What does it mean when all of the toilets in your house begin to drain verrrrry slowly, and then bubble slowly after they've finished draining?

Google says:

If this turns out to be those damned squirrels putting stuff in the vent, It's going to be squirrelmagedon in my back yard.

Thanks Trevor.

SQUIRREL!!!!

Something not venting properly, sure enough.

Are you on a municipal sewer or a septic tank?

And the winner is...

Tree roots in the sewage line!

The good news is that he was able to clear the roots out without damaging the line (they worked in where the concrete pipe from the house linked to the metal pipe that links to the city line. Thankful that it was relatively inexpensive but was big enough that I didn't feel like a fool for hiring a plumber. (I hate it when I call a pro and they fix the problem by pulling a leaf out of an air vent or something.)

Thanks for all of the helpful advice.

You all receive a home version of our gameshow.

So, he cut the roots out, but the pipe still has holes in it where the roots came in, or did you dig down to the pipe and replace that section? If the former, won't the roots just grow back PDQ?

They'll eventually come back. The pipe will need replacing one day with a more modern material like PVC.

But, to quote Aragorn . . . . IT IS NOT THIS DAY!

I've done the pipe replacing thing because of roots and rocks crushing the pipes.

I have said for years that someone could make a LOT of money if they could invent a way to make plumbing easier - a special leak-proof connection for the pipes perhaps. The current process is like something from the Dark Ages and only leads to the invention of more profanity.

There are of a lot of these things out there --I've re-plumbed half my house in conjunction with my basement project. PVC is pretty idiot proof, and have you heard of PEX? Also these things called "shark bites" or "gator bites" are good for making repairs.

This is the wikipedia entry about PEX. My dad has the whole set and I use it whenever I want.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-linked_polyethylene

I wasn't home, he dealt with my wife. But I'm assuming that since it was at the connection, the roots were working their way into the area where the pipes connect and not breaking into the pipes themselves. He said that he didn't recommend replacing anything at this time, but if it becomes a recurring problem that he can replace the pipes.

FUCK YOU.

He he he he he

Don't get that glue in any funny places.

Yeah, roots will come back. They seek the water, and it sounds like they found it, and they'll invade further to ensure they keep it. How long will it take before they're big enough to block your drain again? I dunno, but long enough to wait until winter is over, anyway. I had to dig into a frozen street in the middle of winter once. Not cheap.

Plumbing??

Where's Don?

Yes, PEX is vastly superior to PVC. It costs a little more, especially if you use shark bite fittings, but if you need to do a quick repair, it's awesome.