I'm having a serious problem with my bathroom system. We've had the pipes rodded out to the street several times in 2008 and we are still having back-up problems in our bathroom. This morning at 1:20 am I was awaken to a sound only to discover that our toilet was overflowing and the tub was full with clear water.

My bathroom is on the 2nd floor water was everywhere on the first floor and basement level. I turned the water supply off to the toilet and we used the plunger to clear the toilet. But the water was still coming out from around the toilet which was caused by the tub draining. We wet vac out the water in bathtub and was finally able to get up all the water. I did noticed that when I take a shower the water in the toilet makes a gurgle sound with air bubbles and the tub begins to fill with water.

We had the pipe leading from our house to the city sewer line replaced a few years ago because of tree roots. But we still have to have our line rodded yearly, last it had to be done several times. What can cause this type of back up? Can you please shed some light on this problem? I have not called a plumber yet I was trying to get an understanding of possible causes so that I will know what they are talking about. Help!!

Hi Lookout...

The problem seems to be INSIDE the house this time. Are there any other bathrooms besides on the 2nd floor? If so, what is going on with these drains? How about the kitchen sink?

When you woke up and found the toilet oveflowing where was the water coming from? My guess is that the toilet must be running at a slow but constant rate and this is where the water was coming from that caused the damage. The toilet flapper will probably need to be replaced.

In terms of the issue inside the home you may need to snake the drain from the vent at the roof or you may need to lift the toilet on the second floor and snake the drain line from there. I would recommend a RETRIEVER head (see pic.) on the snake so you can possibly see/retrieve what it is that is causing the issue.

In terms of having to snake the drain line AFTER it has been replaced, the only thought I have there is that it may be a good idea to get a sewer company in to CAMERA your drain line (prices vary from state to state, but usually between $250-$400)... see EXACTLY what is going on down there.

Do you have HOUSE TRAP (you would not see the trap but would see two cleanouts or see standing water in the pipe when the cap is removed) like in my picture below? If so, then this may be causing the repeated issues as grease/soap can clog this main trap and cause sewer to back up.

Let me know if you want to discuss more...

MARK

The kitchen sink is fine and so is the powder room on the 1st floor. The upstairs water supply and drain line is separate from the kitchen and powder room line.

When I woke up I could not tell where the water was coming from. Since the toilet was overflowing I assumed it was the toilet which is why I turned off the water supply. When I look inside of the tank it was not running. My toilet is not quite 3yrs old.

This particular line we have always had problems with, the last time the line was rodded they pulled up tree roots that was maybe 3 months ago. I thought the problem would be solved when we had the pipes replaced in the yard. We've had to have this line power rodded every 1 to 2 years for as far back as I can remember.

We do not have a house trap when our drain is rodded they enter through the bathtub.

When you snake the drain from the roof are there other benefits to doing this? For instance gutters draining better. We've been in our house for 24 yrs and this past October we flooded in our basement for the first time. I don't know if one has anything to do with the other but I would like to know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Bernice

Hi Mark,

Forgive me for being rude by not addressing you by your name. Thank you for your quick response.

I forgot to say that on the line we are talking about there is a big black pipe that they open and rod through as well.


Thanks ,
Bernice

Hi Bernice...


The powder room and kitchen although on separate lines should connect to the MAIN DRAIN LINE so that if the kitchen and powder room were not overflowing today then the problem is isolated to the 2nd story bathroom (and pipes that connect to the 2nd floor... UNTIL connections for powder room and kitchen). Here, since the 2nd floor toilet is backed up you will either rod through the toilet drain pipe OR the roof vent IF your roof is pretty flat. The advantage here is that you can use a snake head that is large enough to work the drain line...

In terms of all the water you found this morning... it must have come from the toilet tank filling slowly... or else where else did the water come from?

Am I misunderstanding something?

Let me know.