Toilet in Basement Leaks at base when Washer drains
#1
05-18-08, 09:20 AM
Toilet in Basement Leaks at base when Washer drains
Hello,
I just moved into a house that my wife and I bought and have a problem. I have read some similar problems in the archives of this forum but wanted to confirm my thoughts.
There is a new toilet that was installed in the basement to replace and old broken one. Every time I run the washer and it drains I get water leakage from the one side of the toilet at the base plus the water level in the toilet seems low. Now I haven't stared at the toilet yet while the washer is draining but I am pretty sure from my research that there is either a blockage somewhere or the fact that there is no venting for the washer is the reason which makes even more sense because I get a gurgling from the kitchen sink.
The sink and tub in the main bathroom drain just fine where the washer drain system seems to have been put in at a later time with PVC.
Do I sound about correct in determining my problem, of course I am going to have my plumber come in anyways.
Thank you
I just moved into a house that my wife and I bought and have a problem. I have read some similar problems in the archives of this forum but wanted to confirm my thoughts.
There is a new toilet that was installed in the basement to replace and old broken one. Every time I run the washer and it drains I get water leakage from the one side of the toilet at the base plus the water level in the toilet seems low. Now I haven't stared at the toilet yet while the washer is draining but I am pretty sure from my research that there is either a blockage somewhere or the fact that there is no venting for the washer is the reason which makes even more sense because I get a gurgling from the kitchen sink.
The sink and tub in the main bathroom drain just fine where the washer drain system seems to have been put in at a later time with PVC.
Do I sound about correct in determining my problem, of course I am going to have my plumber come in anyways.
Thank you
#2
05-18-08, 10:40 AM
Is there a way you can wet vent the washer? If not, aside from bringing in your plumber just yet, you may want to install a Studor vent, or Air Admittance Valve to give air to the washer drain.
#3
05-18-08, 11:11 AM
Thanks for the advice. I am a novice at plumbing but know the basic principles. I am going to observe the toilet when the washer drains to make sure the problem is its sucking air from the toilet. The house is a small one story ranch with the washer in the kitchen with the drain in the basement.
There is a vent pipe that goes into the walk up attic but it looks like its centered above the one bathroom we have.
I looked up Studor vents and am not sure where it would go to just vent the washer.. I assume it goes somewhere branching off the drain in the basement.
There is a vent pipe that goes into the walk up attic but it looks like its centered above the one bathroom we have.
I looked up Studor vents and am not sure where it would go to just vent the washer.. I assume it goes somewhere branching off the drain in the basement.
#4
05-18-08, 12:53 PM
You are right about the location of the Studor vent, as it would have to be installed in the lateral pipe below the floor. Since you are in your basement, is there a sink? Is it possible it is vented? You can tie into that vent to admit air.
#5
05-19-08, 05:54 AM
Well last night I stared at the basement toilet with the seat up when the washer drained and it bubbles like crazy practically shooting water out of the toilet and then some cloudy water comes up and then the toilet settles down and then water seeps out from the bottom of the toilet on the left side.
Also cloudy water comes up from the center floor drain of the basement. I talked to my brother who is a contractor and he said its most likely a blockage and I'll need to get someone in with a power auger to clear it out to the street.
Wife also mentioned to me that when she drains the tub in the bathroom which I know is vented properly it also does the bubbling thing in the toilet in the bathroom although not as bad as in the basement toilet when the washer drains.
Also cloudy water comes up from the center floor drain of the basement. I talked to my brother who is a contractor and he said its most likely a blockage and I'll need to get someone in with a power auger to clear it out to the street.
Wife also mentioned to me that when she drains the tub in the bathroom which I know is vented properly it also does the bubbling thing in the toilet in the bathroom although not as bad as in the basement toilet when the washer drains.
#6
05-19-08, 09:54 AM
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Are you on city sewer or septic tank?
If you are on septic, When was the last time the tank was pumped?
Let's start by answering these.
If you are on septic, When was the last time the tank was pumped?
Let's start by answering these.
#7
05-19-08, 10:06 AM
toilet backs up
It sounds to me that you have 3 problems starting with your drain is partially clogged and possibly the vent stack too. The 3rd issue is your wax ring is not completely seated and leaks when the drain line tries to vent through the toilet. I'd start by rodding from the roof with enough 1/2" rod to reach roof to basemnent floor plus 20'.
#8
05-19-08, 10:26 AM
Originally Posted by plumbingods
Are you on city sewer or septic tank?
If you are on septic, When was the last time the tank was pumped?
Let's start by answering these.
If you are on septic, When was the last time the tank was pumped?
Let's start by answering these.
#9
05-19-08, 12:58 PM
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I would not worry about the vent at this time. See if you can find a clean out in the cellar to snake from. If not you can pul the toilet and snake it from there.
You should pull the toilet and replace the wax seal when done anyway.
You should pull the toilet and replace the wax seal when done anyway.
#10
05-20-08, 01:58 PM
Originally Posted by plumbingods
I would not worry about the vent at this time. See if you can find a clean out in the cellar to snake from. If not you can pul the toilet and snake it from there.
You should pull the toilet and replace the wax seal when done anyway.
You should pull the toilet and replace the wax seal when done anyway.
#11
05-23-08, 04:56 PM
Well the line was power snaked and found a bunch of roots (young ones) in the line near the road (between house and road)
There is a pine tree right where the pipe goes out so it almost has to be from that since I found the roots towards the road and not from the back part of the house where I have some big trees also.
Plumber told me to get some root kill stuff every 1/2 months to burn the roots and eventually put a clean out in the basement end nearest the road to make it a lot easier to clean it out if I had to.
There is a pine tree right where the pipe goes out so it almost has to be from that since I found the roots towards the road and not from the back part of the house where I have some big trees also.
Plumber told me to get some root kill stuff every 1/2 months to burn the roots and eventually put a clean out in the basement end nearest the road to make it a lot easier to clean it out if I had to.
