Ask Me Help Desk - Plumbing backup

Quote:

Originally Posted by british6

I have a question regarding strange plumbing backup involving my washing machine and adjacent bathroom. When the washing machine or bathroom tub drains water, the toilet and sink in the same bathroom gurgle. Occasionally, soapy foam from the washing machine backs up into the toilet. If you flush the toilet while the washing machine is draining, the toilet nearly overflows. The washing machine drain outlet has never overflowed. My husband wants to try draino on all the pipes - I want to hire a plumber to figure out the problem. Is draino safe? helpful? should he snake the pipes? or should we just hire a plumber? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am no fan of putting harsh chemicals in drainage systems. Especially if you have a septic tank. They never seem to work outside of commercials. The gurgle sounds like a clogged vent in the bathroom and the back up's caused by a partial blockage downstream from the toilet. Snaking out the lavatory vent from the roof and putting out plenty of cable might catch them both. Two problems,same pipe. I'll explain.
Up to the point the lavatory connects it's a drain pipe. From the lavatory to the roof it's dry and then becomes a vent. You now know more about plumbing then I bet you ever wanted to know. Time to have that vent snaked out. Good luck, Tom