Boiling Water, Baking Soda, and Vinegar: Sometimes, a combination of boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar can help dissolve and dislodge minor blockages. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush it with boiling water.
Start by removing any visible and solid obstructions from the drain, like hair or food particles. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Slowly pour the 2 cups of white vinegar down the drain over the baking soda. The mixture will create a fizzing reaction, which can help break down the gunk in the drain.
If you notice water gushing back out from the drain pipe or leaking out from the seams on the adapter, that is a sign that there are clogs in your underground drain.
Use a drain bladder/ball bag
After it's filled with water, the bladder will deliver a huge flow through the pipe, breaking up and flushing away the clog. A ball bag has to be used carefully, though – and we wouldn't recommend it if you have old pipes, as the high pressure might cause more harm than good.
You will likely pay around $350 to $650 to have a plumber unclog a main sewer line unless you have complications like serious damage to the line.
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. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then run hot water down the drain.
You may spot a 3 to 4-inch diameter pipe peeking out of the slab floor of the basement. The sewer drain pipe could be made of plastic or cast iron; it might be copper or brass in rare cases. The stub-out will have a screw-in plug coupled with a square-head lug on it, representing your access to the main drain.
DIY Solutions for Clearing Blocked Water Pipes
Explore effective DIY methods to clear minor blockages in your water pipes, such as flushing the system with hot water, using vinegar and baking soda, or applying a plumber's wrench to loosen any visible obstructions.
Average Cost of Drain Cleaning
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $150 and $400 for professional drain cleaning services. Here's a rough breakdown of costs based on the method used: Snaking/Augering: $100 to $250. Hydro Jetting: $300 to $600.
Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.
With a clogged basement drain, pouring Drano or similar products down your sewer drain can actually damage your pipes or the glue holding them together, causing more sewer system problems in the future.
Hydro jetting costs $475 on average but range from $350 to $600. A plumber can give you a quote and get rid of your sewer clog. Having to keep your plumber on speed dial is no fun for any homeowner. If chronic sewer clogs are giving you issues, it might be time to call in the big guns.
Test Balls for Drainage Lines
To start the process, make sure your main line sewer cleanout is clear of debris and liquid. Next, insert the test ball and inflate it so that it blocks the main line. Fill the sewer system with water and observe the water level for 15-20 minutes.
Opting for a traditional sewer line repair method requires digging a long, deep trench(es) to remove the old sewer pipes and install new ones. On average, this method can cost $50-$250+ per foot. This estimate depends on the length and depth of the existing sewer pipes, ease of access to the pipes, and more.
A plunger works to unclog the main sewer line because it creates an airtight seal with the drain. In the process, it helps force the stubborn clog out of the plumbing system drains.
You'll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment. Keep in mind that you won't get a quote from Roto-Rooter over the phone.
You see, a clog in the main sewer line means all the wastewater that is trying to leave your home now has nowhere to go and is eventually forced back up other drain lines.
One of the most common signs of a sewer backup is slow drains. If you notice that your sinks, showers, or tubs are draining slowly, it could be a sign that something is blocking the line and causing the backup. You can also try pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain to clear it out.
Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if it stems from something already included in your policy, like a fire or windstorm. Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.
In most households, washing machines and sinks are designed to drain separately. The typical setup involves individual drain pipes leading to the main sewer line, ensuring each fixture has an independent pathway for wastewater.