Why Is My Toilet Draining Into My Bathtub?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If your toilets, kitchen sink and tub or shower are all backed up, you probably have a clogged sewer line . ... When you flush the toilet, water backs up into or comes up in the tub or shower. When your sewer line is clogged, the water can’t go down the drain.

How do you unclog a toilet that’s backing up into the bathtub?

To clear the clog, you can use a plunger on the toilet to break it loose . To make this step more effective, seal off the drain in the shower and then plunge the toilet up and down several times. Then quickly break the seal by yanking the plunger up.

Why is my toilet water going into my bathtub?

If you see used water from the toilet backing up into shower or tub drains though, that’s a sign of a clogged sewer main . Since something is blocking the wastewater, it has no other choice but to back up. Since your toilet is set higher, the water is more likely to rise out of the lower tub or shower drain.

How do you unclog a main sewer line?

  1. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ...
  3. Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ...
  4. Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ...
  5. Hose out leftover debris. ...
  6. Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

How do you know if your main line is clogged?

  1. Dark Water. One of the signature symptoms of a main-drain clog is water backing up in your tubs or showers. ...
  2. Slow-Moving Drains. Take a minute to think about the drains in your home. ...
  3. Gurgling Sounds. ...
  4. Clogged Plumbing Fixtures. ...
  5. Turn Off the Water. ...
  6. Call a Plumber.

How much does it cost to unclog main sewer line?

Average Cost to Unclog Main Sewer Line Average range $350-$650 Minimum cost $65 Maximum cost $3,000

Will Drano unclog sewer line?

Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner

It’s hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes. ... An enzyme-based main line cleaner is safer, but it takes longer to work.

What are signs of sewage backup?

  • Sewage-Like Odors Coming From The Drain. The purpose of your drains is to transport wastewater away and outside of your house. ...
  • Bubbling Drains Or Toilets. ...
  • Slow Draining in Multiple Fixtures. ...
  • Clogs In Multiple Drains At Once. ...
  • Sewage Coming Out Of a Cleanout Pipe.

How do you know if your sewer line is leaking?

  1. 1) Sewage Backups and Blockages. ...
  2. 2) Sewer Gas Odor. ...
  3. 3) Mold Problem. ...
  4. 4) Slow Drain. ...
  5. 5) Extra Green and Lush Patches in Grass. ...
  6. 6) Indentation In Lawn or Under Pavers. ...
  7. 7) Foundation Cracks, Settlement, and Sinkholes.

Will Coke unclog a drain?

Coke. Coke is a lesser-known fix you can find in your refrigerator. Pour a 2-liter bottle of cola — Pepsi, Coke, or generic brand substitutes — down the clogged drain . Coke is actually quite caustic and effective at clearing away buildup in your drains, but it’s far milder than commercial drain cleaners.

What is the best sewer line cleaner?

  • Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. ...
  • Best for Shower: Pequa Drain Opener. ...
  • Best for Sink: Rockwell Invade Bio Drain Gel. ...
  • Best for Septic System: Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria. ...
  • Best for Garbage Disposal: Green Gobbler Refresh Drain & Disposal Deodorizer. ...
  • Best for Hair: Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Cleaner.

How do you unclog a main drain without a snake?

Combine 1 part baking soda and 1 part vinegar, then pour it into the sewer cleanout opening. Wait at least 1 hour before flushing it with hot water. The baking soda and vinegar will start reacting and fizzing immediately. Pour it into the pipe as quickly as possible.

What happens if sewer line is clogged?

When your sewer line is clogged, the water can’t go down the drain. Instead, it flows back up the pipes and comes out at the lowest point — usually the shower drain. When you run water in the bathroom sink, the toilet bubbles and gurgles. The bubbling is due to air trapped in the plumbing system.

How much does Roto Rooter charge to snake a sewer line?

Roto-Rooter is a national company that offers a flat rate for their drain clearing services, usually between $160 and $450 . They base their pricing on the severity and location of the blockage. The price for sewer inspections is included in the clog clearing project cost.

What do you do when water backs in the bathtub?

If a blockage in the main sewer line is the cause of water backing up into the bathtub you should call a professional plumber to assess your issues . You should be aware that when dirty water occurs, you cannot solve it by using a plunger. Plungers do not solve the problem and can aggravate the situation more.

Do plumbers unblock drains?

The one thing a plumber will bring towards fixing your blocked drain is experience. A plumber will most likely use methods you have tried yourself, including plunging, but the skills gained by performing drain unblocking methods on a regular basis will see that the job is completed with minimal fuss.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.