apt building tub/toilet help

[oreome32278]

hello,

i just moved into a 30 unit apt building on the basement level with 3 levels above me ... within my first 30 days of moving in my toilet was clogged. i knew there was a problem as the tub water, when drained, would come up the toilet and overflow.. the toilet was unflushable and the tub at the worst point had waste backing up into it?... my maintenance man snaked and advised me i was using to much toilet paper....
i have monitored my use of toilet paper and went to flush the toilet yesterday and it overflowed... if i run the tub water, it comes out the toilet again.. however, i plunged and with my other maintenance man had a 25ft snake down the toilet and tub.. no clog... what could possibly be causing this problem.. they indicated they have never had this problem with any of the units before....i've only lived here 60 days and lived in apt buildings all my life and have never clogged a toilet or had any plubming issues other than a dripping faucet...

however, both instances did occur after a week of prolonged rain.... what are any of the possibilities for problems here?? any help would truly be appreciated... i love my apt, but i'm afraid of being evicted if i continue to have this issue??

please help me

[Mr T]

No matter what it isnt your problem at this point. Its very possible that someone else could be the cause of the clogged line. I would go straight to the landlord with this, so that at least your side of the arugment with maintenance is heard.

Unless your tub was all the way full, the highest point in the toilet bowl is higher then your tub. It is not possible to overflow the toilet from the tub WITHOUT a outside force or supply of water... such as from the units above you, or a sink.

It sounds like the clog is outside/past your unit. The main line for your area of the complex is bigger then the 4" line coming out of your unit. I'd guess that some of that water overflowing is coming from above you. If this is the case and more then 1 person above you flushes or showers at the same time... guess what... your getting wet!

If they wont resolve it then... I'd get out of there. (or thoroughly video tape the entire apartment.) WHo knows what they will accuse you of next?

[oreome32278]

thanks for the response.. i already videotaped the first time it happened... it's funny.. the tub is empty now and the water level in the toilet is bare minimum.. if i run the water in the tub.. the toilet girgles and starts to fill up with water!!! my landlord is getting a plumber in here tuesday... is it possible the line for the sewer system is broke or tree in it?... i know the clog has to be either above me or below me, i don't think i could have done anything in the 60 days that i've been here to cause this sort of problem... it makes sense that it is hitting me since i'm the bottom apartment with 3 levels above me and no one else is having a problems.. getting him to understand that is another story entirely......

[joed]

The problem is not above you. It is likely below you. The plumber should be able to send a camera down the drain line. That will tell the story of what the problem is.
The 25' snake was probably just too short. The problem is further into the main line.

[mdshunk]

Just an FYI, as a current landlord and former renter. You can go to the courthouse and put your rent in "escrow" if this trouble isn't fixed. That might get their attention. Also, since having sanitary facilities is a reasonable expectation, you can move if this isn't fixed and face no penalty and still get your security deposit back. This is called a "constructive eviction". If the conditions are unbarable for any reasonable reason, you can move without penalty.