I'm new to the board, but have read several questions and responses and think you can help me. I have a one floor unit in a 4-unit condo building built in mid-1970s. Previous owner had a low-flow toilet installed at least 7 years ago. This is the toilet from hell. I have to plunge this thing at least every two weeks. Three nights ago, I noticed the rug was damp in the laundry room. Suspected hot water heater or washer hoses. Turned off water to washer. Gave the dog a bath (toy poodle/gets brushed then a bath about once a month - I shed more hair than the dog). Tub drained. More water in laundry room. Maybe 1/4 cup. I took a quick shower. Did not leave water running. Tub didn't drain. I got out of shower and realized the toilet was backed up, too. Plunged the toilet. Checked laundry room - water is all over the floor - maybe a half-gallon and I realize it's coming from the floor drain.

Maybe an hour later, I have mopped the floor and realize it is draining verrrrrry slooooooowly. I put some enzyme drain cleaner in the floor drain and go to bed. Next morning, my dad - 89 years old, but lives in a 120 year old house, DIY plumber - comes by and says to cut down on water in drains and he would snake it out next day. Next day, he comes by, uses a 15 ft snake and works it close enough to the toilet to hear it. (Laundry floor drain, lavatory, toilet, tub, and dressing room sink in a row about 20 feet long) Nothing. Drains a bit faster, but not much. First flush shows no effect, second flush or any other water backs up in laundry. (It was backing up in tub, too, but not any longer. We get more serious drain cleaner and put it in that afternoon and this morning. No real improvement.

Dad thinks it's outside the house in the main drain. I suspect closer to the toilet/tub since the last sink in the dressing room has quickly drained in all tests. No one else in building has drain problems. No clean-out in my building although a building across the street has an identical unit with an outside cleanout.

I'm calling the plumber in the morning and wonder what kind of problems he/she is likely to encounter? I want to have a new toilet installed and have already bought the one I want (Kohler Highline - I think), so thought I would have the plumber do that job, too. Is that appropriate? My dad thought maybe if the plumber could get into the main drain at the toilet, it might be easier to clear the clog. Is this reasonable? And, I'd like a cleanout. How much time does that take to install? I'd rather not pay for the plumber's kids college educations just to have a cleanout! :)

Thanks for any and all advice/experiences.

~Shawna

Drain unclogged! I called a recommended service, they sent their 'drain guys' who turned out to be former students. I had heard some faint rumbling noises in the walls, but saw no change in the floor drain water level. When they got here, they checked everything, and decided to flush and see what happened. Water level in floor drain didn't change!! So they flushed a few more times and no overflow! Apparently, the clog was moving on and the flushing pushed it on out. Yippee! I'd have been afraid to flush that many times, so was glad they were here in case it did overflow.

Hi Shawna,

Glad you're drainage is cleared away. You mentioned a outside sewer line cleanout. By code we are mandated to install a cleanout not over 18" from the foundation and brought up to grade. This cleanout's installed on the main sewer line that exits the building. You already have a cleanout all you have to do is locate it. Good luck, Tom

That was something else my former students said. One of the guys told me where the cleanout should be and said he had found some in the area about a foot deep! (There is a planting bed where the cleanout should be, but it's not a foot above grade.) Oddly enough, I did some detective work and discovered that most of my neighbors don't have a cleanout above grade either. Guess what I'll be doing when the weather warms up?

Thanks for the help.