Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time: Here’s What’s Happening

First, water pooled around your ankles during your morning shower. Then the toilet nearly overflowed when you flushed it. This is how it usually begins. Though it’s easy to assume you got unlucky having your toilet and shower clogged at the same time, the cause usually has nothing to do with either. It’s typically a sewer drain clog.

We’ll explain the causes behind a toilet and shower becoming clogged at the same time, how we clear these obstructions, and answer a frequently asked question about this unpleasant problem:

• Cause of a Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time
• What to Do About a Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time
• How Expert Plumbers Clear a Sewer Line Obstruction
• Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time FAQ

Cause of a Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time

Toilet and shower clogs are two of the most common plumbing issues in any home. When they happen at the same time, it’s usually because of a sewer main blockage.

Unfortunately, a sewer main clog isn’t as easy to handle as your standard sink clog. Outside of clearing the vent, there’s little you can do to move this clog out of your system. It’s always best to call a professional plumber to perform a video inspection rather than risk damage to your plumbing system.

What to Do About a Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time

If your toilet and shower are clogged at the same time, one thing you can try is checking your vent.

Usually, the vent is located on the roof above your bathroom. Sometimes, dead leaves and other blockages can get into the vent. If the obstruction is near the vent opening, you can use gloves or a small grabbing tool to pull out the debris.

It may be tempting to pinpoint the exact location of the clog in your sewer line by running all the fixtures in your home. We don’t recommend that. The better thing to do is turn off your water supply to prevent sewage from backing up in drains throughout your home. We have much more sophisticated methods of locating the obstruction, including plumbingvideo camera inspection.

How Expert Plumbers Clear a Sewer Line Obstruction

If none of the above tactics work, or you don’t want to accidentally damage your plumbing system, call your local Mr. Rooter®Plumbing. We’ll diagnose your plumbing system and clearly lay out a pricing estimate for the job before we start anything.

Depending on what we find, our professional plumbers may use one of several methods to remove the obstruction or repair the sewer main. Often, we find an obstruction—tree roots, grease—in the main sewer line. Oursewer line repairmethods include the following:

• HydroScrub^®Service: Using pressurized water jets, our expert plumbers eradicate tree roots, debris, and other buildup such as grease or pipe scale. Our advancedHydroScrub^® serviceswill have your plumbing system flowing smoothly and efficiently again.
• Pipe lining: Using advanced technology, our plumbers line the sewer main with a sleeve to seal off any leakage. This eliminates exterior pipe moisture, which can attract thirsty tree roots. Ourtrenchless sewer line repairminimizes impact on your property without compromising quality.
• Pipe bursting: If the sewer line has lost its integrity (e.g., become oval-shaped or crushed), our plumbers will use pipe bursting hydraulics to break apart the old sewer pipes before installing brand-new HDPE pipe. HDPE pipe is environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and corrosion- and chemical-resistant.
• Plumbing maintenance:Mr. Rooter also offers customized inspection and drain-cleaning plans to prevent debris buildup in your sewer lines.

Toilet and Shower Clogged at the Same Time FAQ

What are the common causes of sewer line clogs?

Almost everything that goes down your drain passes through your sewer line. Clogs form in this vital piece of plumbing for various reasons, such as:

• Wet wipes: Most wet wipes - even “flushable” ones - don’t break down in the toilet. Instead, they form a large fibrous clump that sticks to the walls of your sewer lines.
• Grease: Those who habitually pour grease down the kitchen sink drain are certain to run into problems. One of the worst possible outcomes of this ill-advised practice is a sewer drain clogged with grease. Grease is notoriously difficult to get out of sewer lines, and even if you flush it further down the line, it can lead to issues with your city’s plumbing.
• Tree roots: If trees are planted too close to a sewer line, their roots will eventually spread out and break through the pipe, clogging or even shattering it.
• Improperly used garbage disposals: Anyone who treats their garbage disposal like a trash can increases the risk of clogs. Even if a clog doesn’t form in your sink drain, it could still form in your sewer line.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Professional Sewer Line Clean-out and Repair

If your shower and toilet are both clogged, it’s time to call the professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. A sewer line issue can go from bad to worse quickly, and attempting a DIY solution often leads to more problems. Save yourself some time and stress by contacting your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing today.

Call us orrequest an appointment online.