Sewage backups are unpleasant and can cause significant damage to your home and health. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including: - **Clogged drains:** Grease, hair, and other debris can accumulate in your drains and cause them to become clogged. This can lead to sewage backing up into your home. - **Tree roots:** Tree roots can grow into your sewer lines and cause them to become blocked. - **Damaged sewer lines:** Sewer lines can be damaged by construction, earthquakes, or other events. This can cause sewage to leak out and back up into your home. - **Overwhelmed sewer systems:** During heavy rains, the sewer system can become overwhelmed and backed up. This can cause sewage to flood your home. ## Why Is Sewage Coming Up in My Shower? There are a few reasons why sewage might be coming up in your shower: - **Clogged drain:** The drain in your shower could be clogged with hair, soap scum, or other debris. This can cause sewage to back up into your shower. - **Damaged sewer line:** The sewer line that runs from your house to the city's sewer system could be damaged. This can cause sewage to back up into your shower. - **Overwhelmed sewer system:** During heavy rains, the sewer system can become overwhelmed and backed up. This can cause sewage to flood your home, including your shower. ## How to Prevent Sewage Backups There are a few things you can do to help prevent sewage backups: - **Keep your drains clean:** Regularly clean your drains with a drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. - **Avoid putting grease, hair, and other debris down your drains:** These materials can clog your drains and lead to sewage backups. - **Have your sewer lines inspected regularly:** A qualified plumber can inspect your sewer lines for damage and recommend repairs as needed. - **Install a backflow preventer:** A backflow preventer is a device that can prevent sewage from backing up into your home. ## What to Do If You Have a Sewage Backup If you have a sewage backup, it is important to take action immediately. Here are a few things you should do: - **Call a qualified plumber:** A qualified plumber can diagnose the cause of the backup and recommend repairs. - **Clean up the mess:** Once the sewage backup has been repaired, you will need to clean up the mess. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from harmful bacteria. - **Disinfect the area:** Once the mess has been cleaned up, you should disinfect the area with a bleach solution. This will help to kill any remaining bacteria.