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augerjosh · Nov 17, 2010, 02:17 PM

I bought a house and moved in last week. It is a traditional Cape with a 1st floor full bathroom and a 1/2 bath in the basement with a washer and dryer in the same room. For some reason the basement toilet overflows (for no apparent reason). Water just begins to pour out of the seat/basin. I have had the main line snaked twice out to the road (I am on city water/sewer). The drain guys tell me that there is no blockage and don't know what is causing this overflow. I have had a plumber replace the old toilet with a new one, and fully examine the situation. He couldn't figure it out. I have run everything in the house to try and force it to overflow while the plumber was there (washing machine, kitchen sink, dish washer, flushed upstairs toilet) but we were unable to recreate the situation. Everything will be fine (nothing will be running in the house), then the toilet will just flood/overflow for no reason.

I have a finished basement, and I am getting to the point that I am afraid to leave the house. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this? Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Josh

ballengerb1 · Nov 17, 2010, 03:01 PM

I am assuming you are on city sewer. Call the city and tell them what you have. It just may be their problem if their mains are partially clogged and a big amount of water comes down your branch it could back up for a few moments and get pushed back up your drain if you are close to their clog

massplumber2008 · Nov 17, 2010, 04:44 PM

Absolutely agree with Ballengerb1...

The city/town could be clearing their drain lines (or drain could be partially blocked) and it could be backing up your drain.

This could be an issue with their pipes or it could be an issue with your main vent as it may not allow the pressure from their jetters to dissipate which could show up as an overflowed toilet in your place... ;)

Call the city/town sewer division and see if they have been working in your area. If not, see if they WILL clear the lines in your area.

Back to you...

Mark

augerjosh · Nov 18, 2010, 02:00 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advise. I had the city come by. They were great, and very willing to help. Unfortunately they were unable to find any kind of block in their sewer lines. They told me that they had a 24 inch pipe running down my road, which should be more than adequate. They came inside to look at the toilet which has been overflowing and could not figure it out. Any other ideas? Thanks again.

massplumber2008 · Nov 18, 2010, 04:06 PM

Hi Josh...

Did you ask them if they have done any maintenance work on the drain lines in your neighborhood BEFORE you called?

Sounds like back pressure from a jetter.. ;)

Let me know...

augerjosh · Nov 19, 2010, 07:34 AM

I asked them specifically if they had been doing any work in the area. They said that they had not been doing anything, and that they had received no other complaints of a similar situation in the neighborhood. It's a complete mystery.

Okay, here is a new development. The toilet has not overflowed since I posted here, but I am constantly worried that it will while I am away. I came home from work tonight and found that the water level in the bowl was much lower then it was before I left this morning. It seems to be fluctuating quite a bit. Also, although the toilet has been completely unused, there is also now sediment and what looks like partially broken down toilet paper floating in the small amount of water in the bowl. Any ideas?

massplumber2008 · Nov 20, 2010, 05:45 AM

By that description, it sounds like your main vent stack is clogged or the rooter guy was wrong and the drain line is partially clogged... ;)

I'd have a new rooter guy come out and snake the main vent AND then use a drain camera to check the main drain line so you can be sure there is nothing causing any back-pressure issues down your drain line.

I know the last rooter guy said there was no issues, but I'm going to bet there is... ;)

Back to you...

Mark