I just moved into a house I purchased and have a plumbing problem... I think.

The house is 50 years old, has 2 bathrooms (1 upstairs and 1 down). The downstairs bathroom has a sewage injection pump that fills up every few toilet flushes or when the shower is running and then pumps the water up into the main drain line. There is also a washing machine downstairs that also drains into the main line.

The issues...

* when using the washing machine, most of the time the toilets in the house will bubble.

* when using the downstairs shower, when the pump kicks off, sometimes the toilet will magically flush on its own

It would seem that the downstairs pump and/or the washing machine are the cause to these problems.

Also, the other day the washing machine was on and I was in the shower at the same time. I guess the pump tried to drain at the same time as the washing machine and there was a small explosion of water where the washing machine hose meets the pvc drain line... (too much going on at once?)

Someone please tell me where to begin to troubleshoot this.

Thank you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jjd228

i just moved into a house i purchased and have a plumbing problem.... i think.

the house is 50 years old, has 2 bathrooms (1 upstairs and 1 down). the downstairs bathroom has a sewage injection pump that fills up every few toilet flushes or when the shower is running and then pumps the water up into the main drain line. there is also a washing machine downstairs that also drains into the main line.

the issues...

* when using the washing machine, most of the time the toilets in the house will bubble.

* when using the downstairs shower, when the pump kicks off, sometimes the toilet will magically flush on its own

it would seem that the downstairs pump and/or the washing machine are the cause to these problems.

also, the other day the washing machine was on and i was in the shower at the same time. i guess the pump tried to drain at the same time as the washing machine and there was a small explosion of water where the washing machine hose meets the pvc drain line... (too much going on at once?)

someone please tell me where to begin to troubleshoot this.

thank you

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You failed to provide me with enough details for me to give a definite answer.
Where is this "downstairs bath and laundry located? Basement? First floor?

Your washer pump discharges with great force and volume. If there is a partial blockage or the pipes are too small to carry the load, ( and in a 50 year old home that's a distinct possibility) the discharge will hit a partial clog or simply have too much volume to be carried away then it will senda bubble of air back up the line and that's what you see in your toilets and the "explosion" from the washer.

* when using the downstairs shower, when the pump kicks off, sometimes the toilet will magically flush on its own"

This is caused by a vacuum set up when the vent can no longer relieve it.

I would call in a plumber to snake and clear the drain lines or just don't overload the system by showering when the washer's running.
Good luck. Tom

Yes, the laundry room and one bathroom is in the basement.
Aside from what you mentioned, of perhaps a partial clog, is there a possibility that the cesspool is full or close to full and needs to be serviced? Or if you had to guess would you lean toward a clog somewhere?

If I wanted to snake it myself, I can see 2 plugs in the main line in the basement. Would I just snake both of these, or would you recommend something else?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jjd228

yes, the laundry room and one bathroom is in the basement.
aside from what you mentioned, of perhaps a partial clog, is there a possibility that the cesspool is full or close to full and needs to be serviced? or if you had to guess would you lean toward a clog somewhere?

if i wanted to snake it myself, i can see 2 plugs in the main line in the basement. would i just snake both of these, or would you recommend something else?

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Before I did anything I would have the cesspool checked. Two cleanouts equal two drain lines. However, to be sure that you're not going in downstream of the clog I would snake from the washers roof vent. One way to check the two lines would be to open up the cleanout covers and cycle the washer. If you get a backup out of either of the cleanouts then it's a safe bet that the problems the cesspool or a clog out the house. Let me know what you find. Regards, tom