Common Causes of Sewer Backups & How to Fix Them

A sewer backup can stop your household in its tracks. It’s messy, stressful, and potentially dangerous to your family’s health. When raw sewage makes its way into a basement, bathroom, or other parts of the house, you are suddenly dealing with much more than a simple clogged toilet or slow drain. The smell alone is enough to make anyone want to leave the house. Beyond that, sewage carries bacteria and viruses that put your family at risk, and the water damage can spread quickly through flooring and drywall.

That is why it’s important to know the common causes of sewer backups. Once you know what is behind these problems, it’s easier to take steps to prevent them or at least recognize the early signs before the issue gets worse. Let’s explore what causes a sewer to back up, how to spot the warning signs, and ways to fix the issue.

How Common Are Sewer Backups?

These problems happen more often than most people realize. Older neighborhoods with aging sewer lines are especially at risk. Materials such as cast iron and clay were commonly used in the past, and while they can last for decades, they eventually crack, corrode, or collapse.

So, how common are sewer backups in Houston specifically? Between an expanding population, older infrastructure, and sudden downpours that overwhelm storm drains, backups happen frequently enough that every homeowner should take the risk seriously.

What Causes a Sewer to Backup?

Understanding what causes a sewer to backup can help you take better care of your plumbing system and know when to call for professional help.

Tree Roots Growing Into Lines

Tree roots seek out moisture and nutrients. They often find their way into tiny cracks in sewer pipes. Once inside, roots grow quickly, creating a tangled blockage that keeps wastewater from moving through the line. This is one of the most common causes of sewer backups in older neighborhoods.

Household Waste and Clogs

Sometimes the problem starts right inside the home. Things like wipes, feminine hygiene products, and too much toilet paper don’t break down easily. In the kitchen, pouring cooking oil, grease, and fat down the sink leads to buildup that hardens and narrows the pipe. Eventually, nothing can pass through, and the backup begins.

Damaged or Collapsed Pipes

Time is not kind to sewer systems. Old cast iron pipe corrodes, clay pipe shifts with the soil, and poor past construction can weaken the line. Once the pipe fails, there is nowhere for wastewater to go. In many cases, this type of problem requires more than a cleaning. You may need to call Aberle Plumbing for a sewer line replacement in Houston.

Storms and Overloaded Systems

During heavy storms, the city’s sanitary sewer can fill beyond capacity. Water from storm drains mixes with household sewage, and if the pressure gets high enough, it can push back into your home. Taking preventive steps, such as installing a backwater valve or using a sump pump, can help manage rising water levels.

How to Identify a Sewage Backup

Knowing how to identify a sewage backup is crucial because the sooner you recognize it, the sooner you can take action. Here are the most common signs:

• Multiple drains are slowing down at the same time, such as your shower, sink, and toilet
• Odd noises, like bubbling or gurgling, when water drains
• Strong smells of sewer gas or sewage near a floor drain or in the basement
• Wastewater backing up into a bathtub or other lower-level fixtures

If you know how to identify a sewage backup, you won’t mistake it for a small clog that a plunger or chemical cleaner can fix. At this point, calling a professional plumbing company is the smartest move.

What to Do When Your Sewer Backs Up

It is one thing to understand the risks. It is another to wake up to a basement full of sewage or a toilet overflowing into your bathroom. Knowing what to do when your sewer backs up can limit the damage.

• Stop using water in the house right away. Avoid the dishwasher, washing machine, and all toilets.
• Keep everyone out of the contaminated area. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses that can cause disease.
• If water is near outlets or appliances, turn off the power in that area to reduce the risk of electricity hazards.
• Call a trusted emergency plumber for immediate help.

When you follow these steps, you are protecting your family and buying time for a professional to step in.

Ways to Fix a Sewer Backup on Your Property

There are several ways to fix a sewer backup on your property, and the right solution depends on what caused it. Some problems can be cleared with specialized equipment, while others require more serious repair or replacement.

Professional Drain Cleaning

If the issue is a significant blockage caused by toilet paper, grease, or other debris, a plumber can use a drain snake or hydro jetting to clear the line. These methods break up the clog and restore proper flow. Among the most effective ways to fix a sewer backup on your property, professional cleaning also helps identify weak spots that may lead to future issues.

Root Removal

Roots inside a pipe need to be cut and flushed out. While chemical drain cleaners may promise results, they often damage your plumbing system and do little against large root invasions. A plumber will need to use cutting tools and water pressure to clear out the roots.

Sewer Line Repair or Replacement

When pipes are cracked, collapsed, or corroded, the only real fix is to repair or replace them. For homes in Houston, Aberle Plumbing provides expert sewer repair in Houston, as well as complete replacements. This is often necessary for homes with old cast iron or clay lines that simply cannot keep up with modern demands.

Don’t Let a Sewer Backup Ruin Your Houston Home

If you’re dealing with a backup right now or if you have started to notice the warning signs, don’t wait for the situation to get worse. Knowing how to get a sewer to stop backing up is helpful, but having a trusted professional on your side is what truly protects your home.

Call Aberle Plumbing today to schedule service! Our team is ready to help with everything from inspections and cleanings to complete sewer line repair. When you need a reliable neighborly plumber who knows how to fix a sewer backup on your property, we’re just a phone call away.