3 Reasons Your Bathtub Is Backing Up And How To Fix It

Your bathtub, like the kitchen sink, is an often under-appreciated fixture. It is responsible for funneling hundreds of gallons of water and particulates down your drains and out to the municipal sewer system every month. This includes soaps, shampoos, dirt, and hair, so it is no mystery why your bathtub gets clogged. The following are some common signs and reasons your bathtub backs up and how to fix the issue.

Problems with standing water in your bathtub

You may wonder why you should care about standing water in your bathtub Standing water is a center for many issues that could negatively affect your health and the health of your family. Mold and residue are the most common issue you can see with water that doesn’t drain. Standing water can quickly develop into major health problems and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is created when water is unable to drain out, or when it bubbles back up because it cannot drain out. Some common causes of your bathtub backing up are described below.

Sewer line clogs

Sewer line clogs are ordinarily caused by foreign materials such as hair, gels, paper, or other non-soluble materials. Some of these come from sinks, dishwasher, toilets, and shower drains, not just bathtubs. You can find where the blockage is based on where the drains are stopped up. If every drain is clogged, then the problem is likely in the main line. If only a portion of your house is affected, the problem is probably localized to one of the secondary lines.

Tree roots

Tree roots are another common cause of water backing up into your bathtub. They are attracted to sewer lines because they move water. The roots grow toward the plumbing lines and slowly break through them, eventually damaging and blocking them. There are two ways to fix this issue. You can dig up that section of piping to replace it or use specialized equipment to blast the roots out if the pipe isn’t too damaged.

Broken sewer line

Sewer lines occasionally break. In older homes, sewer lines are made of lead and other materials that corrode over time. Newer homes use specialized PVC materials that can last much longer. If a line disintegrates, it merely needs to be replaced. You need to take quick action if you think your sewer line is broken. The water that is meant to be drained is likely leaking out into your yard.

What to do with blocked plumbing lines

If your bathtub is backing up, there are a few things you can do to help fix the issue.

Stop using your plumbing

The first thing you should do is stop using your plumbing if your bathtub is backing up. The more water you put down the drain, the higher the pressure in the pipes will be. That extra water can make plumbing problems worse.

Shut off water main

Second, you need to shut off your water main. Turning the water off prevents more from entering your plumbing lines. Even though you stop putting water down your drains, your home continues to accept water from the main. Shutting it down ensures that you minimize the damage from a clog.

Call a plumber

Finally, call a plumbing company you can trust. Your plumber should have the experience needed to diagnose and fix a clogged bathtub, no matter the cause. Do not attempt to clean out the drain with chemicals. This will most likely hurt the plumbing rather than get rid of a clog.

Plumbers in Amarillo, Tx

If you need an experienced plumber who can quickly respond to your plumbing emergencies, contact Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical Inc. today. Our technicians have decades of experience fixing Residential and Commercial plumbing in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. You can reach us at (806) 376-8345 or Contact Us by email to learn more.