In most cases, different plumbing components shouldn’t affect other areas of your plumbing system. However, issues in one part of your system could cause problems in another. If you notice sewage backing up into your shower drains, you’ll quickly realize how your plumbing system is connected.
There are many reasons why toilet water might be backing up into your shower drain. Whether you need a sewer line replacement or need to remove obstructive debris, the top-rated plumbing professionals from Nicholson can handle the issue. Our experts efficiently remove clogged sewage from your tub and shower drain.
Common Causes of Your Toilet Backing Up Into Your Shower
Your home’s sewer line is the main connection between your drains and the overall sewage system. The most common cause of your toilet backing up into your shower is a sewer line clog.
Because of the connectivity of your drains, pipes, and sewer lines, a minor clog could cause problems in more than one place. When you notice toilet water backing up in shower drains, it could indicate a problem somewhere in that smaller network of the overall sewer line. As such, professionals should inspect your system when you notice sewage coming out of your shower drain to identify the source.
In most cases, a clog in your sewer line comes from foreign objects and debris. These can find their way in through various parts of your plumbing, or you might flush them down by accident. Some common obstructions include:
- Tree roots: Believe it or not, tree roots can make their way into your sewer line. Since roots grow towards any available water sources, a tree in your yard or neighboring properties could grow into your sewage system. This obstruction becomes especially likely during dry periods or if your system leaks.
- Flushed foreign objects: Even the best plumbing systems struggle to dispose of most human-made objects. Feminine products, toys, towels, or even “flushable” wipes are some common household objects that can wreak havoc on your sewer line. If any of these obstructions make their way into your plumbing, you likely notice your toilet and shower clogged soon after.
- Hair: It’s common for a few strands of hair to fall out while you bathe. However, the accumulation of this hair can eventually clog your drain. As it gathers in your drain, hair can form a natural net that catches easily drainable objects.
- Pipe scale: Scale forms from the accumulation of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that occur naturally in your sink, shower, and bath water. Over time, pipe scale can build up on your pipes and eventually clog parts of your system. If your home struggles with hard water issues, you’ll likely have more frequent clogs from the pipe scale.
- Grease, oil, and fats: If you let a pan of bacon grease sit out after cooking, you’ll notice the substance congeals into sticky, thick lard. Putting greases, oils, and fats down your drain or washing them off dishes allows these substances to congeal within your piping. As a result, it’s no surprise that these organic substances serve as one of the biggest culprits of clogged drains.
- Other objects: In many cases, no single substance is the main culprit of your sewer line issues. Frequently, a combination of many objects and household products like detergent, soaps, and food waste cause clogs and issues for your overall system. That’s why it’s essential to call plumbing experts to identify the clog source when you notice water from your toilet backing up into tub or shower drains.
What Not To Do
Most homeowners will grab chemical cleaners or a toilet plunger if they notice sewage coming out of a shower drain. Attempting to resolve drain clogs by these means can lead to bigger issues for your system. Do not overwhelm your plumbing with corrosive chemical cleaners and aggressive plunging; call experts to resolve it instead.
Ways To Stop Your Toilet From Backing Up Into Your Shower
If you shouldn’t unclog a drain with chemical cleaners or toilet plungers, what should you do?
There are some helpful ways to stop further issues from your toilet from backing up into your shower. Some of the best tips include:
- Turn off the main water supply: Clogs can actually cause dirty sewer water to rise in your bathroom drains. In order to avoid a flood or nasty crud on your shower floor, it’s a smart idea to turn off your main water supply. Leave your water off until emergency plumbers can resolve the issue.
- Use a drain snake: Drain snakes are an easy tool to use for DIY drain unclogging. Thread these ribbed tools into your clogged drain, turn clockwise, and slowly lift them out to remove the clog. In some cases, drain snakes won’t do the job, though.
- Clear the vent pipe: Your sewer line requires some air to properly suck water out of the system. That’s why a clogged vent pipe could cause clogging issues. Clear your vent pipe and check whether you still notice the toilet backing up into shower drains.
- Contact a plumbing professional: Ultimately, plumbing professionals offer the safest, most effective methods for unclogging drains. Contact an emergency plumber to restore your drains quickly.
Contact Nicholson for 24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Services
Top-rated plumbers from Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning have extensive experience with drain, plumbing, and sewer line services. Our experts offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services in Framingham, Sudbury, Newton, Natick, and other surrounding areas of Massachusetts.
Don’t DIY your toilet clog. For more information about resolving sewage from your toilet backing up into shower drains, call 1-508-625-7732 to schedule a plumbing repair from Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today.