[liza03_6]

:( :( :(
My bathroom is a mess! For the past month our toilet has been making gargling sounds and lots of bubbles. We paid no attention to it, so now it overfilled. We also noticed that when we wash at home, all the dirty water fills our bath tub and our toilet simultaneously makes these gargling sounds and bubbles up. We have tried drano in the past, but this doesn't help. PLEASE, help me.. I know that something must be clogging the pipes and that I probably need to "snake" out the pipes.. I have no clue how to do this. Can someone explain to me what I need to do? I don't want to have to tear up the entire bathroom to find the pipes. Thanks for your help. Any and all helping comments/information are welcomed.

[ballengerb1]

You clog is likely not inside the bath but furtherdownstream in your main drain. Do you know what a clean out looks like and do you have any?

[liza03_6]

No I don't know what it is. Can you please explain?

[liza03_6]

I looked on line and I know what it is but I don't know where to locate it in my home.

[massplumber2008]

Liza... you on city sewer or septic? City sewer cleanouts are typically at the street side of building about 18 inches off the foundation (in the concrete)... or at any height off the floor anywhere along the street side of the building ATTACHED to cast iron/PVC drain pipes... that is important here... Could be separate cleanout in floor... or could be a cleanout at the end of a wye type pipe/drain fitting... look for this (in direct line to city sewer).

Septic tank main cleanouts are usually found at the back wall of the home, headed out to the back yard. They can be just inside or just outside the foundation. If septic... when was last time was pumped..

See what you can find. If no cleanout then may need to lift the toilet and snake the main drain that way... but check for cleanout first as Ballenger suggested... let us know... MARK

[DaPlUmBeRGuY]

First of all the problem is your main line (sewer) and is either blocked w/i the stack or again the main line... depending if you have a overhead system or gravity sewer?
You need to have yor main rodded out , can be mess and dangerous !
Call for at least 3 estimates ? We all got to make a living , however it is always safe to insist on a licensed plumber , and bonded and insured is always good to !

[liza03_6]

I believe that it is city sewer

[massplumber2008]

O.K. got your PM... DO you own this building? Sounded like you did.

If city sewer then check front/street side of building... need to follow drain pipes from above to where they enter ground or where they leave the building... Main cleanout should be near this.

Find the cleanout... then call a plumber... You said you were a college student in your PM... drain cleaning can be dangerous and involved. Let us know if you really intend to clear this drain yourself... we will help. Otherwise, call your local plumbing inspector and see who he recommends in your area... ;) . I am sure he will be glad to help. Let us know what you decide... Mark