Toilets — despite their design and age — can eventually back up. This is a serious issue you don't want to ignore, because it may only get worse. Instead, you want to be mindful of these particular tips when responding to any type of toilet backup in your home.
Open the Lid to the Cleanout
Every property will have a cleanout. It's the short vertical pipe in your yard, and it's typically white. You want to identify this cleanout before doing anything else about the toilet backup. Take off the lid by unscrewing it.
That should help release pressure within the drainage system, and you'll notice this when the backup in the shower or tub area slowly starts going down. That may not fix the issue permanently, but it should be a good temporary fix that saves you from having to deal with bad odors caused by the toilet backup.
Hire a Plumber for a Thorough Video Inspection
Once you've temporarily dealt with the toilet backup, you need your sewer line thoroughly examined to see why this backup happened in the first place. The only professional you want to rely on for this inspection is a plumber, as they'll be able to use video inspection thanks to a small video camera.
It will be inserted in the main sewer line and provide a detailed video of every major component. Then the plumber can conveniently and effectively identify the problem, which could be blockage from household items, or maybe even roots from nearby trees.
Learn Toilet Backup Prevention Tips
Once a more permanent solution is worked out for the toilet backup, you still want to do your best to learn as many toilet backup prevention tips as you can. You then can keep the same problem from affecting your property again, or at least for a very long time.
Some solutions are particularly effective at preventing backups, including the addition of backwater valves, using toilets correctly, and not putting grease down the drains in the kitchen at all. These measures can keep your sewer line completely clear so that backups don't cause you ample stress every couple of years.
If ever faced with a toilet backup, a quick and sound response is always needed. If you prepare for backups before they ever happen, then you'll have a much easier time responding and getting professional help that takes care of the sewer line issues.
For more information about toilet backup repair services, contact a local plumber.