What Causes a Sewer Line Backup?

As an emergency plumber, Sacramento’s Always Affordable Plumbing often gets calls from people in a panic. We’ve found that not much sends a homeowner into crisis mode faster than sewage bubbling up from the shower drain. And why wouldn’t it? It stinks, it’s gross, and it’s not sanitary.

Unfortunately, fixtures all over the house—including sinks, toilets, and tubs—have something in common. They are all connected to a main sewer line. Sometimes a blockage farther down that line can cause waste water from higher up to find the next best way out. If your shower drain is handy, then that’s where the nasty liquid will appear.

Don’t Flush Just Anything

Sending the wrong stuff down the drain can lead to the formation of a blockage. Remember: If it’s not toilet paper (or what you use toilet paper to clean up), then don’t flush it. This includes sanitary pads, diapers, and even “flushable” wipes. Though some companies maintain that their wipes can safely travel through a home’s pipes, reality doesn’t always back up their claims. Tougher paper products that don’t easily break down can easily form a wad of material. This wad can, in turn, trap more material and collect smaller bits until it becomes a full-fledged block.

Learn more about sewer line backup here

Sinks can also be the entry point for substances that form sewer line blocks. Pouring grease down the drain is a bad idea, since the liquid can congeal when it cools. Soon, you’re dealing with a thick, solid blob that won’t let water (or anything else) pass. The pipes are all connected, so a plug that starts in the kitchen can then create problems in the bathroom.

Other Causes

Sometimes, the problem can come from outside the house. Trees are known to puncture and even crush pipes with their roots. Since the large plants are always in search of water, their roots explore and expand. Trees growing above or near a pipe may compromise the pipe as they grow. A hole in a sewer pipe is a definite problem, but not the only thing that can go wrong. Once a root gets into a pipe, it can grow until it blocks the flow. Even smaller roots can “collect” debris that then ultimately forms a larger blockage.

Old pipes—especially those made of clay—can also grow weak and collapse under the weight of the earth above them. Even if they are not under much weight, they may still crumble on their own due to age. Obviously, a collapsed pipe will slow or halt all liquid.

Everybody makes mistakes, and sometimes nature can’t be stopped. If you’re dealing with a blocked sewer line, call Always Affordable Plumbing. Our emergency plumber services are available 24 hours a day.

Service, quality, and affordability for our customers always comes first. Call today to schedule your appointment!