Water Backing Up Into Your Shower? Here’s What Could Be The Problem

When you’re taking a bath or a shower, you’re doing so to get clean and refreshed. For that reason, one can see how it would be quite alarming to see dirty water backing up out of a shower drain. Water backing up into a shower through the drain is typically indicative of a sewer line problem, and no amount of plunging or “home remedy” is going to fix the issue and set your shower drain right away. Your sewer line connects to your toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub, and it runs outside to either your septic tank or the city sewer system.

What Is Your Sewer Line And What Does It Do?

The sewer line is also known as your “sewer main.” It’s a principal pipe in your plumbing system, and its role is carrying soiled water out of and away from your home to be treated by your septic system or city water authority. When this water backs up into a shower, it’s often caused by a clog, and the water that is backing up is soiled water that should not be touched by those who are untrained.

Professional plumbers are trained to safely deal with soiled backwater, limiting cross-contamination, limiting exposure, and effectively cleaning areas that the soiled water has come into contact with. Without undergoing that kind of training, you could be exposing yourself to potentially hazardous and dangerous bacteria or pathogens.

What Clogs A Sewer Line?

Sewer line clogs can occur in a variety of ways and due to many reasons. Grease buildup from the kitchen sink may cause a clog, flushed items can cause sewer line clogs, and even tree roots growing through sewer lines can lead to clogging and backups as well. Your professional plumber will be able to determine the source of the clog, the best way to repair it, and how you can avoid clogs and subsequent backups in the future.