How do you unblock a main waste pipe?

Author: Wellington Moore  |  Last update: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. ...
  3. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. ...
  5. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable.

How do you unclog a main water pipe?

Using Quick DIY Fixes
  1. Snake the piping with a bent hanger for close-by clogs. If the clog isn't too far down the pipe, a hanger might work! ...
  2. Dump a baking soda, salt, and hot water mixture into the piping. ...
  3. Flush the piping with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. ...
  4. Suck the clog from the piping using a wet/dry vacuum.

How much does it cost to unclog a main sewer 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 unclog a drain deeply in a pipe?

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and let the mixture sit for an hour, then flush with hot water. Plumbing Snake or Auger: A plumbing snake can physically remove blockages that are deeper in the pipe.

How do you know if your main pipe is clogged?

Watch Out for These Four Signs of a Clogged Sewer Line?
  • All Your Drains Reek. It's not uncommon to have a single drain that emits a foul odor. ...
  • Your Drains Are Blocked or Slow-Moving. ...
  • You Hear Loud Gurgling Sounds Coming From Your Pipes Throughout Your Home. ...
  • You Have an Unnaturally Lush Landscape or a Smelly, Sunken Lawn.

How to clean a sewer pipe in 60 seconds

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 do you unblock a main drain pipe?

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.

How to unclog main sewer line without a snake?

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 do plumbers use to unclog pipes?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

How to clear waste pipe blockage?

You can use some natural cleaners to create a fizzing effect that breaks drain blockages apart. Try pouring hot water down the drain, then follow it with one cup of bicarbonate of soda and a cup of vinegar. Leave it for ten minutes, then chase it with more hot water.

Can a plunger unclog a main sewer line?

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.

Is a clogged sewer line covered by insurance?

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.

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.

How do you unblock a mains water pipe?

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.

How to clear a main sewer line clog yourself?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. ...
  3. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. ...
  5. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable.

What is the most powerful pipe unblocker?

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 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.

How much does it cost to clean the main sewer line?

The national average rate for sewer cleaning prices ranges between $200 and $600, with most people paying around $250 for a main sewer line cleaning with minimal-to-no excavation to access the cleanout. This project's low cost is $150 for light-duty professional sewer cleaning with a snake.

How to unblock a main drain?

You'll need boiling water, a cup, bicarbonate of soda and some vinegar. Take the drain cover off and pour the boiling water down the drain. Add a cup of bicarb followed by a cup of vinegar, it should begin to fizz and bubble up. Replace the drain cover and repeat every couple of hours until the blockage is cleared.

Why won't my snake clear a clogged drain?

If your plumber snake isn't clearing the clog properly, try: Cleaning the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. You must clean this end for it to be effective.

How do you unclog a pipe when nothing works?

One option is to use a drain snake or auger to physically remove the clog. Another effective technique is to create a chemical reaction using baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then flush with hot water.

How much does it cost to unblock a sewage drain?

Cost Factors of Cleaning and Unclogging Drains

The overall cost of drain unclogging will depend on the blockage type, for instance, a small blockage in a toilet or sink is normally only priced at around £50 to £70. However, a more extensive blockage deep in your drains could end up costing you around £150 to £200.

Why is toilet paper coming out of the outside drain?

If you are connected to a septic tank, and you have a blockage in the drain between the house and your septic tank, your toilet paper will overflow through one of your external gully traps.

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