[mark1234]

Hi,

We recently had our basement redone and added a shower stall to an existing bathroom. Lately, the toilet and shower have been gurgling and then it is almost like the two drains burp and water comes shooting out of each. Then, the toilet flushes by itself and when you try and flush again, it won't work. The next flush will work fine.

It doesn't happen every day but enough to drive you crazy because if someone is using the toilet when this happens, it is a big mess.

Help!

Thank you.

[KISS]

Define what you mean toilet flushes by itself. I suspect this means that the water empties spontaneously and doesn't fill.

[mark1234]

Hi,

Thanks for your interest.

After the toilet/shower blurps up some water, it is as if someone pressed the flushing lever. The water goes down the toilet and then fills up only a small amount. If I try and flush at that time, it does not work. The water level rises to its normal level and I can then flush regurlarly.

Thanks again.

[speedball1]

Hi,

We recently had our basement redone and added a shower stall to an existing bathroom. Lately, the toilet and shower have been gurgling and then it is almost like the two drains burp and water comes shooting out of each. Then, the toilet flushes by itself and when you try and flush again, it won't work. The next flush will work fine.

It doesn't happen every day but enough to drive you crazy because if someone is using the toilet when this happens, it is a big mess.

Help!

Thank you.

Here's what I think is happening. You flush or discharge from up above. The discharge picks up velocity dropping down and runs into a partial clog just downstream of the basement group and bounces back as backpressure. Because of the speed the discharge picks up falling down the stack vent the backpressure shoots out of your basement fixtures, this suggests a partial clog. When the water that "burps" out of the toilet drains back the suction pulls the water out of the bowl as a flush. This suggests a blocked vent in the basement group. I would snake both the drain downstream from the basement group and the roof vent that services the basement group. Good luck and let me know what you come up with.(How did you vent the group anyhow?) regards, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

You got pretty good analysis of your ongoing problem in previous post from Tom. I too think you will have to clean your drain in order to re-establish uninterrupted waste water flow.

[mark1234]

Thank you for the response. I have no clue how the venting was done. Unfortunately, I am plumbing-challenged (among other things). I will have to check with whoever did and see.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks!

[mark1234]

So I had them snake the drain and sure enough it hit a clump of tree roots about 15 feet out. Is there a way to get rid of those without having to pay $250 for snaking?

Thanks again!

[Milo Dolezal]

Mark1234: Bad news: Roots cannot be completely removed. They grow fast and strong in sewer lines. You can control it by having it snaked once a year or so but they will grow back. Also, there are several root killers chemicals on market that you flush down the toilet and they kill the roots. The root killer is only temporary solution too.

Unfortunately, the only proper approach solving this problem is to replace the sewer line with PVC or ABS pipe that is glued together.

[speedball1]

So I had them snake the drain and sure enough it hit a clump of tree roots about 15 feet out. Is there a way to get rid of those without having to pay $250 for snaking?

Thanks again!!

Going in, let me say that sooner or later you're going to have to bite the bullet and replace that old sewer line with PVC. If you wish to control roots RootX or Robics Foaming Root Killer that contain Dichlobrnic are two products you could try.
A less expensive way would be to call around to garden supply stores and ask for fine grain Copper Sulphate. Put a 1/2 pound in your toilet and flush it down. Repeat in 6 months.
Hope this helps Tom