Why Is Water Backing Up Into My Bathtub?
Most homeowners encounter a tub that doesn’t drain well from time to time. Excess hair, soap residue, and other problems cause a tub to fill faster than it drains during showers or baths. This issue is usually resolved quickly by clearing the clog and getting your pipes flowing freely again. A tub that backs up, however, is a different issue entirely.
When a tub backs up, it means that somewhere below the house there is a clog large enough to stop waste from your toilet from entering into the sewer. When you flush the toilet, the waste then backs up into the other pipes, including your tub. This is no mere clog and can cause serious health complications. Backed-up pipes need to be dealt with right away, you must unclog your bathroom drain.
Can Your Sewer Line Be Involved?
While it may seem like every pipe in your house has its own channel to deposit water, that’s actually not true. Each pipe in your home is connected at one point before it reaches the main sewer line. If a large enough clog enters the main plumbing line of your house, it can effectively stop any and all water and waste from being able to drain and dump into the sewer.
When the main pipe gets clogged, if the clog is not flushed out, eventually every pipe in your home will back up with sewage and waste including your bathtub, sink, and even your washing machine connection.
How Can I Prevent a Clog?
A common reason why man toilets get clogged and begin backing up is due to “flushable” items besides toilet paper. The only thing that should ever be flushed down the toilet is toilet paper. Even “flushable” wipes aren’t thin enough for pipes to handle.
They don’t break down quickly enough to allow water to wash them down and if enough wipes are flushed, they will easily create a clog somewhere in your pipes. In addition to wipes, there are plenty of other things that often make their way into your toilet including hygiene products, floss, q-tips, and even cat litter.
To prevent clogs from forming, be sure to only flush toilet paper and no other products, even if they are labeled as being “flushable,” they might not be – and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What Can I Do if My Tub Will Not Drain?
While hair most commonly causes clogs, if enough hair builds up in the pipes, it can cause a significant clog that causes backup to occur. The easiest way to avoid this issue is by using a hair trap. These are very inexpensive and either fit over your drain or rest slightly in the drain. They work by catching the majority of the hair that tends to wash down the drain after a shower.
By trapping the hair before it washes down the train, clogs are prevented. Hair is one of the leading causes of clogs in pipes leading from the tub but prevention is as easy as purchasing a mesh hair trap for a few dollars. By using this one trick, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars in plumbing bills by preventing clogs from occurring in the first place.
Recommended, Expert Plumbers
Flow Pro Plumbing proudly serves the Brentwood, CA, area for all their plumbing needs. They offer fast plumbing solutions from trusted experts, accurate diagnosis, honest recommendations, and customer satisfaction guaranteed. Their services include maintenance, repair, and installation for sewer line services, clogged toilet repairs, and even water heater services!
