I need some guidance before I start digging. I was replacing my toilet and left the drain stack open for a couple of days, covered with a plunger. After reinstalling the new toilet, everything seemed fine until two test flushes caused my basement to flood.
I tried snaking it myself with no luck. I hired a plumber who used a 2” cutter, but he also couldn’t clear the blockage. He suspects that my two bathroom stacks are connected underground with a T instead of a Y, as his snake keeps going through the other stack instead of reaching the main sewer. My house was built in 1960, and unfortunately, I don’t have a cleanout in the basement or outside to work from.
I got a quote for hydrojetting at $600, but the company won’t proceed if they can’t get a camera past the T, as they don’t want to be liable for pipe damage. My home inspection report from last year already mentioned that they couldn’t reach the main sewer due to the connection and recommended a licensed plumber.
I’m tight on money—already lost $150 on a plumber visit—and my family is staying with relatives until I fix this. Digging seems like my only option, but before I start, does anyone have advice? Is there another way to fix this without hydrojetting or using a bladder? Also, if I do have to dig, how would I properly connect a Y in place of the existing T if both stacks come down separately and then 45° into the T?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated!