You've probably had experience with a clogged kitchen sink or toilet, but water backing up in your shower might be something new. This can happen when you run your washing machine and the water drains out and causes water to come up the drain in your tub. Here's a likely reason this is happening and how a plumber can fix the problem.

Why The Washing Machine Causes Water To Back Up

When water backs up in your tub, sink, or toilet, that's a sign of a clog in your plumbing. Your washing machine may share a drain with your shower, and if so, that's why the water flows into the shower first. However, it's also possible the water will back up in a sink or cause the toilet to overflow.

The water backs up because the clog doesn't allow water to flow to the sewer so it flows up a drain. If you wait, the water may slowly drain back out, but that doesn't mean you don't have a serious clog.

Why Water Backup Could Be A Plumbing Emergency

While it's good that the water eventually drains, you don't want to let the problem go on. If water is backing up from the sewer line, the water is contaminated, and at some point, the water may be black with sewage and create a toxic mess.

Since sewage is toxic, the problem should be repaired right away so your family isn't exposed to contaminated water. Stop using your washing machine and other sources of water that cause a backup until your plumber can fix the problem.

How A Plumber Can Help

Plunging may not do much for a clogged sewer line since the clog might be deep. Your plumber may need to use commercial tools that reach deep in the pipe. Your plumber may even want to look inside the pipe with a camera to determine the cause and location of the problem before deciding on the right way to clear the pipe.

Your plumber might use a drain auger or a hydro jet to clear the clog so your drains are fast again and so there is no problem with water backing up in any of your drains when you use the washer.

Tree roots are a common cause of sewer line clogs, and sometimes the roots grow back after they've been removed by the plumber. When the roots start filling the pipe, you'll notice your drains getting slower and clogs getting more frequent until your drain blocks off completely. When you notice slow drains, it's good to call a plumber if you can't clear the clog with a plunger or other DIY methods.  

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