our toilet is clogged, can't be plunged. there is "stuff" coming up through our bath tub drain. when we wash dishes or use the washer, the tiolet starts to overflow and the bathtub starts to back up. also, the pipes downstairs leak, almost like a shower at the same time the bowl is filling and bathtub is backing up. they drained the septic tank and used an auger underneath the toilet bowl. what is wrong!!
COMMUNITY FORUM
It is either the line going to the septic tank is clogged (inside or outside the house) or your drainfield has failed. You could have roots in the line to the septic tank and even with the tank empty, you will have a backup.
If the drainfield is in a high water table due to heavy rain, it will act the same way. Since a drainfield only works if the ground is dry, so the water can leech into the soil (like water leeches into a paper towel); if the drinfield (gavel or sand bed) the pipes are in is saturated, they will act like a collector rather than a distributer of water.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
If the drainfield is in a high water table due to heavy rain, it will act the same way. Since a drainfield only works if the ground is dry, so the water can leech into the soil (like water leeches into a paper towel); if the drinfield (gavel or sand bed) the pipes are in is saturated, they will act like a collector rather than a distributer of water.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
