Is There Water Backing Up In Your Shower? Here Is What The Problem Might Be

Whenever you take a shower or bath, you do it to refresh and clean yourself. That is why it can be very alarming if you see dirty water starting to back up from your shower drain. Typically, when water backs up in a shower through its drain, it indicates there is a problem with the sewer line, and there is no “home remedy” or plunging that will solve the problem and get your shower drain fixed right away. The sewer line connects to the bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet, and runs outside to the city sewer system or your septic tank.

What Is A Sewer Line And What Is Its Purpose?

The sewer line, or “sewer main”, as it is also called, is the main pipe in the plumbing system. Its purpose is to carry dirty water out of your home and away from it so it can be treated by the city water authority or your septic system. When water backs up into the shower, a clog is often the cause, and it is soiled water that is backing up. Untrained people should not touch it.

Professional plumbers have been trained to deal safely with soiled backwater, limit exposure, limit cross-contamination, and clean areas effectively that have come in contact with soiled water. Without having undergone that type of training, you could expose yourself to potentially dangerous and hazardous pathogens or bacteria.

What Clogs Sewer Lines?

There are a number of ways that sewer lines can become clogged and for many different reasons. Flushed items might cause a clogged sewer line, grease buildup in a kitchen sink can cause a clog, and tree roots that grow through a sewer line can also lead to backups and clogs. A professional plumber can help to determine what the source of your clog is, the most effective way to repair it, and what you can do to avoid subsequent backups and clogs in the future.