[ywilliams64]

I know this has been asked before but I am a single parent with no money for a plumber. Please help! When I run my washing machine, the water backs up through the down stairs toilet. It has over flowed. My house is on a slab. What can I do without calling a plumber? Please help, I am willing to do what is necessary can't afford to be squimish.

[speedball1]

You have a partial blockage downstream from the toilet that must be snaked clean. The toilet will have to be pulled and the line snaked. This is a dirty messy job best left to us dirty messy plumbers. However, If I walked you through the process could you get some muscle in to help with the heavy stuff? Back to you, Tom

[ywilliams64]

Thank you for responding. Yes I can get someone to help. What are the steps I need to take?

[ballengerb1]

Does that someone who can help own a sewer rodder or can they borrow one. Is there a clean out in the floor of your slab somewhere, should be at least one somewhere

[speedball1]

You will need to rent a sewer machine and purchase a wax ring.
1. Shut the water off to the toilet and flush the tank. Now sponge the water out of the tank and bowl.
2. Unscrew the bolts fro the bowl and lift the toilet up. Note, The trap still holds about 1 gallon of water.
3. Start the motor and feed the snake in the hole. Keep feeding it in until it will go no farther. Pull the snake and emty a few buckets of water in to test. If it drains OK then clean off the old wax seal and reinstall the toilet.
Still want to try doing this yourself? Good luck, Tom

[ywilliams64]

In response to ballengerb1 no they do not own a sewer rodder. There is a Lowe's up the street that rents. I looked around for what you are talking about. There is a coat closet next to the bathroom and it has the water shut off to the house in it. Then the living room is next. There is a plastic cover low on the wall. That wall is shared with the bathroom. Also outside the house next to the bathroom is a white pipe sticking out the ground. I noticed all the houses have this in their yards. I took the cover off in the living room and there is a pipe with a square top. The top looks similar to the one outside. I have not found anything else. So do you think that is it? Can everything be cleaned out from there?

[speedball1]

That's a cleanout. Now the issue is whether the cleanout is located above or downstream from the clog. Even if you have to pull the toilet to get at the clog, Do not snake back against the flow. {f you snake against the flow you don't know where that snake will come up out of or break. Good luck, Tom