I have a problem. I have one toilet on my main floor. In the basement utility room, there is a hole in the floor where a toilet could go, but there is nothing there right now. Starting this past week, when I would flush the toilet from upstairs, the sewage began spewing out of the hole in my basement floor, causing an unspeakable mess. Can I solve this problem by filling the hole with concrete? I don't have much cash but am tired of running to my local gas station every time I need to take a crap. I realize filling the hole in the basement may cause a backup upstairs, but I plan to plunge the hell out of it. Do I have anything to lose?

Hey Steed... Sounds like your main sewer drain line is clogged (you do own the home right?)

First thing to do is to find the main drain cleanout... should be located in the floor at front or rear of cellar floor (may also be located outside at front or rear of building within 18" or so of foundation wall). When located remove the cover and confirm that there is standing water in pipe (run water until can see water in pipe or until overflows the basement toilet)... this is where you will be snaking the main drain line to clear the blockage.

City sewer or septic system here? If septic, check to be sure tank doesn't need to be pumped out. If city sewer, then go to local rental store and rent a large electric snake machine... be sure to purchase some leather gloves and to wear goggles when using the machine.

Then send snake down the drain... being sure to leave water in pipe the entire time... this way when you hit the blockage you will know as water will bob up/down a bit... then you will work that snake back and forth in this area until entire blockage is cleared.

After clearing the blockage run snake a little further out, then run hot water and pull the snake back.

You may need to go in and out a few times with the snake to do best job!

You could also snake down the toilet drain to start, but my bet is that the blockage is further away!

Once all resolved, be sure to CAP/PLUG that drain as an open drain pipe is very unhealthy!

Let us know if need more information...

MARK

Do as SpeedBall said: snake you main and you should be fine. (ooops, indeed, it was Mark's suggestion :-D... )

One thing in your post really caught my eye: Do you really have open toilet inlet in your basement? That's a No,No ! You have to plug that opening immediately. What you have is an open sewer that is venting into living space. It is health hazard.

You can buy "wing nut" or "dollar plug" of appropriate size in Home Depot. Please, do so ASAP.

Thanks Milo, I'll take credit for Marks answers any day of the week. But you hit on a very important point . The open hole in the basement Have it sealed at once. It's spewing sewer gas into your home every tome you flush on drain. Sewer gas is a health hazard to your family and the methane content makes it explosive. Have this looked after ASAP! Good luck, Tom