I think its an issue with everyone's water running throught mine but im not sure what to tell the landlord. Id rather have some sort of knowledge about it before bringing it up otherwise he acts like he knows what to do and it never gets fixed the right way. I live in the basement unit of a 3 unit building. My kitchen sink is directly underneath the other 2 sinks above our unit. Whenever I can hear their water running, my sinks gurgle and most likely start to fill. It didnt start happening until about the end of the 2nd month living here, I brought it up to landlord before he said he needed some stop valve but i think its a bigger issue than that. Its been 3 weeks and still no word. Looking to have serious call today but would like some input on exactly what the problem is.

Also looking for info on why every time it rains or lots of snow melts, there's a pipe in the utility room on my floor that I see a ton of water going into an uncovered hole in the floor and it smells like sewage.

Thanks for your time,
Erik

you have MAJOR plumbing issues

OR

you simply have a partial 'main' stoppage

landlord: should snake / video / fix drain

tenant: should make sure the building has a 'certificate of occupancy' for apartment in basement ~ if not, and you have a lease, see an attorney ~ if so, and plumbing issues continue, give notice and moooooove

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

It sounds like the landlord knows there is a problem with the sewer main backing up. That smells like sewage, because it is. It is not a healthy enviroment to be living in.

And now you know the reason, the last renters left. Being that low, you attract everything overhead from the other units.
Your landlord is aware of his responsibility and must have the line cleared, cleaned and inspected with a camera. I'm sure that someday he will get around to it..... someday.

Best Wishes

Wheelchair....From the description, I'm not so sure it isn't backing up from the street.

The kitchen issue is most likely not a big deal. There may be blockage in the vertical stack right before it goes into the main... or it can be just after. All three kitchen feed into this stack and since water takes the path of least resistance it comes up your drain. You need to rod the line out with a decent size head from your kitchen drain. Been thru this before...

The other issue sounds like a missing sump pump cover? Any pics?

It is best to talk to your landlord nicely and remind him... nicely. Remind him that its best he fixed it sooner than later because otherwise the water from the kitchen drain will overflow and flood his building. Again, the key word is nicely.

Alright thanks guys. Plumber and landlord are finally coming today said their getting a commercial rodder. Will see what happens.

Mud was found at the end of the rod they put down the drain. Plumber said it sounds like the cast iron broke under our floor. From look on his face it looked serious.



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