[greenflash245]

don't screw around, call roto rooter

[Inspector Mark]

I recommend you the the sewer lines video scoped. It should only cost a couple of hundred dollars. This will show you exactly what's going on. You can have anything from a broken pipe, offset pipe joints, debris, grease buildup, etc. Before trying home made remedies it's best to see what is going on. Having the pipes, snaked, hydro jetted, or roto rootered could cause more damage depending on what going on.

[arbajeda]

We had that problem. Found out that that the sewer drains for us and our neighbors converge to a 6 inch drain that goes to the street. Called CDD utilities (their number can be found here, Village Community Development Districts) and they sent out a vacuum truck. They told us that if the problem was our drain line we would have to pay a service charge, but the problem turned out to be rocks in the 6 inch pipe that was forming a dam that kept the line from draining into the street. They removed rocks and other construction debris and we haven't had problems since. A plumber will not check this out and that's why it returns for some. And the people who came out for us told us that this is a common problem.

[wiltma]

We had the same problem with both our toilets. We replaced the one with the most
Problem with a more powerful flush from Lowe’s.

[dadoiron]

Originally Posted by FromNY

Was a nasty habit years ago that when building the workers threw lots of things down the drains. Actually took items out such as paint brushes. They even buried paint cans and garbage on the property. I would like to think this practice has stopped. 18years ago there were numerous builders in each neighborhood. Mike Scott is excellent. We normally put Clorax down shower drains once a month that seems to get the smells out.

Seems they threw concrete pieces down ours. The plumber (Mike Scott plumbing) roto rooted ours and there was a loud banging when it hits the concrete pieces. I saw them flow by in bits. He didn't want to say anything about it since the service was still within warranty and cost us nothing.

My experience is these builders are some of the worst around. They should be fired.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by laryb

Our master bath toilet keeps getting blocked, sometimes even blocking the guest bath toilet. When I plunger it, we get a sewerage smell from the shower and sinks. When I shut the drains in the sink and plunge, it seems to help clear it. I have a feeling that this might be more of a problem with the vents. Anyone have a similar problem?

Before we moved to TV our toilets flushed but very slow for about 5 yrs. I started getting a little discouraged about sewage or water going down so slow. I fought it for a week or 2, finally I got my extension ladder out & climb on the roof, low & behold both of our vent pipes still had the plugs in them. The builder came within 2 hrs. & took the plugs out himself. After that those toilets could flush a 10 lb. bag of sand down. All I’m saying is it could be some neighbor on the same line flushing wet wipes or tampons down their toilets. Hope you figure it out!

[DonnaNi4os]

In my opinion, it is better to call a plumber than deal with a catastrophic backup. I’ve heard of people who have had toilet waste back up into their shower. One thing I learned from years of having a septic system and 4 kids is to use single ply toilet tissue. Good luck.

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by xcaligirl

Same problem! I asked around the neighborhood but nobody else seems to have the problem or can't smell it!! I finally convinced the hubby to call Mike Scott (we've always had them and we're terrific). They showed up, turned on every faucet in the house and garage, let them run for about 15 minutes, opened up the sewer out front and it flushed through.... He wouldn't put a snake down the drain to make sure there was no obstruction. In his opinion, it was "fixed" and his job was finished. About 2 weeks later, same smell, same problem. I know I won't be calling Mike Scott back to the house to turn on faucets...I'll try the 'coke trick' first...We never had bad service prior and haven't tried them again. Don't know if it was an isolated issue with the technician!

It is NOT an isolated problem. I have a sewer smell coming from the shower and like you I called Mike Scott Plumbing. The plumber said there was nothing wrong and didn't do anything to fix it. The problem is still there! The only thing different is that I am out $200 for nothing. I have used Mike Scott Plumbing quite a few times but no more. Can anyone suggest a better plumber?

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by mike1946

Go and get a few 2 liter bottles of the cheapest coca cola you can find ... the rougher the better - that stuff is about 68% phosphoric acid and will disolve things like hair blockages etc. Give your drain 2 liters a day for about a week ...Worked for me - saw it on the web !! Cheaper than a plumber.

Thanks! I'll try this.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by willbush

I put Drano Max down our toilets & shower drain every 3 months plus take off metal drain off shower drain and clean out hair which clog up near to of drain: no issues for 10 yrs;Also pour 1 gallon of warm water with bleach down A/C drain every 2 monts;again no issues in 10 yrs; neighbors who didn't do it all have had plugging up issues; preventative maintenance = no need for a plumber; Good Luck

be careful--our realtor told us to not use that stuff, as our pipes are plastic, & could possibly eat through it

[msilagy]

Yes I had the same issue and called Mike Scott Plumbing.......I had backup in both toilets and when I plunged the master bath toilet it backed up in the shower. I live in a courtyard villa so the guest bathroom is closest to the street. That also backed up although I only use it on occasion. When the plumber got here he plunged the guest bathroom toilet (I never did that) over and over till it ran thru. Checked the master bath toilet and that flushed thru also. He said I should have plunged the toilet closest to the street as he did to clear the clog. I had only been plunging the master bath as that's the one I use mostly. I hope this works for you and saves a $109 repair bill.

[laryb]

Thanks for all the responses. I do realize that calling a plumber is the obvious solution, but sometimes the "obvious solution" isn't the only solution. This has gone on for the past 7-8 months, but only intermittently. Everything is fine for 3-4 weeks, then I have to plunge both toilets. We only use Scotts single ply paper, since we had septic up north and prefer it. Strangely enough, the drains in the bathroom sinks still work when this happens. I usually do most of the repairs in my house, as I worked in maintenance in a power plant for 30 years, so I know how to use tools, and like to solve problems myself, if I can. Problem is, I draw the line at snaking sewer lines. I'm going to try the Green Gobbler main drain cleaner, and if the problem reoccurs I'll call a plumber. I will let everyone know the results.

[llmcdaniel]

Maybe work quality is slipping since Mike’s death in a car wreck. I would bring your experience to whoever runs the company now.

[Alaska Butch]

Probably hair. Pull out the drain switch on the side of the tub. Clean hair out. You can try draino as well. Or pay $80 for a plumber.

[gbs317]

We had the same problem. CPM plumbing used a scope down the drain and found an obstruction in the sewer line. He snaked it out, actually did it with the scope which was weird but it worked. No more problems for three years now.
It seems the laborers who built the houses like to throw all sorts of junk down the open pipes.