[Greymatter]

So I decide to do a load of laundry before I go to bed one night. While I'm dozing off, I hear gurgling coming from my bathroom. I go to investigate. Unsurprisingly, I see water coming out of the toilet's fixtures on the bottom. I quickly turn off the water from the wall unsure if that will help. I'm not sure it did because the washer got done emptying for it's spin cycle as I closed it off.

Next morning, I take a shower. The shower is having a tough time draining into the system and starts overflowing. I use drano. I'm wasn't a fan of using it but I did, and to no avail.

I'm 19 and have been a homeowner for about a year now. This caught me by complete surprise. I suspect there is a blockage after the toilet, shower, and washer meet. I know very little about plumbing, just enough to get by. Now in your guys' vast wisdom, should I get a auger and fish this thing out or is there another option?

Thanks for the time
-Greymatter

[ballengerb1]

I think your suspicion is correct regaring the location. That main drain pipe is fairly large and most home owners will not have equipment large enough to rod out the pipe. Don't waste your time trying to plunge and of the drains. I would recommend that you hire a plumber to power rod your main. He will inspect your system and decide how best to appraoch the blockage.

[labman]

No problem renting an auger big enough to do the job. If your house if built to modern codes, there should be a cleanout outside near where the main pipe exits the foundation. If the blockage is after it, it should be a fairly easy, although perhaps cold job to clear it. Otherwise work back to any cleanouts you may have inside. You can also try going through the toilet. If that doesn't work, you may want to pull the toilet. It has 2 bolts and the water inlet holding it. If water leaked out, the wax ring may be bad, and sewer gass may be too. Pulling the toilet could turn into a nasty job, a learning experience.

[speedball1]

"I suspect there is a blockage after the toilet, shower, and washer meet."
And you would be 100% correct.
The solution is to snake the drain line from the lavatory roof vent. A toilet auger isn't long enough to get to it. You will need a sewer machine for this job. Rent one, put out enough cable to reach the base and about 20 foot more. Test and flush the line by cycling the washer. Good luck, Tom

[labman]

Guess I should qualified my answer depending on the location. The roof vent is the way go with any decent weather.

[Greymatter]

Forgive my ignorance, but is this what you mean when you say "Lavatory roof vent"?

Plumbing drainage venting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This house was built in the 50's or so and I doubt the whole house it up to code. Alas, I'm sure I'd be smelling it if none of the gases where being vented properly. I might higher someone and learn off them. I'm moving out soon and I don't want to cause any harm before I leave. You guys rock!

-Greymatter

[labman]

Even if you have some non complying ''S'' traps, you still should have the main stack venting through the roof. There are some real advantage to snaking from the roof. If the roof is covered with snow and a -35 degree wind chill, I would consider another alternative.

If there is a pipe coming out anywhere near the problem, that is the one you want.

[speedball1]

Forgive my ignorance, but is this what you mean when you say "Lavatory roof vent"?
A lavatory roof vent is the vent from the lavatory running up through the roof. In single bathrooms this vent services the group and is the one that you will snake to clear the drain line. Regards, Tom