Check out some similar questions!

fergy_e · Apr 30, 2009, 11:26 AM

I have a septic system, and for the past week the water has been backing up in our toilets. I'm assuming that it's from my family doing laundry along with showering at the same time. When the shower water goes down the drain, the toilet starts to let air bubbles out. Then I need to put the toilet seat down otherwise the toilet water will splash out. Other times the toilet doesn't flush properly, which gets close to over flowing. But it eventually subsides, and the water goes down.

Thank you for your time

sabrewolfe · Apr 30, 2009, 11:34 AM

You may have a clog in your drain pipes. Have you tried using Draino?

speedball1 · Apr 30, 2009, 12:56 PM

Sabrewolfe asks,

Have you tried using Draino?

Draino won't help this problem. As a repair plumber I have never recommended using harsh chemicals. In your drainage system. Besides they only seem to work in TV commercials and when you try to remove the water you could burn your hands or damage your eyes.

Fergy, You have a problem with your septic system. Pump the tank and have someone check your drainfield. It doesn't sound like it's doing its job. Good luck, Tom

Sabrewolfe's unhappy with my response and gave me a reddie for it,

Im ay least trying to give the OP tye least expensive way first, I understand what you are saying, but in many cases, draino has worked fine for me. Peace.

If Sabrewolfe was a plumber he'd understand why plumbers hate a call where caustic chemicals are used and you have a sink full of Draino.
Someone has to get under that sink, open up the trap and drain that caustic liquid out of the sink. If it gets in your eyes you can be blinded. If you have a cut or scratch on your hands it becomes very painful. We work very carefully around a sink full of Draino. This is just one of the many hazards in our trade, and one a repair plumber has to live with. But to recommend using it? Not in this life! Tom

sabrewolfe · May 1, 2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

Sabrewolfe's unhappy with my response and gave me a reddie for it,
If Sabrewolfe was a plumber he'd understand why plumbers hate a call where caustic chemicals are used and you have a sink full of Draino.
Someone has to get under that sink, open up the trap and drain that caustic liquid outta the sink. If it gets in your eyes you can be blinded. If you have a cut or scratch on your hands it becomes very painful. We work very carefully around a sink full of Draino. This is just one of the many hazards in our trade, and one a repair plumber has to live with. But to recommend using it?? Not in this life!! Tom

It usually takes care of simple clogs before you make the mistake of getting ripped off by some plumber who thinks you always have to tear your plumbing apart every time. They would not make it if it didn't work. I guess sharkbites don't work either because a homeowner can make repairs with them for themselves.
The last thing Im worried about is if a plumber I hire can't hack the pains of his job. That goes with the territory. Id rather see if I can unclog it myself first before spending more money on a plumber.
Oh yeah, was that red thing for revenge? Very childish.

speedball1 · May 1, 2009, 03:40 PM

was that red thing for revenge?

Nah! That red thingy was your karma coming back to bite you in the a$$ And thanks for the high opinon of plumbers that you've shared with us. Your next service call just went up twenty bucks for being so lovable.

It usually takes care of simple clogs before you make the mistake of getting ripped off by some plumber who thinks you always have to tear your plumbing apart every time.

And if it doesn't we're the people who have to contend with the caustics that's in the sink.

The last thing Im worried about is if a plumber I hire can't hack the pains of his job. That goes with the territory.

And if that plumber's blinded because of the chemicals you put in your fixture does that " come with the territory" also? You're a real piece of work sport and we thank you for your input. Tom

mygirlsdad77 · May 1, 2009, 03:58 PM

Folks will use draino, usually to no avail, I just wish they would let us know that they did, so when we come to fix the problem correctly, we don't get chemical burn(and trust me, getting injured is in no way part of a job description, especially when it can be avoided). Anyway, draino is no cure for problem past the trap(and usually doesn't work for the trap either).

Im not here for a reddie.lol, so ill just go on with my advice.

I agree with Tom that it may be a septic or drain field problem. But don't rule out the possability of a blockage between house and septic tank. Can you take the cover off the septic tank and let us know what the level of water is. The tank will always be full of water, but it should not be any higher than the bottom of the incoming or outgoing pipe on septic. Please let us know what you find.

sabrewolfe · May 1, 2009, 04:33 PM

Ah, Tom's just being a cry baby. I've pulled pipes apart with draino in them myself a few times, sorry, guess I should have mentioned I'm experienced in plumbing, anyway, I know better than to go into repair work without proper safety protection. Im always re-enforcing that on my guys no matter what they are doing.
Draino is an inexpensive resolve which can unclog some clogs. Im not saying it will always work, but if it does, doesn't it make sense to try that first before shelling out more money for a more costly repair?

speedball1 · May 1, 2009, 04:51 PM

sorry, guess I should have mentioned I'm experienced in plumbing,

Well that certainly clears things up. Hey guys! We got another "plumbing expert" on board. Didn't you say;

before you make the mistake of getting ripped off by some plumber who thinks you always have to tear your plumbing apart every time. The last thing Im worried about is if a plumber I hire can't hack the pains of his job. That goes with the territory

Ripped off? Can't stand the pains of his job? Tearing your plumbing apart? Getting injured is "part of the territory"?
Oh! I want you on one of my crews. You have the attitude that every foreman looks for. You're hired. When can you start? Just show up on the job site with your can of Draino.

sabrewolfe · May 1, 2009, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

Well that certainly clears things up. Hey guys! We got another "plumbing expert" on board. Didn't you say;

Ripped off? Can't stand the pains of his job? Tearing your plumbing apart? Getting injured is "part of the territory"?
Oh! I want you on one of my crews. You have the attitude that every foreman looks for. You're hired. When can you start? Just show up on the job site with your can of Draino.

No, I don't think so buddy boy, I run a very large and successful construction company.

speedball1 · May 1, 2009, 05:19 PM

I run a very large and successful construction company.

Careful there Ace! The last "Plumbing Expert" that made that boast left us in a big hurry. I love it when I can toss your own words back at you.

Ripped off? Can't stand the pains of his job? Tearing your plumbing apart? Getting injured is "part of the territory"?

Tell us more about what awfull persons plumbers are.
I bet your people think you're a real peach. But just being a uncooth plumber perhaps I'm being too rough. Want to kiss and make up?

speedball1 · May 2, 2009, 04:45 AM

Look Wolfie,
You've been fun and sometimes I like to indulge myself and trade barbs with people that I think proclaim their importance and knowledge too loudly,

I run a very large and successful construction company. Sorry, guess I should have mentioned I'm experienced in plumbing,

but fun times over. Time to get back to posting solutions. And here we give working solutions to real problems.
Every once in a while we get a poster on here whose advice is
"Call a plumber". The OP doesn't want to here this. He wants to know what he can do with out calling in a plumber. Your first post.

You may have a clog in your drain pipes. Have you tried using Draino?

Of course he has a clog in his pipes. He just told us it was backing up. That observation wasn't necessary and opened the post to more "fun poking" when you advised using Draino on a blockage in a 4" main or septic tank/drainfield malfunction.
Any body that knows me knows I'm gonna have fun with answers liike those. That's why I rained all over your parade. It was fun and you left yourself open in so many places. But funs over! I'm sorry for ruffling your feathers. You big business owners that think they can compete with working plumbers are always fun to "tweak their noses" with their answers but time I got back to the business at hand. Again! Sorry for any bruised feelings. If you have anything constructive to post feel free to do so.
But no more Draino commercials please. The OP can get that by watching TV and get the same advice. Our exchange ends now! Regards and have a great week end, Tom