A main sewer line clog occurs deep in your plumbing system and can cause a sewer backup in numerous other areas of your home. It can also make things smell quite unpleasant.
That’s why you need to learn how to recognize and clear a main sewer line clog.
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
What you need to know about a main sewer line clog
Supplies you’ll need to clear a main sewer line clog
How to clear a main sewer line clog
What's In This Guide?
What You Need to Know About a Main Sewer Line Clog
The water travels through the water heater to the appropriate plumbing fixture in your home, including your toilet, shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink.
After you finish using it, the remaining water will flow out the drain and to the bottom of your home through the main line using gravity. The main line connects to the drain line that removes waste water from your home.
The main “drain” becomes your main sewer line on the exterior of your home. This will lead waste water to either your septic system (on private land), or to the city’s water treatment plant if you use their system. (About 20% of homes use a septic tank system that provides basic water treatment on-site).
As you send certain items down your main drain from various sink faucets, toilets, shower drains, they can accumulate inside of your main sewer pipe and create a clog.
When you get a clog in your main line, you will know it soon enough. Multiple drains in your home may start to drain slowly. You may also have a foul odor emitting from your sink or shower drains. Left unresolved, you may even experience sewage backup entering your home. Keep in mind that a toilet clog is different than a sewer clog. Read our article for help on how to unclog a toilet clog.
Supplies You’ll Need To Clear A Main Sewer Line Clog
Not all main sewer line clogs can be resolved by the homeowner if they are deep in the system, or beyond the reach of your basic tools. Using a sewer camera locator is very helpful in this situation.
It will not only help you identify the clog location, but if tree roots or a broken section is behind the cause, you’ll know that professional help will be required. Let’s cover how to clear a main sewer clog if it’s a routine situation.
Basic Tools
You may need some basic tools to get the job done.
Some of the tools you’ll need include:
Wrench
Pliers
Screwdriver
Hammer
Snake Drain/Auger
A drain snake, also called an auger, fits into your drain to break up a clog at the source. Most augers only reach a distance of 25 feet.
A power washer with a drain jetter attachment will send a powerful burst of water into your drain to break up the clog. Be careful.
Ensure you are not filling up an already clogged drain with tons of water that has nowhere to go. This can create a sewer backup, and it might not be covered by your insurance.
Chemical Drain Cleaner
You can use a chemical drain cleaner specifically made for your sewer line. The harsh chemicals in drain cleaners will bypass standing water to eat at the clog.
Some of the most common chemicals used in chemical drain cleaners are sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid.
How To Clear A Main Sewer Line Clog (6 Steps)
After you troubleshoot your sewer line problem to ensure you have a clog, you need to take action. Follow these tips on how to clear a main sewer line clog.
Step 1: Remove Drain Pipe Cap
To access your sewer line, you need to find a cleanout drain pipe cap. You can find them in the yard, flower garden, or in the basement of your home.
You may need a wrench to open the drain pipe cap.
Note: We highly recommend you first inspect your sewer line. This will help you identify the location and type of clog. You can do this with a relatively inexpensive sewer camera with locator. Avoiding damage is worth the small investment.
Step 2: Feed Auger Into Pipe
With the drain cap open, enter the auger into the cleanout. Continue to feed the auger into the pipe until you run into the clog. If you don’t own one, check out our reviews on the best electric drain snakes. They aren’t very expensive.
Step 3: Power Auger
Once you reach the drain clog, power the auger to rotate the end of the device to break up the clog. If you have the option, you can change direction from clockwise to counterclockwise.
Step 4: Use Chemical Drain Cleaner
If the auger can’t reach the clog, you may need to use a chemical drain cleaner. You need to use a chemical drain cleaner exactly as directed, especially when it comes to how long you leave the cleaner in your pipes.
Caution: This should be used with care as you can promote water backup if you don’t know what you’re doing.
You can apply a sewer jetter onto your power washer to reach even further than you can with an auger. Once you reach about a foot deep into the blocked drain, you can turn on the power washer to apply pressure and hopefully break up the clog.
In many situations, you may need to call for professional sewer line cleaning. Of course, this comes with a bill. On average, the cost to clear a sewer line comes to an average of $475. However, the bill will vary on the exact services required.
Once you get a professional, check with your city to learn whether the cost is your responsibility or theirs due to its location. Depending on where the sewer clog exists, they may help cover the expense of the sewer lateral problem located on their side of the property line.
If your main line pipe has deteriorated, is broken, or has excessive corrosion, it may require replacement instead of repair. In this applies to your situation, learn about trenchless sewer line repair as a new and cost-saving method for fixing the problem.
Step 7: Prevention
Once you get rid of the clog, you need to take action to prevent another clog from developing.
You should also be careful about what food waste you put down the drain or garbage disposal. You especially don’t want to put coffee grounds, fibrous vegetables, and eggshells down the drain.
A drain problem in your sewer system can lead to expensive damage if it backs up into your home, causing water damage that may or may not be covered under insurance.
In the case of an especially severe clog, you may need to call for professional sewer line cleaning if it is beyond reach, or if debris such as tree roots are behind the clog.
FAQs For How To Clear A Main Sewer Line Clog
Can I unclog my own sewer line?
Yes. You can unclog your own sewer line with an auger or caustic cleaner if it’s routine and within reach. In other cases, professional help is recommended.
How do you unclog a main sewer line without a snake?
To unclog a sewer line without a snake, you can try a chemical cleaner if hair and organic material are causing the clog. We recommend using a camera inspection device to identify the cause of the clog.
How much does it cost to unclog a main sewer line?
It will cost about $475 on average to have a professional unclog a sewer line.
What can I do if my main sewer line is clogged?
If you have a clogged sewer line, you should use an auger or a chemical drain cleaner. If the clog is serious, call a drain cleaning professional.
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
