If you see sewage backing up in your shower or sink or tub, etc. the very first thing to do is to call a plumber immediately for emergency plumbing service.
Why Is Sewage Backing Up Into My Shower?
A clogged sewer line is often the cause of sewage backing up into your home. Cleaning out that clog is the solution but identifying where the clog is and what the clog is made of is the hard part.
A sewer camera inspection is the best way to inspect your sewer pipe to see what the problem is and where it is. Knowing this will determine how to go about fixing the problem.
The “camera” itself is a fiber optic camera, like the ones used in smart phones.
This camera is attached to a long, flexible tube / cable usually made out of metal. This is then snaked into an opening into your sewer system, camera first of course.
The operator manipulates how far the cable goes and where the camera points to using a control box and views the live video that the camera is showing him either via the control box, or a computer or a tablet.
Common Causes Of Sewage Clogs
There can be several reasons why your sewer lines are clogged and causing sewage to backup into your shower or elsewhere in your home.
- Hair, grease and foreign objects – all of these can easily build up in our sewer pipes and create clogs. This could also include small toys, flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, etc.
- Tree and plant roots – if they are planted too close to your sewer pipes they can grow and infiltrate your pipes creating a crack or worse and then continue growing inside the pipe causing a major clog.
Anything that you put down your drains, your toilets and your garbage disposal all end up in your sewer pipes (or your septic tank if your home is using a septic system). So that means that anything that goes down any of these could potentially cause a clog in your pipes.
How Do I Unclog My Sewer Line?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the specific problem that is causing the clog.
- If the clog is due to tree or plant roots in the line – then there’s not much that the average homeowner can do except to call in their plumber to find where the roots have infiltrated the sewer line, clean them out and then repair or replace that portion of the pipe.
This can be done with an initial sewer camera inspection and possibly a trenchless sewer repair process. - But if the clog is due to an object wedged in the pipe then you may be able to flush it out. But know that it requires an auger cable (or plumbing snake – a really, really long one).
- It may also be that the clog in the sewer pipe could be a backup in the city main line instead of in your own sewer line. The signs would be exactly the same so the best way to know is to contact a few of your neighbors and ask if they are having the same problem. If they are – you can then check with your city to get some information about the problem.
A sewer line clog could be a simple fix that a handy homeowner may be able to fix but oftentimes that is not the case. We recommend that you use a professional plumber to properly assess the problem and fix the situation.
Will Drano Unclog A Sewer Line?
We recommend that you avoid using a chemical drain cleaners like Drano or Liquid-Plumbr. They tend to be harsh and abrasive on your drain pipes and can end up causing more damage – especially if you have older pipes.
Best Maintenance Tip For Sewer Lines
The cost of cleaning out and repairing a clogged sewer line can easily be much higher than simply sticking to a maintenance schedule. But the truth is, most homeowners get their sewers cleaned out on an “as needed†basis.
We recommend that you follow the general rule of thumb which is that sewer lines should be cleaned out every 18 – 22 months.
If you are having problems with sewage backups in your home, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.