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.