HELP! I think I have two problems.
1) MY sump pump has been on constantly for well over 2 weeks, as is my neighbors. Surrounding my sump pump, which is located outside, the ground/grass is completely saturated and has been for weeks. Apparently there is a natural spring that runs underground on my street. Is this normal? We haven't had any rain for at least a week.

2) When my washing machine or dishwasher drains, my toilet on the same level bubbles. Obviously not a good sign. Do I have a blockage? Are 1 & 2 related? The bubbles started happening about the same time. Coincidence?

Thanks everyone!!

 

I can't help you with number 1. It sounds like you already have the answer if your neighbors pump is doing the same as yours.
Problem 2 sounds like a plugged (or non-existing) vent line. If the vent is plugged, it will suck the water out of the traps in any other fixture to get air. It needs air to drain properly. If you can safely get on the roof, check the vent with a flashlight for blockages. Remove all that you can by hand and then flush it with a garden hose. This problem needs to be addressed as sewer gas will enter the house through any trap that is not full of water to seal it. Good luck.

 

I too have this similar problem. When I flush the toilet, bubbles in the sink or tub, when she runs the washer downstairs and it drains, you can hear it bubble in our bath tub upstairs. I have looked everywhere for the vent myself and do not see one. What can I do to find it if there is one and if not what do I need to do to fix the bubbling. Thanks!

 

All main vents "should" exit through the roof. I have seen some that merely end in the attic. This is not only illegal, but dangerous. If you look on the roof, you should see at least one pipe exiting the roof. This will be the vent. thats where to start checking. Each fixture (toilet, sinks and tubs) should have their own line that ties into the main ventstack. Some areas allow an Air Admittance Valve for a vent that is located at the highest point under a sink. It is just past the trap and allows air to enter but gases are blocked from exiting.

 

Toilet bubbling and it's the sewer that overflowing now

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OK, my sump pump seems to be fine, but we are having sewage drainage come out from the top of the cover in our lawn now. I thought the it was a sump pump, but apparently it's a grinder/pump of some sort. I had the two mixed up, sorry. I had the county service authority come out here and they said the main street line is clear, that the problem is definately our problem. So....do you think that we have a block on the main line to the pump or do you think it's the vent still? What should I do from here. My husband bought a pump to pump the water out as it is well over 8 feet deep in the hole. Does he need to snake it from the pump, or from the main level toilet? What if the problem is from our grinder thing to the city sewer line? How would we snake that? It seems like we are well over are head here and may have to call a plumber if we don't get this working by tomorrow. Thanks!!!

 

Thanks to all who took time to read this and helped us figure out what to do. My husband did fix it and it actually was a jammed chopper/pump in the side sewer not a blocked vent. We recently moved in and someone must have flushed a jean type of material down the toilet. The fabric was wound around the pump and my husband actually had to drain the sewer, pull up the pump to untagle to cloth. Cabling did not work. Very gross job but glad things are running smoothly now. Thanks again to all!