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    PlumbingHelp's Avatar
    PlumbingHelp Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Apr 8, 2008, 10:21 AM
    Cannot Find Water Leak
    I just bought a house and lived in it for 2 days. It was probably built in the 1970's. This water leak seems to appear only when taking a shower in the downstairs masters bathroom (inside bedroom). The shower was running and the toilet (in the same room) made this gurgling sound. I flushed it and all of the sudden the water began rising in the toilet, so I shut the toilet valve off. I continued my shower, (probably about a 15 minutes shower), and once finished the entire hallway outside of the downstairs bedroom was filled with water, and soaking the bedroom carpet. It seemed like the leak was coming from the guest toilet (under the toilet - not overflowing from the bowl part) down the hall about 2 feet from the master bedroom. I began sweeping the water outside into the garage (which is right next to the guest bathroom) and turned that toilet valve off as well, but it kept leaking. As I was sweeping the water out, I noticed the water was also coming through the floor into the garage. I kept sweeping and soaked about 10 bathroom towels. It finally stopped 15 minutes later. Do you have any suggestions why this happened? Or where the leak is coming from? I assume I am going to need to hire a plumber, but was just looking for additional information...

    Thanks,

    Completely Toilet Soaked :confused:


    Thanks for the response... I will get that information... I don't have a basement though... not sure it that would change your comment?


    I've never snaked before and I am new to home owning... How complicated is it to snake from the roof? And where do I get the tools to snake (home depot)?

    I know what a cleanout looks like (now that I googled it), but this just happened this morning and I was running late for work, so I didn't actually go look for it, nor did I know to look for it. Plumbing is definitely not my expertise... when I get home I am going to look for it. What exactly am I supposed to do once I find the cleanout? Check water flow? Turn off the main water first, or leave it on? Any other advice?

    Thanks for your help.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Apr 8, 2008, 10:29 AM
    Somewhere, you appear to have a sewer clog and the water will backup at the lowest spots first. It can be under toilets (seal might need replacing) and floor drains and even low lying toilets.

    Knowing the layout of the sewer piping can help.

    There can be main cleanouts in the basement or outside the house.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Apr 8, 2008, 12:49 PM
    Kiss was correct in pointing out that you have a clog located downstream from the master bath. This can be snaked from two locations, 1) From the roof vent of the master bath lavatory,( If you snake from the roof put out enough cable to, reach the base and 25 feet more)**or**2) pull the master bath tpoilet and snake from there. Good luck, Tom
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #4

    Apr 8, 2008, 02:08 PM
    So are you saying that there aren't any clean out inside or outside the home? Do you know what a clean out looks like?

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