Toilet Flushes But Waste Comes Back: 8 Reasons Why

Your toilet flushes, but waste comes back. What’s that all about? The answer is more simple than you think. Sometimes, the problem is with your toilet itself, but usually, the issue is your sewer pipes. By the end of this article, you’ll know why your sewer pipes are broken, how to clear a clog, and how to fix a broken sewer pipe.

8 Reasons Why Your Toilet Flushes But Waste Comes Back

If you try to flush waste down a broken or clogged sewer pipe, the waste will have nowhere to go and try to escape using the closest exit. Sometimes, the waste will come back up through your shower or tub. But in this case, the problem is with your toilet.

4 Ways To Clear A Clogged Toilet

If the problem is just a simple clog, you can easily handle the issue yourself.

At-home remedies

If you combine products you likely have around the house, you can create your own natural drain cleaner. Check to see if you have the following items:

If you combine products you likely have around the house, you can create your own natural drain cleaner. Here are three effective mixtures:

The “Volcano” Mixture (Baking Soda & Vinegar) : This is the most popular home remedy for a reason. The chemical reaction creates fizzing pressure that can dislodge mild organic clogs.

Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 gallon hot water.

Method:

1. Pour the baking soda down the toilet bowl.

2. Slowly pour the vinegar in after it. Expect it to fizz rapidly.

3. Let the mixture sit for 15–20 minutes.

4. Flush the toilet to see if the water level goes down. If it drains slowly, follow up with the gallon of hot (not boiling) water.

The Grease Buster (Dish Soap & Hot Water) : If you suspect the clog is caused by hair or a slight grease buildup, dish soap acts as a lubricant to help the mass slide through the pipe.

Ingredients: ½ cup liquid dish soap, 1 gallon hot water.

Method:

1. 1. Pour the dish soap into the toilet bowl.

   2. Pour the hot water into the bowl (pour from waist height to create downward pressure).

   3. Let it sit for 20 minutes to lubricate the pipe walls.

   4. Attempt to flush.

The Deep Clean Solution (Salt, Borax & Vinegar) : For tougher clogs, adding salt and Borax adds an abrasive texture to the solution, helping to “scrub” the inside of the pipe.

Ingredients: ¼ cup Borax, ¼ cup salt, ½ cup vinegar.

Method:

1. 1. Mix the Borax and salt together and pour them into the toilet.

   2. Add the vinegar and let the mixture foam.

   3. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

   4. Flush with hot water to clear the debris.

Bonus Tip: The Wire Coat Hanger If you don’t have a plunger, straighten out a wire coat hanger, leaving a small hook at one end. Carefully insert it into the drain to fish out debris. Be gentle to avoid scratching the porcelain.

Read more about home remedies for a clogged drain.

A plunger

Chances are you have a plunger lying around somewhere. If not, you can buy one from your local utility, home goods store, or online. The one thing with plungers is that they can only clear clogs close to the surface. If the clog is deeper down the sewer pipe, a plunger won’t be very effective.

A sewer snake

You don’t have to be a plumber to use a sewer snake. You can buy one online or at your local hardware store. There are different types of sewer snakes for different types of pipes and clogs. If you have pipes less than 2 inches in diameter, you should use a flat tape snake. If the clog is tougher than usual, you can use a power snake, which is hooked up to a motor. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can still call a plumber.

Hydro-jetting

Hydro-jetting is a sewer pipe cleaning solution only available through plumbers. Hydro-jetting starts by accessing your sewer pipes using a cleanout or by removing a toilet. Then, a self-propelled nozzle shoots up to 4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) of water through your pipes, clearing away debris, clogs, and even tree roots.

If none of these solutions work, chances are the issue is bigger than a clog. You might be looking at a broken sewer pipe. If you schedule a CCTV sewer camera inspection, you can narrow down what’s causing waste to come back.

2 Ways To Fix A Broken Sewer Pipe

If you have a broken sewer pipe, most plumbers will recommend two different repair methods.

Traditional trenching – If your sewer pipe is extremely damaged, plumbers will suggest digging up all of the old pipes and replacing them manually. The procedure is very invasive, but it’s the only solution for collapsed, disintegrated, or back-pitched pipes.*

*A sewer line must be sloped down toward the city connection, allowing gravity to move sewage. If builders installed the pipe using the wrong slope, the waste can flow toward your home in the wrong direction.

Trenchless sewer repair – Trenchless sewer repair is just as the name suggests. It doesn’t involve trenching. Sewer repair professionals can replace entire sections of pipe without having to dig through your home or yard. Read more about how to replace the sewer line under your home.

Who Do You Call Now?

If you live in the Greater Los Angeles area and don’t know who to call, get in touch with New Flow Plumbing. We’ll get you started with a CCTV sewer camera inspection to determine where your problems come from. Then, we give you a free repair estimate, followed by the best repair options. Whatever the issue, New Flow Plumbing will have your plumbing running perfectly again.