We've always had problems with clogged pipes. The last one, about three weeks ago, we had to call a plumber. It was so bad that our washer wasn't even draining. So this plumber ended up putting his line (?) from the kitchen to the other side of the house, ending with the second toilet. He was telling me about how he thinks we have a busted pipe because he can't get through. When I went to check things out, I could hear his line banging against the toilet, like it was trying to come out through there... and it sounded horrible... the metal against the porcelain. I told him a few times what I was hearing, and he just nodded his head and kept going. He's the pro, right? He finally pulled it out, and his tip was all bent. I paid the bill and had a cleared pipe. However, now when there is an extended time the water is running, shower, washer, there is this groaning noise from the last toilet. It lasts a few seconds... but I'm worried that the plumber either made our situation worse, or he broke something. What could possibly be going on?

Hi Iwong and Welcome to The Plumbing Page. At AskMeHelpDesk.com

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I could hear his line banging against the toilet, like it was trying to come out through there... and it sounded horrible... the metal against the porcelain. I told him a few times what I was hearing, and he just nodded his head and kept going. He's the pro, right?

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Not in my book he isn't! You NEVER snake against the flow. For just the reason that you outlined above. Your plumber was too lazy to pull the toilet and do the job correct. As for your "grown from the toilet. I may shed some light on that.
: What you hear is the washer vibrating against the ballcock seat. The reason it stops when you turn the water on is that you have lowered the pressure by opening a valve. You can go at this two ways. (1) you can lower the pressure by turning the angle stop located below the tank until the noise stops or, (2) you can shut off the stop and remove the three screws on top and cup your hand over the top and just crack the stop enough to flush out any trash that may be in there. After you do that pull the washer out of its holder and flip it over in its holder and reinstall the top and float. One of the two should do the trick. Also check the tank level, if it's not at least 1/2" under the white overflow tube set the level correctly. F not click on back and we will go to plan B. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. TOM

Sorry taking so long responding. My pipes are completely clogged right now... so the laundry washer is emptying into a large bucket. Sigh. Okay... I guess I would rather flush the trash out... as that would be the best thing to do, yes? When you say, "shut off the stop" is that the water behind the toilet? Sorry, completely ignorant in this stuff. And three screws are... where? I have to remove the tank?

OK! What problem do you wish to address first, The clogged pipes or the noisy toilet. Because you're going to have to get a plumber in there that knows what he's doing to unclog unclog your pipes and he can fix your toilet at the same time. It makes me angry to have to apologize for another plumbers shoddy work. Trust me! We're not all like that. Most of us take pride in our work. Sorry you got a bad one. Good luck, mTom

LOL. No need to apologize for someone else's work ethics. I have this strong heat stuff in my pipes right now. I have about 30 minutes left, so I'm heating up some water to flush it down to see if that will work on clearing it out. If it does, then I will do that stop and flush suggestion. And thanks... I really need the luck.

Please keep me informed of your progress of clearing the clogged pipes. *IF you get the pipes cleared I'll walk you through, step by step on working on the noisy toilet. Good luck, Tom