Some things should be kept apart, like your toilet and your shower. It is not a problem if your toilet is clogged, but if your toilet is backing up into the shower, it can make things worse. You may forget this for years, but these two systems are interconnected, and if one of them is broken, you might see adverse effects on the other.
Is it your toilet backing up into your shower?
If your toilet is functioning properly, the water will drain through your sewer line and transport wastewater from your home to the main sewer. If water is leaking from your toilet’s drain, it could be an obstruction. Your drains can be compared to a river with its tributaries. Your main sewer line is composed of smaller streams (secondary sewer-lines).
Your main sewer line can become clogged even partially. This can lead to backups in your smaller sewer lines like the ones that connect to your toilet or shower.
Your line could be blocked by a variety of things. Here’s a list of most likely culprits.
- Tree roots Trees need water. Your sewer line is a good source of moisture. Tree roots are intelligent and can withstand dry conditions. Your sewer line could be reached by a tree that is growing next to your house. Roots can eventually get into your sewer line and cause a blockage.
- Foreign objects that have been flushed: Toys for children, feminine hygiene products and thick toilet paper can block your sewer line. Only water, human waste and biodegradable toilet papers should be flushed down the toilet. You could end up with serious damage if you do not limit your options.
- Hair: Although it happens gradually, hair can fall out while we bathe. Although it isn’t a significant amount, it can cause problems as it traps other substances and makes it difficult to drain. Hair can block your drain and slow down or stop drainage.
- Pipe scale. Scale refers to a mineral layer that is usually made of calcium or magnesium, which are naturally found in our water. As these elements are not left behind, scale can form on any surface where water meets, even your pipes. This can cause a blockage in your sewer lines.
- Grease Fats and oils can be a problem if they are allowed to enter drainage systems. These substances can get into your bathroom’s sewer line by being washed off of dirty dishes in the kitchen. If grease is able to build up enough to clog the main line, it could cause problems in all of the drains.
- Other miscellaneous substances: Sometimes it is not one thing that causes a sewer line blockage but many other objects and substances. Your toilet and shower drains could be blocked by soap residue, laundry detergent, and other substances.
The Solution: How to stop your toilet from backing up into your shower
It’s time for you to fix the problem.
We’re not going to recommend that you use drain cleaners that promise to remove any clog. Drain cleaner can actually make the problem worse. These are some ways to get rid of a sewer line clog.
- Keep your head above water: It might be a good idea not to use the main water supply. You could flood your home if the clog becomes so large that it causes water to rise in your shower drain. The location of your main water supply shutoff can be found in your basement, garage, or near the water heater.
- Snake it down: If you have one, a drain snake can unclog the pipe. Start by carefully feeding the toilet snake down the toilet. This can leave permanent marks on the toilet’s finish. As you insert the drain, spin the snake clockwise. Then turn it counterclockwise to pull it out. The shower drain cover can be removed by removing the screws. Turn the drain snake clockwise in the pipe, and counterclockwise out. If you are successful, the snake will pull the clog out of the pipe.
- Clear the air. Sometimes, toilet water can back up into your shower due to a blocked vent pipe. Locate your vent pipe from the roof. It will likely be located above your bathroom. Use a flashlight to search the pipe for obstructions. You can remove any obstructions near the pipe’s top using a retrieval tool. Spray a garden hose into the pipe to remove any debris, or use a drain snake.
- Get help from a professional Long Beach Plumber: If you have tried everything, but nothing has worked, it is time to call a local Long Beach Plumber. Our Long Beach Plumbers will evaluate the situation and recommend the best solution. No matter what the cause, from tree roots or pipe scale, our trained Long Beach Plumbers have the technology and expertise to complete the job.