What could be the reason for water backing up into the bathtub? Well, there are several of them. As you read this post, we’ll explain why water comes up your shower drain.
In addition, we’ll outline some ways you can solve the problem and prevent future occurrences. Without any ado, let’s get into the details.
Water Backing up in Shower
Water backing up into the bathtub is more than unsightly.
Dealing with shower water can be a perplexing and stressful issue for homeowners. If exposed, toxic bacteria and microbes can be dangerous, and this problem could become a severe health risk.
In other situations, it might seriously harm your house. Plumbing problems affect your floors, furnishings, electrical systems, walls, and assets.
This is why you should take it seriously when you discover shower drain water coming up.
Causes and Fixes for Water Coming Up From Shower Drain
Occasionally, water and other liquids can back up into your tub. Understanding why this occurs can help you fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.
That said, there are many reasons why water will be coming up through the bath plughole. Below are the common resulting factors.
Is water backing up in your tub? Here is why.
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Clogged Drain
Sometimes, dirty or clean water comes up through a bathtub drain because of a clogged drain.
Your drain can be blocked due to accumulated hair, soap scum, and other debris. All these substances often obstruct the water flow, causing water to come up through the bath plughole.
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Blocked Vent
Vent pipes control the air pressure inside the drain system to facilitate smooth water flow.
However, obstructions in the vent pipes occasionally can result in water seeping through the bathtub drain. The vent pipes may clog for several reasons, including dirt, hair, food scraps, soap residue, and other materials.
Don’t panic if your vent pipes are clogged. Using a water hose or plumber’s snake to flush out debris can help unclog them. If the problem continues, you should contact an expert.
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Problems with Sewer Lines
Water can come from the shower drain if your sewer lines develop faults.
Many factors can cause your sewer lines to develop faults, including tree roots blocking the sewer line, a collapsed or damaged sewer line, or grease buildup.
If these events occur, water will come up through the bath plughole.
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Pipe Damage
Broken plumbing pipes are another reason water can return to the bathtub. Pressure on one side of the obstruction might harm surface or underground pipes.
Signs such as leaks or cracks may become apparent when such an event occurs. Damage to pipes requires serious fixes, and the cost of repairs will go up if not.
Please consider contacting a plumber to address the problem.
Fixing a Clogged Bathtub Filled With Water
There are several ways to fix a clogged drain causing water to back up into the shower. One is to use a plunger. It’s an easy-to-use yet efficient tool for clearing small obstructions.
To release the plunger, place it directly over the drain and press down hard. Repeat this procedure multiple times to clear the obstruction.
Another effective tool for clearing more difficult blockages from your bathtub drain is a drain snake. Rotate the snake handle while carefully inserting it into the drain until resistance is felt.
Proceed to draw the snake out again, removing the blockage if necessary.
Even though enzyme plumbing cleaning can help clear your pipes, extra risks may be involved. Because of its harshness, the chemical can harm your septic tank system.
Therefore, a hydro-jetting system is advised. It can clear your pipes without the need for harsh chemicals. Hydrojetting can also effectively unclog drains since it removes any buildup from the pipes.
Enzyme plumbing cleanser can help clear clogged pipes, but it may be more harmful than beneficial. The caustic chemical has the potential to harm your septic tank system.
Therefore, a hydrojetting system is advised. It can clear your pipes without the use of harsh chemicals. Hydro jetting also works well to unclog drains by removing all pipe debris.
Use caution when utilizing these do-it-yourself methods to avoid damaging the pipes or aggravating the issue. If the procedure makes you uneasy or uncertain, consider contacting an expert.
They are coming to evaluate and safely resolve the problem.
When to Call for Professional Help
Water backing up into a shower can be a severe issue. But not all cases warrant calling for professional help. You can resolve problems only through the expert guy to come around.
Homeowners can clean or unclog minor clogs or those close to the surface. You only need to remove the clog or break it down so everything can go through the pipes, clearing the way for water.
If the issue still exists after trying these fixes, it might be time to hire a licensed plumber.
They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to deal with complex issues such as severe pipe clogs, broken or malfunctioning equipment, structural problems, and corrosion.
Some Common Warning Signs
Knowing the warning signs of a faulty shower drain is essential. This knowledge will enable you to resolve the problem or seek outside help before it causes expensive damage.
When emptying your bathtub, you should be aware of several warning indicators. These include bubbling toilet water, gurgling when draining, and sewer odors.
Other issues include wastewater migration, slow drainage, frequent blockages, and problematic fixtures. You can avoid plumbing damage and bathwater backup by spotting these early warning indicators of a blocked sewer line.
Tips for Prevention
Having seen what causes water to come up from shower drains, you must learn some preventive tips.
Such knowledge will help you avert future occurrences, sustain your system’s functionality, and increase its lifespan. Isn’t that cool? Take a look at some preventive measures below.
Routine maintenance is essential to avoid water backups. You must perform basic maintenance checks and clean drain covers regularly.
By being proactive and taking care of such issues early on, you can safeguard a comfortable living environment and prevent damage to your home.
Check your drain system regularly for signs of damage or blockage. If water backups are a problem in your house, plan an annual professional drain cleaning service.
It’s unpleasant to have water gushing up through the bathtub plughole, and you won’t be able to enjoy your shower.
As you can see from the discussion, there are a few potential reasons why water backs up into the shower drain, as well as solutions and measures to avoid them.