Toilet Backing Up Into Shower – Complete Review & Step-by-Step DIY Guide
If your toilet and shower are backed up and are filling your shower with wastewater, you need to take action to fix the problem. This can be a nasty and inconvenient mess, and it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
There are a few things that could be causing your toilet to back up into the shower. One possibility is that your sewer line is clogged. If this is the case, you’ll need to call a plumber to clear the line. Another possibility is that your shower’s drainage system is clogged. If this is the case, you may be able to clear the clog yourself using a plunger.
If you can’t determine the cause of the backup, it’s best to call a plumber for help. They will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly and efficiently. Still, you can try the methods in this article first.
Why toilet is backing up into the shower?
There can be a variety of reasons why your shower is backed up with sewage. One common reason is that your toilet’s drainage system is clogged. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, or hair. If the clog is not cleared, the backed-up water will eventually find its way into other parts of your plumbing system, including your shower.
Another common reason for a toilet backup is a blockage in the main sewer line. This can be caused by tree roots, a build-up of grease or dirt, or a broken pipe. If the blockage is not cleared, the backed-up water will eventually find its way into your home’s plumbing system, including your shower.
Also here are some other relatively common causes of sewer line clogs.
Tree roots
Tree roots are a common problem because they grow very quickly and can easily penetrate old or cracked sewer pipes. Once the roots have grown into the sewer line, they can cause a blockage, which can lead to water coming up the shower drain.
Grease and dirt
A build-up of grease and dirt can also cause a sewer line to clog. This is often a problem in older homes that have not been properly maintained. Over time, a build-up of grease and dirt can block the sewer line and cause water backups.
Broken pipes
A broken pipe is another common cause of sewer line clogs. If a pipe is broken, water will flow through the crack and can quickly cause a blockage. This can lead to water backups and extensive damage to your plumbing system.
Flushed foreign objects
If you are not careful, you can easily flush foreign objects down your toilet that can cause a sewer line clog. Things like baby wipes, sanitary napkins, and dental floss can easily get stuck in the sewer line and cause a blockage. Usually, toilet flush water rises in this case.
Hair
Hair is also a common culprit of clogged drains. If you do not regularly clean your hair from the shower drain, it can easily accumulate and cause a blockage.
Pipe scale
A pipe scale is a hard deposit that can form on the inside of pipes. Over time, this can lead to a blockage and cause water backups.
How to Stop Your Toilet from Backing Up into Your Shower
There are a few things that you can do to help prevent your toilet from backing up into your shower. One of the most important things is to make sure that you are not putting anything down the toilet that it cannot handle. This includes things like baby wipes, which can cause major clogs. You should also make sure that you are not flushing anything down the toilet that is not toilet paper. If you have a septic system, you should also make sure that you are not putting anything down the drain that is not supposed to go down there. If you are having trouble with your toilet backing up, you can call a plumber to help you figure out what is causing the problem and how to fix it. Now, about how to fix the clog when it already happened.
1. Turn off your main water supply
If the clog is strong enough to cause problems in the shower, it might be a good idea to turn off your main water supply just in case the clog worsens. This will help to prevent water from overflowing and potentially flooding your home. It is recommended to do this before anything else.
2. Use the drain snake
If the clog is not too far down the drain, you might be able to fix it yourself by using a drain snake. This is a tool that you can buy at most hardware stores, and it is inserted into the drain in order to clear the clog. Be careful not to scratch your pipes while using the drain snake.
3. Check the vent pipe
If the clog is not too far down the drain, it might be caused by something that is blocking the vent pipe. This could be something like a bird’s nest or a build-up of leaves. If you think this is the problem, you can try to clear the vent pipe yourself using a vacuum cleaner.
4. Call a plumber
If you are unable to clear the clog yourself, or if it is too far down the drain, you will need to call a plumber. They will be able to use special tools to clear the clog and fix the problem.
Alternative ways to get rid of a sewer clog
There are a number of alternative ways to clear a sewer clog that may work if it isn’t too bad. If you have a plunger, that’s a good place to start. If that doesn’t work, try using a wire coat hanger to clear the clog. If that still doesn’t work, you can try using a mixture of salt, borax, and vinegar. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a mixture of baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. Finally, if all of those fail, you can try using a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.
Hydro-Jetting
Hydro-Jetting is a process that uses high-pressure water to clean and clear sewer lines and drains. It is a safe and effective way to clean and remove buildup from sewer lines and drains. Hydro-Jetting can also help to restore drainage systems to their original condition. The main disadvantage of this method is that it is only available through plumbers.
FAQ
My toilet is backing up into my shower. What could be the problem?
There are a few potential causes of a toilet backing up into a shower. A clogged toilet can cause wastewater to back up and overflow into other areas of the home. A clogged shower drain can also cause wastewater to back up and overflow into the toilet. Finally, a damaged or clogged sewer line can also cause wastewater to back up and overflow into the home.
How can I prevent my toilet from backing up into my shower?
There are a few things that can be done to prevent a toilet from backing up into a shower. Regularly flushing a toilet can help to prevent it from becoming clogged. Inspecting the shower drain for clogs can help to prevent wastewater from backing up into the toilet. Finally, having a plumbing professional inspect the home’s sewer line can help to identify and fix any potential issues.
What should I do if my toilet is backing up into my shower?
If the toilet is backing up into the shower, the first thing that should be done is to try to unclog the shower drain.
Conclusion
If your shower drain backing up and filling your shower with wastewater, you need to take action to fix the problem. This can be a nasty and inconvenient mess, and it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. There are a few things that could be causing your toilet to back up into the shower, including a clogged sewer line or a clogged shower drainage system. If you can’t determine the cause of the backup, it’s best to call a plumber for help. They will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly and efficiently.
Gerald Carpenter
My name is Gerald Carpenter and I am a professional plumber in the third generation. My father was a plumber, my grandfather was a plumber. I wish I had records on my other ancestors.
