Your bathroom sink drain should function as a one-way path to send wastewater out of your household. However, mishaps with your plumbing system can cause something worse than your usual backup or clogged sink.
If you see water coming up from your bathroom sink drain, call Mankato’s top-rated plumbers for fast and efficient services. Babe Plumbing, Heating and Air, offers top-quality plumbing care that can restore your bathroom’s functions in minutes. Now that you know who to call, what could cause water to come back up your sink?
When Backed-Up Water Is More Than a Simple Clog
Have you ever had a clog or the same plumbing problems in more than one drain in the same room? If you haven’t experienced it or never thought it was possible, here’s why it can happen:
The Anatomy of Drain Connections
All the water flowing into your property comes from the main supply line. Every shower head, faucet, and connection to water-utilizing appliances like dishwashers and clothing washers is connected to it.
The same principle applies to the drainage system. While each drain has an individual pipeline at the start, they combine based on their rooms and proximity before finally merging into one.
That drain then connects to the main sewage line for your area, disposing of your wastewater along with everyone else’s. If you have a personal septic system, all the drains are still connected to dispose of wastewater that way.
How That Affects Plumbing Problems
Because the pipelines are connected, a clog in one spot can affect more than one system. For example, if a blockage, like tree roots, prevents water from flowing to certain parts of your property, it would show in more than one area. So, the kitchen sink would likely only dribble, and you could have trouble turning on the dishwasher.
The issue goes both ways. A clog further down the drainage line can affect more than one appliance. A toilet clog could also become a clog in your bathroom sink or shower. When faced with such widespread plumbing problems, it’s crucial to contact emergency plumbing professionals to prevent further damage and inconvenience.
Of course, this situation depends on where the plumbing problems occur and what causes them.
What Can Cause Plumbing Issues in Mankato?
Because of the health effects of bad plumbing, you should resolve issues related to your plumbing system as soon as possible. Most plumbing issues won’t lead to water coming up from your bathroom sink drain or shower, but some can. As noted, whenever water flows back into your sink alongside other blockages in nearby utilities, the problem could be further down the plumbing line.
Some of the main causes our team has noticed relate to common sink hazards and environmental stressors:
Hair
Hair can enter your drain during daily cleaning habits. If you don’t have a way to catch the hair, it can slip into the pipeline and gather in a hairball. While they may not initially block water flow, they can become a hotbed for bacteria, soap scum, and other pollutants.
Grease
Remember to dispose of grease properly instead of dumping it down the toilet, shower, or sink. Grease and water do not mix well, so they can clog your plumbing systems, causing backups and clogs.
Soap Scum
Mankato typically has hard water, which often contains calcium or magnesium. These minerals can react with soap, causing a sticky film we call soap scum. If you don’t use the right cleaners, the scum can build up in your pipes and cause blockages.
Pipeline Break
Water may not be flowing back into your sink because of a regular clog. Instead, pipeline breaks can also lead to improper water flow. For example, a break in the system can cause debris to fill the open spot, keeping wastewater from getting where it should.
Tree Root Infiltration
Although we no longer see any use in wastewater, trees, and other nearby plants still value it. The waste can serve as fertilizer for the plants, so their roots may follow pipe leaks to infiltrate your plumbing system. Then, instead of soap scum or grease, you have hefty, durable roots clogging your pipelines.
How to Handle an Overflowing Sink in Mankato
Don’t panic if you see water flowing back into your sink, drain, or toilet. Instead, follow these steps to confront the issue firsthand.
- No More Water: Do not add any more water to the situation by turning on the faucet or flushing the toilet. Even if you use an unclogged sink, the wastewater you produce could contribute to the issue.
- Don’t Uncap the Chemicals: Many commercial drain cleaners contain caustic ingredients, like sulfuric acid, which they say will break down many clogs. However, chemical drain cleaners can fail to address the source of the backflow while damaging your pipelines.
- Dump the Waste: Remove as much water as possible, especially if it has a bad odor. You could try dumping it down a toilet if it works in another part of the property. Otherwise, to stay safe, you may want to dispose of the liquid in your backyard or another place outside.
- Try Plunging Instead: You can use plungers in more than just your toilet, though you may want to have more than one plunger so as not to cross-use them. Remember to use a swift in-and-out motion until the water flows down the drain. If you cannot get rid of the overflowing water with a plunger, you should call a plumber as soon as possible.
Call Babe for Your Plumbing Woes in Mankato, MN
Do you have water coming up from your bathroom sink drain? Are you having trouble getting your drain open so wastewater can leave your home?
Babe Plumbing, Heating and Air, has over 40 years of experience keeping southern Minnesota homes safe and sanitary. All our contractors have the licenses, insurance, and expertise necessary for any plumbing issue, including getting a permit to replace sewer line components or installing new water heaters. If your sink won’t drain, call 507-625-7162 or visit our contact page for emergency plumbing services now.