Sewage Coming Up Through the Bathtub

Sewage coming up through you bathtub?

We’ll help you understand why sewage is coming up through your bathtub and how to fix its most common causes.

• Why Sewage Is Coming Up Through Your Bathtub
• How to Fix a Sewer Line Clog
• Early Warning Signs of a Blocked Sewer Line

Why Sewage Is Coming Up Through Your Bathtub

When raw sewage makes its way into your bathtub, it usually has nothing to do with your tub itself. Instead, the sewer line near the tub is causing the issue. A broken or clogged sewer line can force sewage back up the line. When this happens, any open drain can become a pathway for sewage to enter your house.

So, what could be obstructing your sewer line? Here are five common culprits:

• Hair – Hair can slowly accumulate in your pipes (often intertwining with other objects) and stop drain flow.
• Food – Chunks of food from rinsed-off dishes can gather in your sewer line, forming a blockage.
• Grease – Cooking oils, grease, and fat are particularly good at clogging drains.
• Nature – Dirt, rocks, twigs, tree roots, and rodents can clog your sewer line.
• Objects – Any random foreign objects, such as bar soap bits, floss, jewelry, or even toys, can cause a blockage in your line.

It can be difficult to tell which of these issues has led to a clog. To determine the exact cause, you need to hire a plumber to perform a plumbing video inspection.

How to Fix a Sewer Line Clog

You’ll need professional help to clear a clog in your sewer line. However, there are some things you can try to loosen blockages in the smaller connecting pipes. Keep in mind that there are risks associated with these methods, so it’s still best to call a plumber.

Turn off the water

At the first sign of a sewer line clog, turn off your main water supply. This can prevent worsening water damage in your home. If your house has an outside sewer cleanout line, removing the cap will release the pressure in the line and force any sewage backup down the drain.

Check your vent pipe

When vent pipes become blocked, it prevents your sewer line from draining. Head up to your roof and search for your vent pipe, which is likely over your bathroom. If you see that the vent pipe is blocked, try to remove any obstructions near the opening.

Snake the drain

Drain snakes can be helpful for clearing clogs in your drains. Feed a toilet drain snake down the toilet, spinning clockwise on the way down. Use caution with this method, as it can make permanent marks on the toilet finish. As you pull the snake out, cautiously twist counterclockwise. Next, remove the screws on the shower drain cover and pull it off. Then, using the same technique you did when snaking your toilet, break up the clog in your shower drain.

Call a professional

Still clogged? If your toilet and bathtub remain blocked after attempting each of these strategies, you likely have a bigger problem on your hands. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing will locate the source of the clog. Whether your clog is caused by tree roots or cooking grease, our trained plumbing professionals have the equipment and know-how to restore your home’s plumbing.

What Are Some Early Warning Signs of a Blocked Sewer Line?

If you can identify the early symptoms of a sewer line clog in the works, you can address it before you have to deal with a shower full of sewage. Here are the most common:

• Slow and low – If you notice that water drains very slowly from all of your drains, you may be witnessing a warning sign of a sewer line problem. Usually, the lowest drains in the house are affected first.
• Gurgling drains – A bubbling noise coming from your toilet or another drain in your home could indicate that your sewer line is slowly clogging.
• Common clogs – Frequent drain or toilet clogs indicate that something bad is happening in your sewer line.
• Waterlogged sewer cleanout – Some homes have a pipe that extends to the exterior of the house, known as a sewer cleanout. Plumbers use it to easily clear out blockages. Drained wastewater around the sewer cleanout is an early sign of a clog.
• Migrating water – When water from one area backs up out of a different drain, that’s a sure sign of sewer line issues.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Help with Sewage Coming Up Through Your Bathtub

At the first sign of trouble, seek a solution to avoid permanent or costly damage to your home. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for help or request an estimate online. Our plumbers will provide a solution and get the job done right the first time