[homemadesin]

I'm having trouble with my shower and toilet, the neither will drain but when I use the plunger on the toilet, the water just goes to the shower. I started with a plunger which makes the water go down the drain slowly but it is still clogged. (When I plunge the shower it does not go to the toilet, but the toilet does bubble) I tried using a snake but I can't get it into the showers drain more than 10 inches or so. I can make the first bend but then it stops. I poured Drano Max Gel in the shower drain, and let it set for about an hour and a half and it's still not working. I need to do this myself because I can't afford to call a plumber.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Homemadesin...

You don't really want to go down the shower drain here as your toilet is the larger pipe and you could end up catching onto something large that can't be brought back through the smaller 2" shower pipe....could bind the snake and create a whole other issue/problem for you.

Most likely, you will need to call in a plumber and have him remove the toilet and snake the drain from there....or if possible the plumber could snake through the 3" or larger bathroom vent at the roof if you are set up so he feels safe doing it.

Otherwise, if you want to do this you'll need to rent a snake from a local tool rental store and try this yourself. There are also other tools to use, but most don't work and usually only end up adding to the cost of the job.

Any chance a diaper or similar item fell into the toilet?

Back to you...

Mark

[homemadesin]

No chance at all. No little kids here, and it's just my little brother and I that share this bathroom, he took a shower this morning and it worked fine, no problems draining at all. But when I went to take one about half an hour later it wouldn't drain.

[homemadesin]

Would it be possible to use a plunger on both the shower and the toilet to create more pressure to force the clog out?

[massplumber2008]

Hey! Why not... sounds like a good idea to me. Worst case, you end up going my route!

Figuring that you only have one plunger I'd remove the shower strainer cover and plug it up tight with a good size wetted rag while leaving some water in the pan as well . Have someone hold this tight while you plunge away at the toilet. If bubbles appear at the shower you will need to plug drain tighter.

If you drain the sink and it ends up in the shower then you should also have someone cover the overflow hole in the sink with a wetted rag while they hold the plunger in the sink down while you plunge at the toilet!

Let me know how it goes...

Good luck!

[homemadesin]

Will do! :)

[massplumber2008]

Please reread post#5 above as I was adding info. As you were posting back to me.

Thanks...

[mygirlsdad77]

A clog downstream of the fixtures you have mentioned will most likely not be cured by plunging, as if the house is vented properly at all, the force of the plunging will just go up the vent. But, as Mark said, can't hurt to try. Pulling the toilet and snaking with a large cable and bit is the best solution I can think of, unless there happens to be a large cleanout accessible, or snaking from roof vent, if possible, and also, you may look for a cleanout outside the home, or inside the home near the wall where the sewer exits. Id like to narrow down where the sewer is clogged. Get the shower backed up, then run water in the sinks, washing machine, etc, and see if the water rises in the shower when every fixture is run seperatetly. If it does, your clog may be outside the house, where an outside cleanout sure would be handy. Please let us know what you find and how things work out.