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Basement Drain Backing Up After Shower: 3 Causes & Solutions

You just took a shower in your bathroom. But you see, your drainage system is having issues.

Because your basement drain is backing up after you have taken a shower, this is annoying!

Why is the basement drain backing up after the shower?

There are three main reasons behind this irritating problem. The very first reason could be too much water in the drain. Clog in sewer lines also plays a role in this issue as well. Finally, damage to sewer lines can also be responsible for this issue.

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Hang around to get the entire thing if you’ve some time!

Sounds about right? Let’s hop into it, then!

Why Does Shower Drain Back Up?

Let’s get to know the first culprit-

Sewer lines are not always properly maintained. At times, the main sewer line may become clogged. This way, water will begin to accumulate in your shower. 

Next, you might think of the usual suspects when you think of shower drain backup. Unfortunately, things like shampoos and soaps aren’t usually the main culprits. 

But the remaining soap scum from these products can be an issue. Because these eventually cause hair to fall out and clog the drain.

3 Reasons & Solutions To Avoid Basement Drain Back Up

You’ve already got the gist of the issue. But you must go through it in depth to get the whole part. This way, you can resolve the issue.

That’s why the reasons along with the solutions are provided below-

Reason 1: Too Much Water In Your Drain

Sometimes the issue is simply that there is too much water in the drain for it to manage. The majority of primary sewer lines have a diameter of 4 inches. As a result, they can handle more than 160 gallons per minute. 

Comparatively, this is far more than a single house can provide. Furthermore, this entails more than emptying an entire washing machine and turning on water faucets. This way, too much water is drained as a result of this.

By the way, this might eventually result in centipedes in your drain. The chances of centipedes in the drain will increase if the water stays too long.

Solution

You’ve too much water drained. To solve this issue, you must simply get rid of the water. 

Start by ensuring that the water level does not continue to rise. To do it, just turn off the water supply to your home. 

Remember one thing! That is, any running faucets or flushed toilets will worsen the problem. But it worsens mainly if the main drain is plugged in. You won’t be able to utilize any of the water in the house until the problem is fixed.

To fix this, use a portable pump with a hose that can pass through a basement window. The water would be pumped out of the basement this way. But getting the water out of the basement may be challenging. 

If it’s tough, try plunging the drain. This may assist you in getting the drain to work again. Moreover, give a check if you’ve any issues with leaks in the shower.

Reason 2: Clog in Sewer Lines

A municipal line is connected to your plumbing system. This line is usually connected to a section of sewer that runs beneath your house. All your dirty water passes through this municipal line to make things easier. 

So, why is it linked like this? 

Your house’s drains, showers, and toilets are all connected to the filthy water. There is a connection there from your community. This is secured so that the water goes there through your drainage system.

For this reason, that particular sewage line is significant. Because it’s connected to all of your home’s water sources. So, you’re doomed if this pipe clogs. Your home is prone to having a basement drain backlog.

Solution

To solve the issue, we will use vinegar and baking soda. You can use either white or apple cider vinegar for the task. By the way, you can clean your house with apple cider vinegar too.

Anyway, mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part white vinegar now. Pour the mixture into the sewer cleanout opening. Allow at least an hour to pass before flushing it with hot water.

You might wonder what could be the best vinegar to use for this! We’re here to help you!

The suggestions regarding white vinegar are provided below-

Aunt Fannie’s 6% Distilled White Cleaning VinegarCheck Current Price
AVO 1 Gallon Distilled White Vinegar – 5% AcidityCheck Current Price

These are the products you can easily trust!

Reason 3: Damage to Sewer Lines

You might not succeed with the above method, unfortunately. In this case, you may find yourself in the worst-case scenario. Damage to a sewage line is the most common cause of drain backups in basements. 

This problem can have profound implications. This generally occurs when the issue is not addressed promptly. Moreover, keep in mind that repairing broken sewer lines is a costly job. 

Solution

Unfortunately, this issue can’t be fixed by the users generally because this is something internal that needs to be inspected and treated professionally. That’s why you must consult the experts in this field who can check and resolve the issue. 

Tip: While unclogging your sewer lines, consider unclogging your washroom. Because your clogged toilet can also drain water which is even more annoying.

We are also recommending some pipe threading kits for plumbing if you need any:

Ratcheting Pipe Threader Tool KitCheck Latest Price
DEWALT 60V MAX Pipe Threader KitCheck Latest Price

These are all reasons and solutions to this problem. We have to wrap up now!

FAQs

How to understand if the mainline is clogged?

To start, you may notice several slow-running drains. It’s probably not a coincidence if more than one drain is slow. Instead, it could signify that one obstruction is causing problems for everyone. Furthermore, water would back up into adjacent drains, causing gurgling noises. Additionally, sewage scents may be detected emanating from the sewers.

How can a deep clog be unclogged?

To begin, remove the drain cap. Lower the auger into the drain afterwards. As you proceed, start twisting the auger handle clockwise. While encountering the blockage in the drainpipe, press the auger forcefully into it. Pull the auger back to dismantle the obstruction. Finally, propel it forward once more.

What could be the average cost to unclog a drain?

Cleaning a clogged drain typically costs between $130 and $180. This includes both the expense of locating the clog and the cost of clearing the drain. Most plumbing contractors charge a set payment of $50 to $150 for an initial visit. But this also includes the first hour of work.

Final Words

Now you know the solution to the basement drain backing up after the shower!

We believe our provided directions are pretty simple and easy to follow.

Good luck with your home improvement activities!