One of the 3 toilets in our place had been running a lot. I read a post here suggesting bending the rod that holds the ball down so that the water won't overflow the pipe. That worked; there is no more running. But now whenever I flush that toilet, the toilet in the bathroom downstairs loses all the water in its bowl. The same thing happens if that toilet is flushed- the one upstairs loses its water. There has also been a smell coming from the shower upstairs. The third bathroom has none of these problems. I have read about snaking the vent on the roof (but we have LOTS of snow). I have also seen a few posts about checking the trap?? What is that? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by irish79

One of the 3 toilets in our place had been running a lot. I read a post here suggesting bending the rod that holds the ball down so that the water won't overflow the pipe. That worked; there is no more running. But now whenever I flush that toilet, the toilet in the bathroom downstairs loses all the water in its bowl. The same thing happens if that toilet is flushed- the one upstairs loses its water. There has also been a smell coming from the shower upstairs. The third bathroom has none of these problems. I have read about snaking the vent on the roof (but we have LOTS of snow). I have also seen a few posts about checking the trap??? what is that? Thanks!

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The trap for a foilet is built into the toilet - look at the side profile of the toilet. You will most likely see an s-shaped curve - that is the trap. It is there to trap water so sewer gasses don't escape into the air in your house. I would think that if the trap was clogged, when you flush, the toilet would overflow. So I don't think you have a trap issue. It sounds to me like your vent is clogged. Therefore, when you flush, the vacuum created in the plumbing is eliminated by pulling the water from the other toilet as well as from the shower trap (hence, the smell coming from the shower). To solve the smell temporarily, you need to pour some water into the shower drain - a few cups will do. However, each time you flush one of the 2 toilets, you will probably have to do that again.

Since your third bathroom is OK, it is either vented from another vent, or it is venting through one of the other 2 toilets or shower.

At any rate, I'm no expert, but I would think your vent on the roof is clogged and needs to be snaked.

Good luck,
Rob

Thanks for your help... now I have two more questions!! First, how does it get clogged in the first place? Second, is there any way to reach/snake it from the inside? I really wouldn't want to send anyone up on our snowy roof at the moment!

Irish,

You have the classic symtem of a blocked vent. It could be a dead bird or critter but there's no doubt in my mind that the vent's blocked. There is no way to snake a roof vent except by going up on the roof and doing it.
I guess you could go up into the attic and cut in a clean out tee and snake from there if you don't wish to get on the roof. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for your help dmrlook & speedball1... Looks like its snake time. UGH
One last question on the matter- does it have to be done right away or would the system be all right if its put off for a bit till the weather clears?
Thanks again
IRISH

You can put it off as long as you can stand the smell. Regards, Tom