3 Common Causes of Home Sewer Backups

It’s not fun to think about, but plumbing and home sewage problems like sewage backups can happen to anyone, in any home, and at just about any time. Backed up drains can be in just one fixture or in several fixtures.  If the problem is localized to just one sink (like the garbage disposal backing up into the side sink), one tub, or one toilet that is backing up, it may just be a clog in that particular drain. If, however, every time you flush it creates a sewage backup in your whole home, you likely have a blockage in your main sewer line. When we get calls from Lawton-area homeowners who need help diagnosing and repairing their sewer problem, the cause is usually one of these three things.

Solid Objects in the Drain Line

Most sewer clogs can be prevented with regular maintenance and proper use of your drains. Here are a few tips that will help keep your sewer line clear:

• Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket – Flushing facial tissues, napkins, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and other waste down your toilet creates clogs, even products that claim to be flushable Only flush your toilet paper! If it does not dissolve almost instantly in water, do NOT flush it.

• Use your garbage disposal intelligently – Avoid dumping large quantities of anything down your garbage disposal that can become lodged within your sewer line.  It may be chopped up, but it is still solid and can collect in the pipes.

• Don’t pour grease down your drain – Grease and fat, although maybe in liquid form when poured down your drain, can harden within your plumbing, collecting debris and creating a stubborn clog.

The plumbing experts at Pippin Brothers can help you with how to unclog a main sewer line, and how to prevent them in the future.

Tree Roots

Another common cause of home sewer backups is tree roots. Even if the area directly above your sewer line is free of trees, roots from a neighboring yard could be the cause of your sewer problem. Tree roots can cause a number of issues for your sewer lines – they can grow into the pipes and cause holes and blockages, acting as a net catching even toilet paper.  They may wrap around your sewer line and crush it.

Broken or Collapsed Sewer Lines

If your Lawton-area home is older, your sewage system backup could be caused by broken, cracked, or collapsed lines. Although plastic sewer lines have now become the norm, older homes were built using cast iron, cement, and clay piping that can break down over time and create sewer problems.

Avoid Common (Costly) DIY Plumbing Mistakes

Refrain from trying “quick and easy” plumbing fixes like Draino® or Liquid-Plumbr®. These harsh chemicals will accelerate the deterioration of your sewer pipes, and lead to more plumbing emergencies in the future.  When used, they only clear a small hole through the blockage.  Licensed Professional Plumbers also offer simple, low-priced treatment options that use enzymes instead of harsh chemicals that can often solve and prevent future problems.

Diagnosing Your Sewer Problem

Wondering what would make a toilet “bubble”, or why your shower won’t seem to drain like it should? One of the best ways to pinpoint the cause of your plumbing issues is to have a professional plumber check it out. They can perform a video inspection of your sewer line and show you exactly what is causing the problem. They can then prescribe the most appropriate, safest, and least expensive solution. When it comes to sewers, you want a permanent solution not a temporary fix.

Pippin Brothers Home Services happily services the Greater Lawton, Fort Sill, and Duncan, Oklahoma area. Contact us online for more information on preventing or repairing your home’s sewer problems.