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    GottaQuestions's Avatar
    GottaQuestions Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 28, 2012, 07:13 PM
    Downstairs plumbing backup!
    I just bought my house about a month ago and the plumbing has been working just fine until this morning. Last night I refilled the water softener with salt for the first time and I don't think that could effect the plumbing but I'm not sure. This morning I ran a load of laundry ( it's also a new washer), did a load of dishes in my dish washer, and took a shower. I noticed in the shower that the water seemed like it wasn't draining, at first I just thought I needed to put some drain-o down since sometimes my hair has a tendency to clog my tub. But when I went to switch the laundry I noticed the floor in my utility room ( where my washer and dryer are) was wet. I couldn't figure out at first where the water was coming from, but after doing another 2 loads of laundry I realized it wasn't the washer but the water was coming up through the drain in the center of the utility room. Also the downstairs toilet in flushing very very slowing filling up with water almost as though it is needing to be plunged but then draining after a few minuets. I'm not sure what could cause this so suddenly since everything was working just fine until this morning and it is not unusual for me to run the dishwasher and clothing washer at the same time. Any suggestions or advice would be most welcome!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Nov 28, 2012, 09:02 PM
    Your problem is indicative of a clogged line after the floor drain. Is the line PVC or cast iron? Hair can catch on older cast iron. You may want to auger the main line from the floor drain. If hair is clogging the tub drain, you might want to consider a drain screen to keep hair out of the drain line.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #3

    Nov 29, 2012, 07:22 AM
    Brian's bang on! You have a blockage downstream from the floor drain. Now would be a pretty good time to go outside and check the house cleanout to be sure the clog's between the floor drain and the clean out. If you see water backing up out of the clean out you have a blocked sewer line. Are you on a septic tank or city sewer? Back to you, Tom
    GottaQuestions's Avatar
    GottaQuestions Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Nov 29, 2012, 10:54 AM
    Thanks for the advise! I did what ma0641 suggested and augered the main line from the floor drain and now the problem is gone! Everything is working again, it was my hair, I didn't realize it could cause such a problem! I'll be sure to get a drain screen to prevent his from happening again! Thanks for your help!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Nov 29, 2012, 12:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by GottaQuestions View Post
    Thanks for the advise! I did what ma0641 suggested and augered the main line from the floor drain and now the problem is gone! Everything is working again, it was my hair, I didn't realize it could cause such a problem! I'll be sure to get a drain screen to prevent his from happening again! Thanks for your help!
    Glad to hear. Hair is surprisingly hard to decompose. When they have exhumed bodies buried 100 years ago they found plenty of hair!
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