No one likes to think their home is susceptible to backed up plumbing. Failure of your appliances to drain appropriately and get backed up is not only gross but can be incredibly unsanitary and damaging to your home’s central plumbing system. If you are consistently just having sewage backup with one particular toilet, sink or tub, you most likely are only experiencing a clog in that specific drain. However, if you have a sewage backup every time you flush from anywhere in the home, then you have a blockage in your main sewer line. What causes this? There are a few factors.
Broken Pipes
Older piping can often become cracked, broken or collapsed. These pipes are traditionally made of cast iron or clay and are vulnerable to breaking easily. Now, plastic forms of piping are the norm and cracking is much less frequent. If your pipes are not correctly running from one to the next because they are broken, they’re most definitely part of your problem.
Debris/Clogs
Build up of debris and clogs are the most common and apparent reason your plumbing is backing up. Using your toilet as a wastebasket is a foolproof way of causing a clog in your sewage line. Avoid flushing facial tissues, napkins, diapers, feminine hygiene products and more, as they can catch on small obstructions in the pipes, form clogs and eventually causing you plumbing to back up. Also, avoid dumping large pieces or quantities of food down your garbage disposal, and especially stay away from pouring grease down your drains. Food can become wedged inside your sewer line and lead to clogs. Grease and fats, although typically liquids, eventually solidify and collect other debris in your system to cause clogs. Most clogs are easily maintainable with regular maintenance and routine plumbing service to keep your system in tip-top shape.
Tree Roots and Shrubbery
Tree roots and their impact on sewage systems often go undetected as they remain underground. Even if the space in your yard where your sewer line exists is entirely free of any trees or shrubbery, roots from trees in other yards can make their way into yours and have a severe impact on your plumbing system. When tree roots reach your plumbing, they can disrupt and block the pipelining by either growing into the piping itself or wrapping around the pipes and eventually crush them.
When fixing your plumbing back up, there are a few things you want to avoid, the first being the use of cheap, over the counter drain cleaners to try to break up the clog. Over the counter drain cleaners use harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing further, and can potentially make the problem worse, turning a simple plumbing fix into an even costlier plumbing repair. The second, and most important thing, to avoid is self-diagnosing your plumbing problem. Plumbing can be complicated and tricky, so it’s best to have the assistance of a trusted plumber. A professional plumbing company can quickly locate, diagnose and fix your plumbing back up, which can save tons of time, money and comfort when it comes to resolving your plumbing issues. Mr. Plumber Plumbing Co. can help you find the problem and fix it fast so you can get back to enjoying your home’s comfort sooner.
