I had just flushed the downstairs toilet. It went as normal then got quiet. A minute later the bubbles (big bubbles) started coming up. When the bubbles stopped the water started to fill up and over flow. During all this an upstairs shower was running. I turned off the water upstairs and to the toilet. I emptied with a bucket for awhile until it stopped-What next?? What happened? Thanks for ANY help.

Main line stoppage, ask a plumber how much to clear

Your sewer is clogged somewhere after it passes the commode, it will need to be unstopped. Just a warning, all of the water that you run upstairs may come out of the commode downstairs.

Your sewer is clogged somewhere after it passes the commode, it will need to be unstopped. Just a warning, all of the water that you run upstairs may come out of the commode downstairs.

I think that is what was coming out of the toilet in the first place... the water from the shower. My husband is trying to fix it-I hope for a plumber soon!! Not sure if this is something we can do without a professional.. please let me know if you have any ideas.Thanks for the help!


main line stoppage, ask a plumber how much to clear


Hoping for a plumber by morning. As far as your disclaimer, I partially agree on your comment: 'do it yourself people are only trying to save money. '

Those do it yourself people are the same 'men' that don't ask for directions-MY HUSBAND! ;)

Hoping for a plumber by morning. As far as your disclaimer, I partially agree on your comment: 'do it yourself people are only trying to save money. '

Those do it yourself people are the same 'men' that don't ask for directions-MY HUSBAND! ;)

Maursby, this site's set up for do it yourself people. At today's high prices it pays to get advice to do the job yourself. You have a simply blockage downstream from the downstairs toilet. This is a simple repair that can be done by the average homeowner. Nothing complicated here. We could have walked you through snaking the drain and saved you big $. Hope you get repaired and everything's hunky-dory. Regards, Tom

Yea, just watch it if you open up a clean out in the basement or something.

Suddently all that sewage that was sitting in the line blocked comes gushing out towards your head.

I only say this because I had a clog like this, and after opening the cleanout without thinking, took a bath in sewage.

I never recommend a homeowner use a sewer machine. I think it is too dangerous and the probability of getting hurt is too high. Plus if they get the cable stuck, what are they going to do?

Doug,
ask a plumber! Never recommend a homeowner use a sewer machine. I think it is too dangerous and the probability of getting hurt is too high.
Rather defeats the reason this site exists doesn't it? This site, and especially this page, is dedicated to showing the homeowner how to fix their problem without calling in a plumber. How simply itwould be to just recommend calling a plumberr. Think of the time and research we could save with the advice, "Call a plumber!"
But this isn't why we're here is it? We aren't the "safety police". Yes it's dangerous to clime up on a roof. Yes the home owner could get a jolt if he forgets to turn off the power before he opens up his electric water heater or pump control.
No Doug, We're not here to enforce safety rules. We're here to assist thehome owner to do his own repair work with out having to call in a high priced plumber. We can advise against the danger of using heavy machinery but we must, at least, offer the option. Regards, Tom

Doug,
Rather defeats the reason this site exists doesn't it? This site, and especially this page, is dedicated to showing the homeowner how to fix their problem without calling in a plumber. How simply itwould be to just recommend calling a plumberr. Think of the time and research we could save with the advice, "Call a plumber!"
But this isn't why we're here is it? We aren't the "safety police". Yes it's dangerous to clime up on a roof. Yes the home owner could get a jolt if he forgets to turn off the power before he opens up his electric water heater or pump control.
No Doug, We're not here to enforce safety rules. We're here to assist thehome owner to do his own repair work with out having to call in a high priced plumber. We can advise against the danger of using heavy machinery but we must, at least, offer the option. Regards, Tom

Okay - use caution when using the electric snake. But I myself have used them.

And if your rental supply houses are anything like mine, then when you go to rent them, you will get a full lecture on the safety of the machines, and maybe even a few stores of how they have taken a few fingers off.

Safe - yes if respected, and you are instructed on how to use the machine properly.
Just like you wouldn't go up on roof without someone holding the ladder, I'd just be sure to use to machine with a friend close by in the even you need assistance.

Speedball, I own a business and I carry liability insurance. There is a certain liability in giving advice that can hurt someone. While I agree that some plumbers are high priced, some of us are very reasonable and we kind of like working. It pays the bills. Perhaps you remember back before you retired? Wasn't it nice to have a job?
I don't mind giving advice on the smaller things where a handy person can save a bit, but I have too much to lose by advising anyone to do a dangerous task.

speedball, I own a business and I carry liability insurance. There is a certain liability in giving advice that can hurt someone. While I agree that some plumbers are high priced, some of us are very reasonable and we kind of like working. It pays the bills. Perhaps you remember back before you retired? Wasn't it nice to have a job?
I don't mind giving advice on the smaller things where a handy person can save a bit, but I have too much to lose by advising anyone to do a dangerous task.


I don't mind giving advice on the smaller things Then Doug, continue to give advice on "the small stuff"and let the rest of us continue to advise as we see fit. Small stuff? On this site I have drawn up a set of plams for a two bath and powder room ranch house in Texas. In addition to advising a homeowner how to snake a blockage We have assisted askers to cut into a cast iron stack, insert a fitting and jackhammer up cement floors.
All of which could possibly be harmful if not done correctly. While some questions leave you with no option but to " call a plumber" the bulk of our questions can be performed by our askers with a assist from our experts.
Doug, I recognize that,
you own a business and carry liability insurance. and I also realize that it's to your advantage, ( to say nothing of profit) to advise calling in a plumber for a simple be lockage but we don't do that here. We give the best advice that we can for the homeowner to do the job without calling in expensive outside help. The last thing a home owner wants to hear when he's asking for our help is CALL A PLUMBER!! regards, Tom