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yellowvette · Sep 20, 2009, 10:32 AM

I have a bathroom in the basement.The toilet tank has a hair line crack in it and the water seaps through.I shut off the water supply about two weeks ago, we do not use that bathroom at the present time.Last night my wife was washing clothes and the basement flooded.The water came out of the toilet bowl, not the tank, the bottom bowl.Is that because I drained the tank and the bowl, and there is no water in the pipe under the bowl.I took a large towel and stuffed it in the bottom of the bowl about 20 minutes ago.
Need advice.

Thank You
Jack

Cedarln2265 · Sep 20, 2009, 10:38 AM

If the toilet and washer share the same vent, the S shape molded into the toilet when in use keeps water in it, so water from the washer won't back up. So when you drained the toilet, the toilet became a secondary vent for the washer. One thing always leads to another :)

speedball1 · Sep 20, 2009, 11:43 AM

Hey Jack,
Let me first correct some of Cedarlns post.

the S shape molded into the toilet when in use keeps water in it, so water from the washer won't back up.

Not quite so! That "S Thingy" is a trap that keeps out sewer gas. It won't help with a backup.

when you drained the toilet, the toilet became a secondary vent for the washer.

Again not true! Even draining the tank and sponging the bowl will stlll leave a water seal in the trap. My advice would be to leave the water in the bowl just to be certain.

Now onto your problem. Take the rag outt the bowl ar refill it but leave the water shut off to the tank until it can be replaced.
You have a blockage downstream from the toilet. Draining the tank and bowl had nothing to do with it.
Do you have a floor drain? Did it back up also?
The solution would be to snake the drain line. On a single story house the best way would to snake from the washer or lavatory roof vent but with a two story house it's easier to pull the toilet and snake from there. Let me know what you decide. Tom

Cedarln2265 · Sep 21, 2009, 01:04 PM

He said he drained the bowl and the tank. The water was being pumped from the washer. My brother in law had a laugh. He said never been to KY has he. So, Pumped water will go to any outlet and not always proven that there is a stoppage. That's why I wrote what I wrote first. Do the obvious first and then work down to the details. Isn't that the way it's suppose to be done?

ballengerb1 · Sep 21, 2009, 01:08 PM

Nope, Tom is right. That "S" is a trap and does not stop washer water from coming up, yellowvette is living proof of that. The washer is draining faster than the drain pipe can handle it. Pipe is partially clogged is the no. 1 answer.

speedball1 · Sep 22, 2009, 06:56 AM

Cedarln, I read your profile. We're about the same age and we've both lost our spouses and are going it alone but there the similarity ends. A plumber you're not! Just about all of your comments have been in error.

Pumped water will go to any outlet and not always proven that there is a stoppage.

Water, like electricity, will always seek the path of least resistance. In a drainage system water will flow to the lowest spot. In a back up it will exit the nearest open spot. Please don't attempt to explain your first post. You can't! If you wish to learn a little something about plumbing ask questions and one of us will answer but please don't make me waste time correcting you in the future.
You have yourself a wonderful day, Tom