How do you unclog a main waste pipe?

Author: Manley Jerde  |  Last update: Friday, November 21, 2025

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ...
  3. Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ...
  4. Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ...
  5. Hose out leftover debris. ...
  6. Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

Can you clear a main sewer line clog yourself?

A sewer line can't clear itself. It must be cleared by a drain/septic cleaner, if that works or an auger. If it's bad you need an electric auger that must be used in your main drain to clear out your whole sewer system. It can clear out stuff in y...

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 do you know if your main line is clogged?

4 Signs Your Main Sewer Line Is Clogged
  • Sign #1: Multiple drains are backing-up.
  • Sign #2: Drainage appears in sewer clean out.
  • Sign #3: Sewage in floor drain.
  • Sign #4: Water backs up in shower when toilet flushes.

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.

SECRET Plumber Trick: Unclog Drain in SECONDS 💥 (Extremely simple) 🤯

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.

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.

Can you snake your own main line?

Snake the Line

For deeper clogs, you may need to get a snake or auger to reach the buildup. You can use a snake to clear out drains, but you can also use it on the main sewer line. Locate the sewer cleanout pipe, which might be near a septic tank or near the main sewer line.

How long does it take a plumber 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 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.

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.

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.

What is the best way to unblock main drain?

#1: Use baking soda and vinegar

Simply mix one-third of a cup of vinegar with one-third of a cup of baking soda and when it starts to fizz, quickly pour it down your clogged drain. Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water.

How do plumbers fix a clogged sewer line?

How Professional Plumbers Clean Your Drains
  1. Manual Drain Snakes. A manual drain snake, also known as a plumber's snake or a drain auger, is a small boring tool that rotates slowly as it's physically pushed through a stubborn clog. ...
  2. Motorized Drain Snakes. ...
  3. High-Definition Drain and Sewer Line Cameras. ...
  4. Hydro-Jetting Machines.

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 much does it cost to have a plumber snake a main line?

The average cost of snaking the main sewer line is around $150 – $500, with the national average price hovering at $300 in most places throughout the U.S. For more complex clogs, expect the price to rise with difficulty, and add an additional $100-$150 to remove and reseal the toilet if necessary.

How do you clear a main line blockage 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 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.

How do I clear a main line clog?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ...
  3. Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ...
  4. Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ...
  5. Hose out leftover debris. ...
  6. Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

How much does it cost to have a roto rooter snake a drain?

Roto-Rooter sewer main line unclog service prices in 2024 may range from $400 to $600. A sewer main line is a large pipe that leads from your house to the larger municipal sewer line outside of your property line, usually buried under the street, and accessed by a drain cleanout.

Is green gobbler safe on pipes?

This is a big deal when you live in a home with a septic system. We were always hesitant to use certain products in the past and Green Gobbler's products truly give us peace of mind. The Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolverdoes not contain bleach or sodium hydroxide, and it's safe for PVC and copper pipes.

What to do if main water line is clogged?

When you start to notice a drop in water pressure in your home, or if water ceases coming out of some taps entirely, you may have water supply line clogs. Unclogging them requires professional plumbers: there's no plunger you can use to affect an incoming water line!

Which is better Mr Rooter or Roto-Rooter?

Verdict: Both Mr. Rooter and Roto-Rooter offer a standard lineup of plumbing services, including emergency response. However, Mr. Rooter has an edge with more comprehensive water line, well pump, and sewer repair and replacement services.

How long does it take to fix a main line clog?

Clearing a clogged sewer line may take between one and three hours. Performing a complete sewer line replacement using trenchless methods may take two or fewer business days.

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