To unclog a main sewer line, locate your home’s main sewer cleanout (usually a capped pipe in the yard or basement), open it slowly to let the backed-up sewage drain out, and clear the blockage using a rented heavy-duty drain auger or a sewer jetter bladder.
Depending on the severity of the problem, your sewer line could take anywhere from a half hour to 5 hours to be cleaned. A professional will come and talk to you about your issue. Then, they'll likely first try to resolve the problem with a drain clearing "auger" (a motorized snake-like tool that breaks apart clogs).
Finding a main sewer line blockage starts by checking the lowest drains in your home (like a basement or ground-floor shower) and locating your exterior sewer cleanout pipe. If opening the cleanout reveals standing wastewater, the blockage is in the main line. Tracing the blockage involves a step-by-step diagnostic process.
Does homeowners insurance cover your sewer line if it's damaged? Damage to your sewer line may be covered by your policy if it is caused by perils such as hail or windstorms, explosions, lightning or fire, damages caused by vehicles, vandalism or falling objects.
Plumbers primarily use motorized drain snakes (augers) and high-pressure water jetters to unclog sewer lines, typically clearing blockages through a sewer cleanout or toilet. These tools break up stubborn clogs like tree roots, grease, and paper from 2- to 4-inch pipes.
You can tackle a clogged sewer line using other strategies if you don't have a snake on hand. First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain.
A straightforward yet effective approach to addressing a clogged drain pipe involves simply using hot water mixed with dish soap. This method, ideal for tackling minor blockages, leverages the degreasing power of dish soap combined with the force of hot water to dislodge and dissolve clog-causing residue.
Avoid making guesses or unsupported statements about what caused the damage to your property. Speculating can lead to inaccuracies in the adjuster's report, potentially affecting your claim.
Common Sewer Line Problems
Pouring salt down your drain at night is a popular DIY plumbing trick used for routine maintenance. The goal is to take advantage of the salt's coarse texture and natural moisture-absorbing properties.
Yes, you can snake your own main sewer line, but it is a heavy-duty, messy, and physically demanding job. Standard household snakes are usually too short or weak. You will likely need to rent a large, motorized industrial drum auger from a hardware store like Home Depot or a local equipment rental center.
As the fall rains intensify and the seasons shift, one surprising tip is getting renewed attention: pouring vinegar down your drains to help prevent clogs.
Yes, a drain snake (plumbing auger) is highly effective for unclogging a sewer line. It works by physically boring through soft blockages or hooking onto debris to pull it back.
PMRs for malignancies of the stomach, kidney, brain, and lymphopoietic system were also elevated, especially among plumbers. Chronic rheumatic heart disease, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and all external causes of death were the major non-cancer causes with significantly elevated PMRs.
Below are four signs of a broken sewer line:
The insurance company that denies the most claims depends heavily on the type of insurance you are referring to:
Document Your Losses
Insurance claims are won and lost based on evidence. Keep records of your medical bills, your out-of-pocket losses and your lost wages. The more proof you have of your losses, the more likely you are to outsmart the insurance company's attempt to deny or lowball your claim.
The 80% rule in homeowners insurance dictates that your dwelling coverage must equal at least 80% of your home’s total replacement cost. Meeting this threshold ensures your insurance company covers the full cost of repairs (minus your deductible) for a covered loss.
In plumbing, the "135-degree rule" is a code standard that dictates how much a horizontal drain pipe can bend or change direction. It limits the total cumulative angle of pipe fittings before a system requires an access point (cleanout) or must be vented, ensuring proper flow and preventing chronic clogs.
The Signs You May Need Main Sewer Line Replacement Service
3 Plumbing Pipe Materials You Don't Want In Your Home
🧼 How It Works: Take a bar of soap (or cut one into smaller pieces). Drop it into the toilet tank—not the bowl. Every flush releases a small amount of soapy water, helping to break down stains and keep the bowl fresh.
It's best to instead opt for a Drano alternative as a safer and more plumbing-friendly way to unclog your drains. Some of the best Drano alternatives include using a plunger or pipe snake, soap or salt mixed with boiling water, or baking soda and white vinegar.
Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain: