Homeowner: problems with toilettes backing up

[Janice Sarver]

I have a home with 3.5 baths. In each one we have sporadic problems with the toilettes backing up. It seems that the toilettes will each flush adequately for about 4-5 times in a row. Then they will back up. The problem doesn't seem to follow a strict pattern, but it is frequent. I'm either growing less tolerant or the problem is getting a little worse. In other words in the beginning it may have been 7-8 flushes between back-ups. now it seems to be 4-5.
Also in the master bath, I hear what seems like an abrupt and small refill of the tank perhaps? the sound only lasts about 2 seconds. I haven't noticed it in other bathrooms. But I don't spend as much time around them.

Any ideas? If it matters at all, we use Charmin and Quilted Northern. The house is about 10 y/o and uses municipal Services.

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[Brian Hannigan]

Hello Janice Sarver,

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[Garry Sorrells]

Taking that the house is a rancher or that all baths are on the same level. If there is a basement and a sanitary tub (Utility Tub) is there any sign of backup there??

Bottom line is that you have a partial blockage and it takes several flushings to fill up line. Then it drains down slowly till the process is repeated.

Most likely it's roots, collapsed or misaligned connection. Else there is something stuck in the line. Tampex , toys or pencils??? Missing any small children???

Auger the line out and problem is solved, at least for time being.

Aaaaaaaahhh the joys of home ownership.

[Jerry Peck]

Have a plumbing contractor run a video camera down the piping.

It may be a pipe which is not evenly sloped - has a dip or rise in the pipe - and catches/allows waste/debris to buildup and clog the pipe.

The camera should show the cause of the problem.

[Garry Sorrells]

Also in the master bath, I hear what seems like an abrupt and small refill of the tank perhaps? the sound only lasts about 2 seconds. I haven't noticed it in other bathrooms. But I don't spend as much time around them.

Sorry.
Check to see that the fill level is not at the overflow stand pipe in the tank,if so adjust so fill stops below top of pipe. Else, what you are hearing is the fill valve that causes a little ripple in the tank which causes the valve to open and then close as the float bobs up and down at the finial stage of filling. No big deal, something that happens .

[Joe Klampfer]

Have a plumbing contractor run a video camera down the piping.

It may be a pipe which is not evenly sloped - has a dip or rise in the pipe - and catches/allows waste/debris to buildup and clog the pipe.

The camera should show the cause of the problem.

Since it's affecting all toilets, I wonder if there isn't a venting problem going on which is only noticeable when flushing (due to the large volume of water). I've seen the odd vent cap forgotten while inspecting roofs.

[Lon Henderson]

Since it's affecting all toilets, I wonder if there isn't a venting problem going on which is only noticeable when flushing (due to the large volume of water). I've seen the odd vent cap forgotten while inspecting roofs.

Agree that venting problems are a possibility. Sometimes, these problems can take a fair amount of investigation.