Why San Diego’s First Heavy Rains Can Trigger Sewer Backups

Your drains were working before the rain. Now the toilet is gurgling, the shower is slow to drain, or water is coming back up through a lower fixture.

The rain did not necessarily cause the sewer problem. A blockage, tree roots, or damage inside the sewer line was already restricting flow. The heavier rain makes that existing problem easier to notice.

Why Can a Sewer Back Up After Heavy Rain?

Think about what is already inside the sewer line. Grease and debris can build up until there is less room for wastewater to pass. Roots can grow through cracks and loose joints and catch waste as it moves through the pipe.

The pipe itself can be the problem. Older sewer lines crack, separate at the joints, or wear down over time. Open joints and damaged sections can let unwanted water into the line during wet weather.

Poor drainage around the property can add to the amount of water around damaged piping. The first step is finding where the sewer is having trouble instead of blaming the rain alone.

Signs the Problem Is in Your Sewer Line

If one sink is slow, the clog is probably close to that drain. When the toilet, shower, and other drains start acting up together, we look farther down the drainage system.

Watch for:

• Several drains slowing down at once
• Toilets gurgling when you use another fixture
• Sewage odors from drains
• Water coming back up into a tub or shower
• Toilets that keep backing up
• Sewage coming through a lower fixture

Do not keep running water to see if the problem clears. If the main line is blocked, that water still needs somewhere to go.

Why Older San Diego Homes Need Extra Attention

Many older homes have sewer laterals that have been underground for decades. Clay and cast-iron pipe develop different problems as they age.

Clay lines can crack or pull apart at the joints. Roots find those openings and grow into the pipe. Cast iron can corrode inside, leaving a rough surface where waste collects.

If you have cleared the same sewer clog before and it keeps coming back, there is a reason. We need to see what is happening inside the line.

What Should You Do if Your Sewer Backs Up During a Storm?

Stop using water in the house as much as possible. Do not run the dishwasher, take a shower, or keep flushing toilets when sewage is already coming back through a fixture.

Keep children and pets out of the affected area. Avoid contact with sewage and backed-up water.

When several drains are affected or sewage has entered the house, call a plumber. Do not open the sewer line or try to repair it yourself.

How a Plumber Finds the Cause of a Recurring Sewer Backup

We do not want to clear a clog today and leave you with the same backup after the next storm. We need to know if the problem is buildup, roots, or damaged pipe.

Sewer Camera Inspection

A sewer camera inspection gives us a look inside the line. We can see visible buildup, roots, cracks, separated joints, and damaged sections of pipe.

It also shows us where the problem is located before we start cleaning or digging.

Drain or Sewer Cleaning

If buildup or another obstruction is blocking the pipe, drain cleaning clears the line so wastewater can move through it again.

Some lines have heavy buildup or roots that need hydro jetting. High-pressure water cleans material from inside the pipe when the line is in good enough condition for that method.

Sewer Repair Evaluation

Cleaning does not fix broken pipe. If the camera shows a cracked, collapsed, or badly worn section, sewer line repair fixes the damaged part of the line.

The repair depends on where the damage is and how much of the pipe is affected.

Can Sewer Backups After Rain Be Prevented?

Do not wait for another storm if the sewer has already backed up or the same drains keep slowing down. A recurring clog needs to be checked so you know why it keeps happening.

Cleaning helps when buildup is restricting the line. Cracks, root damage, and deteriorated pipe need to be dealt with separately.

When to Call Anderson for a Sewer Backup in San Diego

Call Anderson when several drains stop working together, sewage backs up through a tub or shower, or the same sewer problem keeps coming back.

For sewage actively entering the house, contact us for emergency plumbing. Stop using affected fixtures and keep people and pets away from the backed-up water.