Why Rain Might Cause Your Toilet to Back Up

Your toilet might work most properly of the time, but you may notice that it will back up whenever it is raining outside. This is most often a problem if you have a septic system, but you may also experience this problem with a sewer system. Here's what to do if you think the rain is causing toilet backup. 

Inspect Your Septic Tank

A common reason why a toilet backs up when it's raining is that the septic tank has filled up. Depending on your scum and sludge layer, you will need to pump out your septic tank. Some of the rainwater that gets through the outside of your septic tank causes the overflow. 

If you clean out your septic tank, you may discover that your toilet is still backing up while it rains. This could be the result of an old and damaged septic tank. Older tanks have concrete lids that can shift and allow water to enter them. The tank might have also collapsed and created an entryway for rainwater to enter.

Have Your Sewer Pipe Inspected

If you do not have a septic tank, your toilet might be backing up because you have a cracked sewer pipe. Rainwater might then enter the cracked sewer pipe and cause your toilet to back up. A sewer pipe might also be so damaged that waste cannot pass through and it becomes backed up. The wastewater instead flows to the lowest drains in your home.

Consider Replacing Your Old Toilet

After investigating all of the possible causes, you should consider other possible causes of a toilet backing up that are not related to the weather. For example, you might have a first-generation low flow toilet. You could replace your toilet, but this isn't always necessary. You could reduce how often your toilet backs up by using less toilet paper and by not using items that are clog-prone.

Don't Flush Non-Flushables

Toilet tissue is designed to dissolve in the toilet. However, if you flush paper towels or even disposable tissues, they may not break apart and can become clogged in your toilet. Common items that you should never flush down the toilet include dental floss, Q-tips, wet wipes, cotton balls, and diapers. These items will become trapped, restrict drainage, and cause constant backups.

Make sure to talk to your family members about what is safe to flush and what isn't. For children, consider keeping a list that includes all of the items you shouldn't flush by the toilet. However, if your toilet becomes backed up regardless, you'll want to hire toilet backup services for help.