What Does It Mean When You Flush The Toilet And Water Appears In The Bathtub?
It can be disturbing when the water that's flushed down your toilet ends up somewhere else in your house (like the bathtub). Knowing what this incident means and what you can do about it can help you take care of your property and avoid this problem in the future.
What does it mean when you flush the toilet and water appears in the bathtub?
When water drained out of one place appears in another, this is an indication of a sewer backup. This occurs because all of the pipes in your home connect to the same underground location (the sewer). When water can't drain into the sewer, it flows back up into the house, sometimes in nearby lower-level fixtures (like the bathtub).
What are some other warning signs of a sewer backup?
Other warning signs of a sewer backup include:
- Water draining slowly all over the house.
- Strange gurgling noises when water flows down the drain.
- Appearance of water around floor drains in the basement.
What causes a sewer backup?
A sewer backup can be caused by many things, including:
- Growth of tree roots into the sewers.
- Collapse of the sewer walls (which can happen if the sewer is very old).
- Heavy rainfall and flooding in the area.
- Flushing items down the drain that take a long time to biodegrade (like tampons, diapers, kitty litter and wet wipes).
What can you do to remove a sewer clog?
If your sewer is clogged, the best thing to do is to contact a certified plumber who performs sewer cleaning services. You could try a company like Rapid Rooter Inc. You can also try flushing tree root killer down your toilet, but if the clog isn't caused by tree roots, this may just delay the sewer cleaning and draw out the problem longer.
How can you avoid sewer clogs in the future?
The following tips will help you prevent sewer clogs:
- Get regular inspections. Have your sewers inspected on an annual or biannual basis to catch problems before they become critical.
- Limit what goes down the drain. Make a firm rule in your home that nothing goes down the drain except human waste and water.
- Avoid planting trees near your sewer lines. Know where your sewer lines are and keep all trees away from the lines.
For more information, contact a reputable plumber in your area. He or she can help you keep your sewers in good shape and avoid more clogs in the future.