Why Is Sewage Coming Out Of The Bathtub

Why Is There Sewage Coming Up Through My Bathtub?

Have you ever gone to take a bath and discovered that sewage is coming up from your bathtub instead of the regular, clean water you need to scrub your back? Perhaps you’ve been in the middle of washing your hair when the water suddenly shifted from a pleasing color to something far less pleasant? Maybe you noticed a strange smell in the air before the water turned that alarming color?

If this has ever happened to you, or if you’re worried it might, you should know that it’s usually the result of a plumbing issue. In some cases, sewage can come up through the bathtub if you—or one of your family members—flush the toilet and the pressure in the drain system is strong enough to push the waste from the toilet up and through the bathtub. That, however, isn’t the only possible explanation.

Blockage in Your Pipes

The most common cause of sewage coming back up through the bathtub is a blockage somewhere in your system. Such blockages can be caused by accumulations of dirt, grease, and other debris in the pipes, which eventually build up to the point that they interfere with sewer and wastewater flow. As a result, the pressure can’t be relieved in the drain system and your bathtub might become clogged, forcing the sewage to come back up.

Pipes might also become clogged due to tree roots. In some cases, nearby tree roots can manage to grow into the system and, once they do, they’ll have the same disruptive effects. Similarly, it’s important to keep an eye on the septic system if you live in a rural area. Over the course of a few years, the system might become clogged, creating a build up that can cause sewage to flow back up through the pipes and into your bathtub.

Damaged or Defective Parts

In some cases, the cause of sewage coming up through the bathtub is more than just a simple blockage. It could be the result of worn out parts—such as the pipes and fixtures—that are no longer in good enough condition to properly manage your wastewater. When this happens, the water doesn’t follow the normal, designated pathways. Instead, it decides to make its own way out and, unfortunately, this path often leads right to the bathtub.

From time to time, the cause could even be defects or manufacturing flaws in the original installation. Problems like these tend to become apparent during the home’s earliest years but, of course, there’s no way to know for sure unless you test for them thoroughly.

Sewer Backup

In rare cases, sewage coming up through the bathtub could be the result of an entirely different issue, such as a sewer backup. This happens when the system has become clogged higher up, such as near the main sewage line. The increased pressure in the sewer can cause water to flow in the opposite direction and come back up through the pipes. This means, essentially, that the blockage isn’t just in your home—it’s in the city’s sewage system, too.

These events might be caused by the weather. That is, if it’s been raining for long periods of time like it has in some areas of the country in recent years, the larger pipes in the system can be overwhelmed. As a result, the sewage lines can become backed up, creating the unpleasant issue of sewage coming up through your bathtub.

A Professional Solution

Regardless of the cause, if you experience sewage coming up through your bathtub, you must handle it as quickly as possible. Not only is it important to keep your home healthy, but it’s absolutely essential that you prevent serious property damage, too. If you’re not sure how to handle it—or if you lack the technical knowledge to do so—you can easily enlist the help of a professional.

Experienced plumbing technicians have the skills and tools necessary to detect the cause of the problem and resolve it. Whether it’s as simple as unblocking a pipe or as complex as replacing an entire system, a certified expert who has seen a hundred similar situations will know how to take the necessary steps to make sure you can continue using your bathrooms without any more sewage issues.

Preventing Future Problems

Once the problem has been solved, it’s important that you attempt to prevent it from happening again in the future. It’s impossible to completely avoid any and all plumbing issues but, with regular maintenance and a few strategic decisions, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of facing sewage issues. To start, be sure to schedule regular maintenance appointments with a reputable plumbing company. Additionally, pay close attention to the age of your system and the condition of the fixtures, pipes, and other parts.

If installed correctly, a plumbing system could last a very long time without any major problems. However, if it’s been a few decades since your system was first installed, it might be time to consider replacing the parts. Doing so could help prevent future sewage issues and, more importantly, reduce the chances of expensive repair bills.

Given the fact that sewage coming up through the bathtub is incredibly unpleasant, it is important to keep an eye on your system and take the necessary precautions. By taking matters into your own hands and scheduling regular maintenance appointments, you’ll be able to avoid this unpleasant experience. So, in conclusion, why is there sewage coming up through my bathtub? The answer is that there can be several causes, from a minor blockage in your pipes to a major defect in the system. Fortunately, there are solutions available that will help you solve the problem and avoid it in the future.