[Donadirect]

I just read a posting from someone (back in 2006) who had a similar problem to mine. I live in a high-rise with 40 stories. My unit is on the 6th floor and there have been problems with this particular bathroom since just after the building was completed - 2 years ago. No one has lived in the unit unit recently (me), but right after we closed on the unit there was a terrible back-up from this bathroom that damaged the carpets, baseboards, in the adjacent bedroom and hall, etc. The damage was done by sewage backing up from the shower and overflowing from the toilet. No one was living here at the time. A year later (still an empty unit) this occurred again, damaging carpets, etc. Each time the builder replaced all and we hoped the problem would not return. I moved in 5 months ago with no problems until two days ago when I noticed the toilet gurgling. It would start then stop and start again. Then while I was standing there I noticed soap bubbles streaming down the sides of the toilet bowl. Soon the whole toilet was filled and soap which started running over the sides onto the floor. It looked like a comedy skit, but it wasn't funny. I also noticed some bubbles coming from the shower, plus I heard gurgling in the sink. Then it went away, after tons of mopping, and flushed normally. Two nights later the gurgling started again and the bowl filled completely with soap bubbles. This time there was tons of soap coming up from the shower drain. The bubbles were tiny and hard, with little soap odor. Is this a blocked vent problem? Where's the soap coming from? Should I sue the developer? Thank you.

[hkstroud]

It is not a blocked vent. Sounds like a partially blocked sewer stack. If this happened to you and you alone, not your neighbor downstairs, the blockage will be between you and the unit downstairs. Has anyone done anything about clearing the line? Having happened three times I would insist that the management company snake the line. Since this is relatively new plumbing try to get them to send a camera down it to insure that there is no design flaw in the piping that is causing the blockage.

Sounds like you have blockage, not a complete, only partial between you and the unit downstairs. Also sounds like someone above you, and not necessarily the unit immediately above you, periodically takes a bubble bath.
Sue the developer? Not hardly, he' got bigger lawyers than you and what would you sue for if the damage has been repaired each time.

[speedball1]

Two nights later the gurgling started again and the bowl filled completely with soap bubbles. This time there was tons of soap coming up from the shower drain. The bubbles were tiny and hard, with little soap odor. Is this a blocked vent problem? Where's the soap coming from? Should I sue the developer

This is nothing as simple as a blocked vent. It's much more serious then that.
You are getting your upstairs neighbors dirty water backing up out of your bath room fixtures as they flush, bathe and shower.
This could be some construction trash that's blockage or a flaw in the plumbing design. But what ever it is the developer/contractor should make it right on his dime at no expense on your part. Because it's not a permanent thing it will be more difficult to track down but just because in only happens once in a while it shouldn't be overlooked. One back up is too many. Court should be the last resort. Call the developer and get together with the contractor and the plumbing company and get this taken care of ASAP. Please keep me in the loop and let me know of farther developments. Good luck, Tom