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Answers (7)
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I would call the city/county and ask them to check the main sewer drain in the street to see if this is your issue or theirs. Sometimes the tie in between the house and the main line gets restricted and you get backflow.
Ask them check it from their side first so that you won't have a plumber call if you don't need one and if it is from your house to the street, then you can call a plumber to try to clear the line.
Ask them check it from their side first so that you won't have a plumber call if you don't need one and if it is from your house to the street, then you can call a plumber to try to clear the line.
- Toan Nguyen, "Toan Nguyen"
- Contributions:140
This information will not help you now, however it could be helpful to those who may have a similar problem in the future. In your particular case, the plumbing "back up" in your basement is a result of a sewer blockage located under your basement or outside of your home in the front/back yard. Since the floor drain is the lowest point in your sewer system, this is then where sewer pressures are relieved. Do not continue using your water and pouring liquids down the drain even though it appears that everything else above the basement is draining. At this point call a plumber.
In a home on a concrete slab foundation, this is the way you can tell if you have a sewer back up. The toilet is flushed and the contents slowly fill up either an adjacent bathtub or shower. Again at that point discontinue usage of all bathrooms facilities and call a plumber. It is recommended that homes of this type should have exterior ground level access to the sewer lateral. In the trade they call it a "double sweep cleanout".
In a home on a concrete slab foundation, this is the way you can tell if you have a sewer back up. The toilet is flushed and the contents slowly fill up either an adjacent bathtub or shower. Again at that point discontinue usage of all bathrooms facilities and call a plumber. It is recommended that homes of this type should have exterior ground level access to the sewer lateral. In the trade they call it a "double sweep cleanout".
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
If you have a septic system it could be needing to be cleaned out. Have a sewage sucking service come in a clean out the tank. They do not go forever without maintenance. If you have had the tank cleaned out within the recommended time (or do not have one) this is not likely to be the problem. Sometimes the leach field also plugs up. As stated below, you need a professional if you have snaked the pipes and the problem remains.
- Dan Sandweg, "Dan Sandweg"
- Contributions:36
When you call your plumber, also call your local municipality and find out if there is an insurance plan that covers sewer laterals (the pipe connection of your house to the municipal system). You could have a simple blockage or you could have a defective pipe like the others have sited.
Good luck.
Good luck.
- Sam DeBord, "SeattleHome.com"
- Contributions:3472
Dan's right on it. Older homes here in Seattle have roots in the old concrete/clay tile sewer lines that create clogs. Worse, sometimes the sewer line collapses and the blockage is permanent. Call a plumber, or rent a video scope to take a look at the issue. It's probably easier to just snake out the line first.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
I would call a plumber. It could be several things. Tree roots in a pipe. A plugged up pipe, grading problems and more. If this is new to the house maybe just snaking the drain will solve the problem. Or perhaps it could be a lot more expensive.
Plumbing Backing up in my basement what can cause this?
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