About dispatcher bob Expertise I can answer just about any question on residential plumbing,as long as you ask a question that makes sense... I do however need you to be as thorough as possible on asking, it is hard to read between the lines and be on same page as person asking.
Experience 35 years working in the field of plumbing service plumber, worked for some new home construction for several years, new commercial for 2 years, commercial maintainence, but prefer residential service
Publications Have an interview in This Old House.
Education/Credentials 5 years of vocational school plumbing trade.
RPZ backflow prevention certified.
Master licensed plumber state of Minnesota
City of Minneapolis Licensed, City of ST. Paul licensed. Certified Residential Mold Inspector
Certified Mold Remediator
Certified Commercial Mold Inspector
Question I am on a city sewer system, single story thirty year old house, one bathroom. When I use the shower, the bathtub will drain for the first minute or so, then it will stop and begin to backup. Eventually it will drain but at a very slow rate that is not noticeable. I then will notice clear water leaking from the toilet around the seal on the floor until about ninety percent of the toilet water is drained, or until the bathtub is completely drained, whichever comes first.
If I flush the toilet before the tub has fully drained, sewage backs up into the tub. Once the tub has drained the toilet will flush fine provided ten to fifteen minutes have gone by. Additionally, flushing the toilet twice within a couple of minutes causes sewage backup in the tub on the second flush. Running the bathroom sink water will also cause the same thing to happen (backup in tub) except the toilet will bubble every few seconds while the water is running.
I ran a snake through the bathtub overflow drain, the sink drain, and a pipe protruding from the side of the house next to the bathroom that has a metal screw on plug. Snaking one of these three pipes will cause the tub to drain for the next shower, but the main problem remains.
I was told I could have a clogged vent and to run water down it to possibly clear it. That caused the tub and toilet to backfill. I then ran the snake through the bathroom sink drain. The toilet bubbled a few times and ultimately drained. I pulled the snake out and the tub drained completely from being more than half full. I thought I had the problem licked, but the next time I used the shower the tub stopped draining, this time it went a little longer before it began to backup.
Does it sound like there's a clog beyond the reach of the snake? Should I snake the pipes in any particular order, sink, tub, then outside? Should I snake the toilet drain? What are signs of a clogged vent?
The problem of the bathtub not draining has occurred many times in the past. Running the snake through the pipe outside would fix it for a good two to three months. The last three weeks is when the toilet and the sink became a part of the equation and the pipe outside has lost its effectiveness.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Answer HI
If I was to be called out first thing I would do is clean main drain and camera to make sure it is clean, I am not sure what type of snake you are running thru pipe, Here is what is the most deceptive part about cleaning a drain. If you use a flat tape or a hand tape which is OK But does not do a good job or thorough.
It is of my opinion most Drain Cleaning companies when hired, want to come back to house so they do not camera unless they get paid. Their tactic is to open drain show you it is draining then leave, usually no warranty and a couple of months later it is plugged again or they come back once a year.If proper care is taken and you have a good piping system you do not need drains cleaned so often, a big misconception with people. I say this because I know you are doing yourself, and if you decide to hire a company hire one who will camera your line as part of service.
You are only opening a small portion of pipe. If you have root intrusion and push center open you have basically only opened center of pipe or put a small hole in dam. The first time or a couple of times later, the hole starts to fill and plugs again. I feel it needs to be cleaned with a power auger and with blades to clean sewer properly. The roots will also grow up pipes and into basement drains. I add this as I do not know your system. I will be posting some pics of roots in the next few hours of a job we were on Friday Night Late.
I have only seen a couple of clogged vents and only during a remodel when we ripped out to install new. Most vents do not plug. Since you ran water in and came up sewer line then it is in sewer line, if vent was plugged chances are it would have not showed up in sewer.
Again not knowing or looking at plumbing I can say to start with your mainline, sometimes a main can be plugged and you can take a shower and never notice, until piping fills with water.
I would also replace seal at toilet as water should never come out at base of toilet when it is sealed properly, that is not clean water it is sewage water.
Let me know if need a little more info. DB
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