What Causes Toilet Backups?

Of all the potential plumbing problems you can encounter, a toilet backup ranks among the most serious, not to mention inconvenient. In some instances, you may need to seek the help of a plumber in Glen Allen, VA. In this blog, USA Pipe Repair highlights the most common causes of toilet backups.

Tree Roots

Many people are surprised to learn that tree roots are causing their toilet to back up. Roots are naturally drawn to sources of water and nutrients. When a heavy tree root starts to wrap around your sewer line, it could eventually cause a crack. Fortunately, our plumbing company can fix the problem without needing to completely replace your sewer line.

Clogs

Never make the mistake of using your toilet as a trash can. It’s only a matter of time before a clog develops, which may lead to a toilet backup. Among the worse household items to flush include napkins, diapers, personal hygiene products, and dental floss. Plumbing services also advise against flushing antibacterial wipes. Although these wipes are often advertised as being “flushable”, they tend to be too tough for your plumbing system to handle.

Grease

Be careful about pouring cooking grease down your kitchen drain. As the grease is allowed to sit, it eventually hardens. This means you’ll be more likely to need plumbing repairs in the long run. Some grease buildups are thick enough to completely block your drain pipe, which ultimately leads to a toilet backup.

Corrosion

Some sewer lines are rated to last for up to 100 years. However, corrosion can cause a sewer pipe to wear out much sooner than expected. With the use of a specialized camera system, a plumber can determine if a corroded sewer line is causing your toilet to back up and if you’ll need emergency plumbing services.

When in need of quality plumbing services such as plumbing repairs, be sure to contact the experts at USA Pipe Repair.