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sonique2 · May 27, 2010, 03:57 PM

This past week, while using the basement shower, the toilet would bubble but I didn't know what that meant. Well, this morning, same thing, but then the shower wouldn't drain so I stopped the water - then continued my shower but noticed a rotten egg smell - the sewer line backed up! We have run water through the basement bathroom sink, the kitchen, and the main floor bathroom and kitchen - all of those are okay so we don't think the issue is in the main house drain. We think it's between the toilet and the shower in the basement. Is there a homemade approach we can use to get rid of this problem before we call Roto Rooter? We've run industrial strength drain cleaner down the shower and the bathroom sink and have flushed the toilet but it still backs up.

I saw that another reply suggested putting bleach in the shower drain overnight, and then flushing it with hot water the next day. Is that a good approach? Any suggestions would be great! Thank you!

ballengerb1 · May 27, 2010, 04:17 PM

It is not between those two fixtures but it can be right after them. You have a clog and not the easiest area to rod. Is there access from below? Is the water standing or does it slowly drain over time?

sonique2 · May 27, 2010, 04:25 PM

The toilet drains very slowly and plunging doesn't do much. If you can imagine this "scheme": the shower is to the left, then the toilet and sink on the right. As you just walk out of the bathroom there is a floor drain immediately on the left (closest to the bathroom sink) that rises when the toilet is flushed. A while ago my brother in law found a bunch of hair clogging it, but now it's just sewage.

hkstroud · May 27, 2010, 04:45 PM

The fix, but it ain't "home made" is to rent a snake, pull the toilet and snake the line.

ballengerb1 · May 27, 2010, 04:57 PM

Look inside the floor drain with a flashlight, do you see a square plug slightly off to one side of the drain hole?

speedball1 · May 27, 2010, 05:04 PM

Harold's "bang on"
You have a clog downstream from both fiuxtures in the toilet drain line. Do not try adding harsh chemicals as you will only burn your hands, and perhaps your eyes, When you pull the toilet to snake out the blockage. Good luck, Tom

ballengerb1 · May 27, 2010, 05:06 PM

Floor drain water rises when toilet is flushed so likely the clog is downstream of the floor drain. If the floor drain has a removeable plug for rodding this may also be a way to go.

sonique2 · May 28, 2010, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Floor drain water rises when toilet is flushed so likely the clog is downstream of the floor drain. If the floor drain has a removeable plug for rodding this may also be a way to go.

Well I don't have any updates yet but we were considering to snake the floor drain this morning. After a few "rest" hours, the first time the toilet flushes it's all right but if it is flushed again immediately after, it clogs completely right away and the water takes a long time to drain.

There is some sewage in the floor drain about 3 inches from "ground level" so I can't see a plug. I'm also not at home however but I'll forward these suggestions to those at home. Thanks everyone!

ballengerb1 · May 28, 2010, 09:09 AM

Since this seems to be a significant clog I'd tell you to avoid all water use until the problem is cleared. Every time you flush you are just making mnatters worse at present. Use a sop vac if you have to to clear the floor drain or go with Tom's suggestion and pull the toilet. This may be getting beyond your ability so consider calling a few plumbers for their read and estimate of repair