can anyone help identify leak?

rojomojo · 09-10-2007, 01:23 PM

My home was built in the 40's. It has iron underneath as far as I know.

I have two bathrooms. The wax ring is busted one one toilet. I have the equipment to fix it but need more advice. If i let more than about 10 gallons out of the bathtub, it seeps out of the bottom of the toilet in one bathroom. The same happens if I flush the toilet more than once in a short period of time.

The same happens in the other bathroom accept it comes out of the bowl of the toilet. Also there looks to be a vent tied into the air conditioner shaft. A pipe goes into it. Whenever either bathroom overflows, this vent leaks water too, causing water to leak onto the floor where the air filter would normally intake, a lot of water.

If i run the washing machine, water overflows into bathtubs and out of the toilet with the busted wax ring.

I can't afford a professional plumber. I have enzyme cleaner and an attachment the fits onto the end of a garden hose used to "blast" out stops after it swells.

Does anyone recognize these problems? I had a plumber in here about a month ago and it seemed to work for a couple of weeks but then it stopped again. What steps would you take to get this moving again? Any help is really appreciated.

Jo

rojomojo · 09-10-2007, 01:30 PM

I should also add air escapes out of the toilet when water from any fixture drains...

Mike Swearingen · 09-10-2007, 01:34 PM

You apparently have a partial clog in your main drain line.
Since you say that it's (cast) iron, then that means that it is sectional. If it is sectional and that old, then it is probably getting root instrusion into the line at the joints.
If it is roots, a plumber's snake will only punch a hole thorugh them, which will only help for a short while. If you have all of these roots "roto-rootered" out, the roots also will come back every 1.5-2 years after cleaning them out, so that isn't a permanent solution.
The only permanent solution is to replace the underground main drain line with "glued" white plastic PVC or black plastic ABS drain line. The "glued" joints will not allow roots in.
For a temporary 2-year-at-best solution, rent a roto-rooter machine that can handle a 4" drain line, open a cleanout plug, and roto-rooter the line from the house to the street. that should solve all of the problems that you describe until the roots grow back.
Good Luck!
Mike
P.S.
Another thing to check for is a partially plugged vent pipe on the roof (leaves, debris, birdnest, etc.). Go up on the roof (carefully) with a garden hose with sprayer. Remove all foreign matter in the vent pipe that you can reach by hand, and then flush the vent pipe down with the garden hose sprayer.

KUIPORNG · 09-10-2007, 01:35 PM

I am not a plumbing... but looks like that the main drain is not fast enough for your house.... I think professional snaking equipment is require to clear your main drain.... but wait for some expert like Rontheplumber for more advice...

rojomojo · 09-10-2007, 01:39 PM

Should I replace the broken seal on the toilet first or does it matter? I was going to try to clean the vent stack first but I didn't know if pressure would be strong enough to break a seal. I just moved in and this problem already existed, so I don't know how the seal got broken. Thank you for your help and time.

Joe

Mike Swearingen · 09-11-2007, 11:07 AM

I would replace the toilet wax ring first, clear the vent stack second, and then clean the main drain.
You may want to think about hiring a drain cleaning company with a video camera to inspect the line to see exactly what you're dealing with.
Mike

CMPLUMBER · 09-12-2007, 12:04 AM

Do you have a septic tank? have you had it checked? If its full, things dont flush so well. Get the drain fixed first, the wax seal will just blow out again if the drain is too slow. Dont use chemicals to fix this problem, get it rooted and video inspected. this is the only way to know it has been done right. I know its expensive, but how much damage are you willing to do to your place? If yo do decide to rent the rooter and do it yourself, it can be done. Ask alot of questions from the rental shop and be careful. you should root from the toilet flange, remove the toilet and go for it! Do it once, do it right.

para1 · 09-12-2007, 11:59 AM

CLOGGED MAIN DRAIN--YOU CAN SNAKE IT YOURSELF IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING BUT THIS JOB I WOULD LEAVE TO THE PRO'S, IT WILL COST ALOT LESS THAN A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. PAY THE PRO,WATCH HIM OR HER AND IF YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE IT DO IT YOURSELF NEXT TIME.