When I turn on the water TO my house, ( like the big valve in the basement) water comes shooting out the DRAINS. Why? I'm not flushing toilets or running sinks or anything.

What do you mean by shooting ?

Is there water running in tub or sink or somewhere,

Or with no water on ( except main) do you mean water is coming out of the drans, and shooting? I see water shooting up two or three feet , like a TV cartoon.

Well, "Shooting" is an exaggeration. When I turn the main water on, water immediately begins backing up and coming out of the lowest drain, in my case it's the utility sink. When I cap it, the water just backs up to the next highest spot and comes out of the washing machine drain.

The water that comes out of the drain is fresh, clean water... not stinky sewage.

DO have a water softener, and the only thing I can think of is that when I turn the water on, the well tries to pressurize the system, and it somehow backs up and "pressurizes" the sewer laines, thus forcing clean water out of the drains.

I know I have a blocked sewer line---i live in the country and have a well/drain field septic... Roto Rooter is coming out tomorrow.

Thanks for your help, if in fact you CAN help me.. (I'm beyond help, I know... )

Ch

I'm concerned! This could be a "crossconnection" between your drinking water and the sewer. Let me explain. If your drainage has a clog or partial stoppage if you had a crossconnection opening the water valve to the house would pressure up the sewer line causing the backup you describe.You and your family could be drinking and cooking with contaminated sewer water Have this looked at by a plumber or The Health Department ASAP. Let us kn ow what you learn. Good luck, Tom

I should fess up: I'm writing all this on behalf of a friend, he's overwhelmed by the amount of water damage we discovered as a result of the aforementioned leak.

The guy's been using bottled water for years, because he doesn't like the taste of the water coming out of the faucet... very iron and sulfur rich water. He does use the (er, rather USED to) shower with it.. I'm going to guess the roto-rooter guy is a licensed plumber, or if he isn't, gets one out to the house to figure things out.

Thanks, man. I'll post the solution once it is fixed.

Charlie

Please pass on my comments and concerns on to your friend. If turning on the water to the house pressures up the sewer then he has a major problem. Regards, Tom