Bubbling Toilet When Flushing and also with Heavy Rain? Drainage and wastage systems and plumbing help, advice and answers

[edg]

Hi,

This is my first post but I couldn't find anything along these lines by searching the forum..

We moved house almost a month ago and ever since, the toilet has bubbled every flush - it bubbles from the bowl. What with one thing and another, I haven't had any proper time to investigate this.. but admittedly haven't really prioritised it as the toilet still flushes fine with no slow drain or anything.

We've had loads of heavy rain and at 3am this morning, the toilet starting bubbling all on its own. It did this for about 4 or 5 minutes and then stopped.. around 2 hours later, it did it again for about a minute. I was scared to flush the toilet for a while but plucked up the courage about 1.5 hrs after the last bubbling - it still flushes fine but continues to bubble.

The bungalow was built around 1970 and I can't see any obvious vents outside.. The toilet doesn't bubble when the bath empties or anything along those lines... does anyone have any ideas?!

Thanks

[plumbbob]

There is a possibility that there is a blockage in the pipe underground somewhere. Air escaping back up a drain or toilet is a classic symptom.

It needs to be investigated as a priority especially considering the amount of rain we are having recently. It is conceivable the toilet may start to back up and not flush.

Check outside for a manhole cover and lift it.

[edg]

Thanks for the advice! Although, due to the length of time it took for this post to be approved, it got light (let alone dark again) before there was a reply. So It was already sorted.

I opened the first manhole and it was obviously blocked, opened the rodding access which was also full, then opened the manhole before the road and it was empty. I deduced that the blockage must be between those two. So, after rodding that section, the flow came through with great speed... unfortunately, there was obviously another blockage after that manhole too so there was some frantic attack to clear the next section.

Anyway, it's hopefully all sorted now - the house has been vacant for at least 2 years so it gave roots a lot of opportunity to grow it seems.

I've learnt a valuable lesson for next time - when one finds a drain which doesn't seem blocked, check the flow away from it before clearing a blockage higher up!! :)

Thanks again for the reply though.