Steps to Take When a Toilet Backs Up

Backed-up Toilets Must Be Repaired Quickly

Toilet backups need to be handled by professionals – and quickly. These situations can cause major messes in the house and put family members at risk of health issues if raw sewage seeps into the home. Homeowners should call plumbers as soon as possible to diagnose the problem, repair it, and fix the backup. To ensure households know what to do when a backed-up toilet occurs, Oklahoma City, OK plumbers explain what causes backed-up toilets, various techniques they use to repair them, and ways to avoid them altogether.

What Causes Backed-Up Toilets?

When a plumber is called to repair a backed-up toilet, they will first determine what’s causing the issue with the sewer line. Plumbers will first check for clogged sewer lines due to debris, grease, or larger items like tree roots. They will also look for larger problems with the lines, including deterioration and collapsed sewer lines, sagging or bellied lines, and cracks or corrosion.

Expert Methods to Repair Backed-Up Toilets

When repairing a backed-up sewer line, plumbers have a variety of methods at their disposal. One of the first tools they might use is a camera to perform a sewer video inspection. This will help them locate the problem in the sewer line and determine its severity.

After getting more details about the problem, the plumber can select a repair method. If it’s a small clog, they might start by using a plunger or a drain snake. Hydro jetting may be used if it’s a larger blockage or if snaking doesn’t work. Cracks in the line may require trenchless pipe repairs. If those are not possible, traditional sewer line repair methods may be needed.

Ways Homeowners Can Avoid Toilet Backups

While backed-up toilets can be an inconvenience and even dangerous, there are steps homeowners can take to avoid these messy situations. One of the easiest ways for homeowners to avoid backed-up toilets is by being cautious about what they put down the toilet and drains. Households should avoid putting anything down the toilet besides waste and toilet paper. They should also never pour grease or cooking oil down the sink, as this can cause a clog when it dries.

To avoid sewer line clogs in bathroom sinks or showers, homeowners should install a screen over the drain. This will collect hair, soap scum, and other debris before it goes down the sink. If buildups occur in the drains or sewer lines, households should schedule regular drain and sewer line cleaning services to remove minor clogs.

Property owners should also take precautions outside. They should install root barriers to block tree roots from growing inside of the sewer lines and ensure the roots are trimmed frequently to avoid the pipes.

About Buddy’s Plumbing Inc.

The dedicated team at Buddy’s Plumbing Inc. offers top plumbing services to Oklahoma City. They provide fair pricing and flexible appointments and are bonded and insured. Call them today for toilet repair services in Oklahoma City, OK.