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2tall66 · Jan 29, 2008, 04:45 PM

I've got a 5 yr old two story house, with a bath on both 1st and 2nd floors.

When I came home after work, I found the clean water that was in the toilet bowls when I left in the morning was now sprayed all over the bathroom floor.

How did this happen?

I'm guessing that some unusually strong, quick change in air pressure forced a "bubble" of high pressure air down the vent stack and the house being at a lower pressure, voilà, out the drains it came. It probably came out the sinks too but due to the low volume of water in the S-trap, did not leave a "footprint".

Is this plausible? Have you ever heard of this happening before?

massplumber2008 · Jan 29, 2008, 05:08 PM

Both bathrooms? I have never really heard of such a thing... some bubbling for sure... but water everywhere..? Were the toilet bowls completely emptied.. Mostly empty..? Let us know, please.

2tall66 · Jan 29, 2008, 06:53 PM

Yes, both bathrooms and both bowls were mostly emptied, just a little water remained in the bottom.

I don't know if the neighbors had the same thing happen. I can check.

massplumber2008 · Jan 30, 2008, 03:50 PM

Check on the neighbors. Then call you local plumbing inspector and present this scenario to him... Part of me wants to tell you to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE... ;)... SOUNDS HAUNTED TO ME!!

HEY CHECK THINGS OUT... GET BACK TO US.. ok?

2tall66 · Jan 30, 2008, 04:54 PM

Mystery solved!

I went to the township utility dept and the guy there said they were using a high pressure hose to clean out the sewer line. What likely happened (to me and four others who also called them) was the hose has a special end that sprays the water backward so the high water pressure pulls the end down the pipe. Then they use a machine to reel it back in with the high pressure water still flowing and this cuts the buildup in the pipe. However, in doing that, a vacuum is created downstream of the hose nozzle, and other odd air pressure things happen (sorry, I didn't get the whole tech thing). Typically, the higher air pressure vents out home stacks but if a stack is blocked (leaves, ice), probably ice in our case, then the air pressure takes the path of least resistance.

My wife thought we had a ghost too. :)

Case closed.

massplumber2008 · Jan 30, 2008, 05:22 PM

Is the city willing to pay any damages..? Are there any damages..? Glad to hear problem solved!

If I helped, please rate the answer below... good luck!

2tall66 · Jan 30, 2008, 06:10 PM

There were no damages. Thanks!

massplumber2008 · Jan 30, 2008, 06:57 PM

You know... I got to wonder... *kinda laughing 'bout this*... What if you or wife had been on the toilet when this happened... or a little one... Oh my God!!

Anyway.. thanks for rating answer... glad all is well. I did have to re-post when all of a sudden I pictured a huge blast of water... me sitting on the toilet... very funny!! I am just glad no one was home ;). Good night!