Please help diagnose plumbing problem

[Katia]

Hi,

I don't know anything about plumbing and am having a problem in my new place, which is an old small cottage with a septic system. It started about a month ago, where when I used my double kitchen sink soap bubbles would come out the other side. Now the sink gets completely backed up with water whenever using it, which then drains on its own all of a sudden usually a few minutes later. Also, when I take a long shower the toilet bubbles and the shower eventually also backs up and then randomly drains on its own usually a few minutes later. Meanwhile, all this causes the kitchen sink to gurgle. I tried Green Gobbler to no avail. I would like a better sense of what the problem is so I know where to start. Thanks!

 

[arctic bill]

when is the last time you had the septic tank pumped out ?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Yep as suggested get your septic system serviced.

 

[Katia]

Hi,

Thanks so much... though I am curious why the kitchen sink is the first to get stopped up after water is only running from it for less than a minute. The shower takes about 10 minutes before getting backed up. Also the kitchen sink is pretty regularly gurgling. So I initially thought the issue or at least one of the issues was with the kitchen sink? How can you tell if the septic tank is the main or only issue?

 

[Katia]

I also should mention that I don't smell anything.

 

[GReynolds929]

Kitchen sink is probably the closest fixture to the septic tank.

 

[Ed O'Connell]

2 separtate problems. 1.) Main line "soft" stoppage or septic tank problem - this is why your toilet "gurgles" & your shower backs up when toilet flushed. Simply stated the shower is the lowest fixture so water will rise there first as it backs up in main line. 2.) "Soft" stoppage in kitchen sink. Same kind of problem. As one side of sink drains the other will begin to bubble & backup first, then both. // At minimum, you need kitchen drain cleared, main line cleared, plus a septic tank and leach-field check. // I'd look for a plumber who does that kind of work, or a septic company that can check septic system and also clears drains. // A sewer camera check is almost a necissity, and some folks will do that as part of the process you need. // Get quotes! // Last, your health might be in danger because the gurgling indicates a syphoned trap which means sewer gas &/or small critters/insects have access to your home. // Might be expensive so be prepared ...

 

[Twowaxhack]

Hi,

Thanks so much... though I am curious why the kitchen sink is the first to get stopped up after water is only running from it for less than a minute. The shower takes about 10 minutes before getting backed up. Also the kitchen sink is pretty regularly gurgling. So I initially thought the issue or at least one of the issues was with the kitchen sink? How can you tell if the septic tank is the main or only issue?

The sink may not go to the septic tank. The sink might have its own separate field line. All of it could be failing. Or you might just have clogged drains.

As a first step I would have my septic system pumped and inspected to determine what plumbing fixtures that septic tank serves. You could also run a lot of water while it’s being pumped to make sure the lines are open.