Sewage backup in tub and toilet: common causes and how to fix them

Engineering communications have entirely changed our life, giving us modern comfort. Just think, any king from the Middle Ages could not even dream of the conveniences that every person in our country can afford nowadays. But this coin has a reverse side. For example, a sewer blockage can sometimes have your toilet and bathtub backed up and spoil all the plumbing functionality. Superior Plumbing & Heating is glad to share the necessary information about resisting all the blockages.

Clogged sewer – how to spot the problem?

The first alarm signal that has to alert you is that the water in the sewer began to drain more slowly than usual. The second sign of clogged sewer is an unpleasant smell in the bathroom or the entire dwelling. Also, you should pay attention to the gurgling sounds when the water is drained. Do not hesitate to contact the plumbing service because untimely repairs can lead to more severe consequences, for example, sewage backup.

What is the reason for the malfunction?

Many sewerage problems arise from improper operation. Hair, paper, grease and other objects can get trapped in the pipes, causing issues over time.

The reasons include the wrong layout of the sewage system. A large number of pipe turns during long-term operation leads to clogging.

A large amount of small debris is clogged precisely at the bends of the sewer. Therefore, it is recommended to seek help from experienced plumbing specialists, who will inspect the whole sewerage system in such cases.

Also, one of the sources of trouble, oddly enough, is the water itself. Or rather, it’s quality. Hard water often leaves a deposit inside the pipe, which interferes with the quality of the water passage.

The following plumbing issue applies to houses. Tree roots may be the reason for pipes’ damage and, therefore, breakdowns and clog.

Clogged bathroom drain: how to prevent such an outcome?

The bathroom is an inevitable part of our dwellings. The normal functioning of the equipment in this room depends on the condition of the drains and sewerage system. Therefore, everyone should know how to properly care for these blessings of civilization to avoid water backing up in the bathtub and toilet and severe other plumbing issues.

First of all, it is necessary to set all the equipment properly from the outset. As they say: “A good beginning makes a good ending”! Thus, choose plumbers carefully, pay attention to reviews about this company, and that’s it!

Our second task is to use this system properly. Avoid throwing large debris into your toilet, for example, insoluble components of toilet paper or moist towelette. To protect your sewage from sweepings, we recommend you install filter grates on the drains.

Speaking about professional methods of sewerage maintenance, it is worth highlighting the mechanical and hydrodynamic flushing methods. Hydrodynamic is the most modern method and implies high pressure.

Nevertheless, professional mechanical pipe cleaning is more effective, as it helps to fight buildups inside the pipe. This work is carried out by professionals who have special equipment and enough experience under their belts.

Toilet backing up but not clogged

“That’s a bit of a weird situation, isn’t it?” Well, in general, this is not so strange. People often encounter it without realizing it simply because the “symptoms of the disease” are not coming to the front, or users can’t spot them.

The very first hint is the bits of paper, which stubbornly refuse to be washed off. In this case, the issue most likely lies in the weak water pressure. There is not enough water in the toilet tank to flush out all the impurities.

The culprit of the breakdown can be either a simple blockage in the tank drain hole or a more serious one. For example, rubber parts over a drain hole can lose elasticity due to salts, water hardness, or chemicals.

In the first case, it will be sufficient to clean the drain hole from debris and plaque. In the second, you should resort to the help of specialists who will replace the unusable parts. The third typical breakdown is damage to the toilet bowl enamel. Even after a powerful flush, various chips and cracks on the enamel can retain impurities in the toilet bowl itself. In this case, the best solution would be to replace the toilet completely, but you can resort to less radical methods. Simple repairs may also be relevant. It is better to entrust the issue to professionals in their craft.

The other cause of toilet backup is connected to the incorrect design of your sewer. When installing the toilet independently, people often do it incorrectly. Because of this, the flow of water soon after installation may become insufficient for the correct operation of the flush system. This malfunction can happen due to the wrong angle of inclination of the pipes. Therefore, when installing a toilet, it is better to contact your local plumber.

Some toilets can cause this problem, due to their design, for example, a toilet bowl with a shelf. Therefore, when buying or replacing a toilet bowl, we recommend that you carefully consider your choice.

What can you do to unclog sewer line by yourself

In most cases, the cause of such challenging issues is the pollution of the sewer itself, not just its fragments directly near the toilet or bathroom. When the problem lies in the entire system, comprehensive measures should be taken. This may require a mechanical or chemical sewer pipe cleaning method. It would be wiser to gain all-inclusive measures to eliminate the malfunction.

If the toilet is backing up into the tub, the clog could be more local. In this case, a simple solution of salt and vinegar can help. The ingredients must be mixed in equal proportions. The solution should be poured directly down the drain for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully pour boiling water into the drain of the tub.

Snaking a toilet method against backups

The plumbing snake actually is not that scary as the real one. Snake is a valuable device, which is an inalienable tool in the set of plumber’s equipment. The instrument received this name because of its similarity with a real snake. This is a long metal cable that pulls out all the rubbish causing the blockage. There are several types of them, but the toilet snake is what we need. When you face your bathtub backing up into the toilet, this is your reliable ally.

Attention! If you decide to use this unit yourself, make sure it has a rubber protector to avoid scratching the toilet lining. As we mentioned earlier, damage to the enamel can lead to problems with flushing, the solution of which will require a radical approach.