the water was draining from my washing machine downstairs and all of the sudden bubbles were coming out in my toilet upstairs. What does this mean and what should i do about it???
2007-11-30 01:38:26 · 6 answers · asked by M L 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yoda sounds like she may have identified the problem, but she didn't tell me what i can do to fix it. can someone please tell me what to do and if this is serious or will go away on its own.
2007-11-30 02:01:06 · update #1
I appreciate the info, but I need detailed instructions. I don't even know where the vent is much less how to check it. can someone please take me through what to do. A plumber is too expensive (which is why I am here)
2007-11-30 02:27:13 · update #2
All the respondents have given good ideas, but unfortunately most people are not great handymen. Yes, you can stick a hose down the vent pipe and it may clear the clog. It is also possible that you will have water coming out of every drain in your house. Some things are better left to professionals.
Roto-rooter or similar companies can do the job at a reasonable price and save you a lot of grief.
Drain cleaning services are not plumbers. The typical cost of a drain cleaning service is around $100.00
2007-11-30 03:30:18 · answer #1 · answered by nathan f 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You either have a clog developing or you have an air vent issue with the plumbing. In order for a drain to actually drain water it has to have an air supply. There is a pipe that will run all the way up through your roof that allows this air to enter the pipes. If it gets clogged, the system will try and suck air through the other drains in an effort to breath. This will cause bubbles to appear in your toilet, especially if it is on the same drain line as the washer.
Yoda out
2007-11-30 09:47:07 · answer #2 · answered by Yoda 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yoda is right. I'd check the vent first. A plumbers snake should be effective for either problem.
(Sounds like you may want to cut back on the laundry soap some too! Unless you have really hard water, it's effective to only use 75% of the detergent that the directions call for. If you have relatively soft water, it may be effective to use 50% of the recommended detergent!)
2007-11-30 10:22:57 · answer #3 · answered by Kurtis G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yoda has the correct answer..but if you go to a home depot etc...to fix the problem, they have a jet rubber bulb that you attach to the end of your water hose then stick down the air vent coming out of the roof turn the water on..it swells up to the size of the pipe...when it has sealed off the vent it then sprays jet streams of high pressure water in increments of say 2 seconds..then cleans the whole system out..they are relatively inexpensive..about 15 dollars..
2007-11-30 10:30:54 · answer #4 · answered by pcbeachrat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To check or fix the vent, you will need to go up onto the roof. Do not do this if you are not comfortable. It may be as simple as a birds nest or spider webs or leaves blocking the pipe. If you go onto the roof, take the garden hose with you. Remove anything you can see in the pipe by hand and then turn on the hose and stick it into the pipe. This will flush it out.
2007-11-30 10:47:27 · answer #5 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go rent a sewer machine
2007-11-30 12:25:12 · answer #6 · answered by tom the plumber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋