How do you unblock a main drain?

Author: Dr. Joany Wiza  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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.

What is the best way to unblock a main drain?

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.

How to clear a clogged main drain pipe?

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.

How do you unclog a main sink drain?

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar Pour a cup of baking soda into the clogged sink and wait for about four minutes. Afterwards, pour a cup of vinegar down the same sink. Plug the sink and leave it for 10 minutes to break down the blockage. Afterwards, run hot water to see if the clog is gone.

How do I know if my main line is clogged?

Strange Smells and Noises

Foul smells emanating from your sink, bathtub or floor drain indicate a main sewer line blockage. The clog leaves nowhere else for the waste causing the smell to go, leaving a lingering odor. In addition to strange smells, you might also notice a gurgling noise coming from your drains.

Throw it in the sink and the drain will never clog again! 💥(Amazing)🤯

Will Drano unclog a main sewer line?

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.

How much does a plumber cost to unclog a main line?

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.

How do you clear a deep clogged drain?

A plunger can be effective for dislodging clogs near the drain opening. For deeper clogs, a drain snake or auger can reach and break up blockages inside the pipe. Hydro jetting kits, which use high-pressure water to clear pipes, are also available for more persistent clogs.

How much does hydro jetting cost?

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.

What is the strongest thing to unclog a sink?

The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.

How long does it take to unclog a main sewer line?

Clearing a clogged sewer line can take an hour to a few hours, depending on the blockage. If your lines are severely blocked, a video inspection and more advanced techniques may be necessary to find and address the clog.

What chemical do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

What happens if main drain is clogged?

If your main sewer line is clogged, all the sewage and waste water sitting in the pipes have nowhere to escape. This means, eventually, the sewage will force its way into a secondary drain.

How do you clear a clogged main drain pipe?

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.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

How do you unblock a main waste pipe?

Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of table salt and pour it into your blocked drain. Leave it to work for twenty minutes or so and then pour boiling water into the plughole.

Is hydro jetting better than snaking?

Typically, professional plumbers will start with a snake, since most clogs are relatively minor. But hydro jetting may be the best option for clogs in multiple drains or severe clogs that continue to recur.

Why is hydrojet so expensive?

Why is hydro jetting so expensive? Hydro jetting is usually pricier than other options, including snaking and chemical drain cleaners. This is because there is expensive technology, plus a very advanced level of skill required.

Does Roto Rooter use hydro jetting?

Roto-Rooter's hydro jetting service is the most effective solution for unclogging and cleaning commercial, industrial, and municipal sewers and drainpipes containing grease, sludge, sediment, or mud. Conventional mechanical drain cleaning machines can only poke holes through these...

How do you unclog an underground drain?

Use a drain snake

The process of unblocking drains with rods is variously called snaking, cable rodding, augering or rooting. It involves pushing a specialist, heavy-duty metal cable through the pipe to break up the blockage, thus allowing water to flow through.

How do you unclog a drain when nothing works?

Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.

How much does a roto rooter charge to unclog a drain?

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.

Should I buy a drain snake or call a plumber?

If your clog is still stubbornly in place, consider a drain snake. There are cheap plastic ones and hand-cranked metal models, either of which might snag the offending blockage with no need for a plumber. But if you still can't get to the root of the problem, it's time for professional assistance.

What is the cheapest way to replace a sewer line?

Trenchless sewer repairs, such as pipe lining or pipe bursting, are typically 30-40% less expensive than traditional excavation and less invasive. Traditional excavation, which involves digging a trench to access the damaged pipe, is usually more expensive and can cause significant damage to your yard.

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