3 Causes Of A Toilet Backup

Toilets can back up for various reasons. While some problems fix themselves after a few flushes, other backups need repair. If your toilet isn't flushing and you can see water backing up into the bowl, then you could have one of the following problems.

1. Clogs

Clogs are a common cause of backup problems in toilets. If something gets stuck in your toilet's pipes, then the clog might prevent water from flushing away normally. If the water can't move, then it might come back into your toilet bowl whenever you flush new water behind it.

You might have accidentally caused this problem yourself by putting non-organic or non-degradable items down your toilet. For example, diapers, napkins, and even dental floss can clog a toilet. These items won't break down in the water. They can clump together and block your system.

Sometimes, toilet clogs are down to blockages in other parts of your plumbing system. For example, if grease from your kitchen sink has hardened and blocked its drain, then your toilet might back up if it shares this drain.

2. Sewer Pipe Problems

If you haven't thrown anything unusual down your toilet, then your backup might be down to a system problem. For example, tree growth and broken pipes sometimes compromise sewer drainage systems.

If tree roots grow into a pipe that runs from a toilet to its sewer system, then they can fill the inside of the pipe. Or, the cracks they make in the pipe might allow dirt to fall inside. The same thing happens if the pipe is corroded or breaks.

If the growth or incoming debris is dense enough, then it can create a blockage large enough to cause toilet backups. If water can't drain through the pipe, it will eventually come back up through your toilet.

3. Municipal Sewer System Problems

While many toilet problems come from your own waste system, municipal sewer lines and pipes can also cause backups. For example, if a municipal pipe or line is blocked or overflows after heavy rainfall, then water will eventually come back up through your toilet.

Your parts of the system might be fine but a blockage further down the system brings problems into your home. While you don't have to fix a municipal problem, you might need to have your system checked first to work out where the problem lies.

Toilet backups affect your home's hygiene, so you should fix the problem as soon as you can. To get the help you need, contact toilet backup repair services. For more information, contact a company like Rob's Septic Tanks Inc.