clean out would be. We took the whole tiolet off and snaked through the floor (that is why I needed a new wax ring ;) ).

I do soooo appreciate all the help everyone has been!
I just want to be able to take a shower!! (:o :eek: using auger in toilet = smelly me:eek: :o )

You said you snaked the drain from the cleanout to the septic tank?

So you LIFTED TOILET AND SNAKED.. huh..

Then I am with Ballenger.. something up with the septic... :(

Wait till family shows up.. sounds like they owned it for awhile before you... maybe they will know better to access tank.

Keep us posted.. please.

Danise...sounds exactly like what I said...did you read MY post..?


Yes. And thank you :) , I value your information. I am reading all of it and trying to visualize what I have done over the past 2 days and sort all of the posts out in my mind. I don't have A.D.D. but it sure feels like I do today!

Sounds like you have done all you can at this point. Wait for family... then call in a pro. Good luck! Mark

Good news, bad news. As the tenant this isn't your problem, it's the landlord. Bad news is the LL is a family member. The pipe in the backyard doesn't sound quite like I'd expect a septic tank access line, too close to the surface of the ground. A professional tank pumper will find the tank for you, or the LL in this case.

OK all, septic guy came, said it is the dry well & poured 5 gallons of acid down it. Told us not to take a shower till tomorrow morning :( then charged us 225.00. We have not yet noticed a large change but he said it will take up to 2 weeks for the acid to clean out the tank. He warranted this treatment for 6 months. I am keeping my fingers crossed. If I don't get a shower soon my husband will moving to a separate room:rolleyes:...

Do any of you guys know what this septic man is doing here, I sure don't. What dry well and why 5 gallons of acid, what kind of acid? Bob

MASSPLUMBER2008

My bad!

Sorry, I did not realize that this was not the original thread and this one did not address the vent pipes.

Hey DDollinger...

I am sure you'll catch me on a few here and there, too... ;) Thanks for positive response! Mark

While we are waiting for the in-laws to show I thought of a yet unasked question. When you rodded from the clean out in the yard which direction did you go, towards the house or towards the tank?

Hey Bob... I wondered that, too. Finally read the original post slowly... ;) and it in fact stated "We rented a 75' auger and fed it thru "clean out" in the back yard, the toilets in both bathrooms (now the toilet in the main bath is leaking)."

When got chance to talk to Daniseland.. she pointed out that they rodded from cleanout.. and finally from toilet to cleanout.

BUT still can't hurt to see what direction she went... huh..

AND Bob.. did you see the last post by Danise... seems all set for now... maybe..?

OK so both directions should be clear. You guys must have done some PMs or something or I missed it. I am hoping the field has not failed. Do you know what the septic guy was doing? There is no dry well in a septic system and what's with 5 gallons of acid. Hey did you notice our Adsense disappeared for awhile but now its back??

Read post #15 Bob. Let me know what you think.

I am not super familiar with septics... would love to know what you think... Mark

OK but go back and reread my last post. I think I was adding/editing when you closed it out. Check the comment on Adsense.

disposal-sewage-system (http://www.make-my-own-house.com/disposal-sewage-system.html) takes awhile to fully open but this is how w septic is set up. No drywell and I would think 5 gallons of acid would pretty much screw up the anarobic bacteria needed for proper septic action.

See.. that's what I thought... WHAT's with the ACID..?

And yes, I noticed adsense was off for awhile... making changes I guess. Rick mentioned to keep our eyes out for this to happen and said would be back up quickly!

I think somebody might have been taken for $225.

I knew something was up... I guess we can only wait until they show up to let us know little improved.. I guess. Thanks Bob.