How long does it take to clear a sewer line?

Author: Jeramy Little MD  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

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 long does it take to clean out a sewer line?

Depending on the severity of the problem, your sewer line could take anywhere from a half hour to 5 hours to be cleaned.

How much does it cost to clear a sewer line?

Average Cost to Unclog a Sewer Line

Clearing a clogged sewer line costs $250 to $800, depending on where the clog is located, what causes it, and the necessary cleaning. A clogged sewer line is typically an indication of a much larger problem.

How does a plumber clear a sewer line?

For the toughest of clogs, a plumber may use a hydro jet. This tool sends pressured water through pipes to break down drain build-up. This tool is often faster and more efficient than a typical drain snake. Hydro jets get rid of the clog, but they're also effective for cleaning drains.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?

In most cases, home insurance will cover sewer line damage from specific events. This includes extreme weather (excluding earthquakes and floods), vandalism, fire, and damage from vehicles or falling objects.

EASIEST Way To Clear A Sewer Blockage -- This Should Be In Your Toolbox

How many years does a sewer line last?

Generally speaking, you're going to find that most main sewer lines will only last somewhere between 50 and 100 years before you need to do a main sewer line replacement. You could very well have a broken sewer line on your hands right now and not even realize it.

Is sewer line replacement tax deductible?

As a general rule, sewer line repairs are considered to be standard home maintenance expenses, which means you are not eligible for a tax break on your personal income tax returns.

What happens if the main sewer line is clogged?

If this main sewer line clogs, multiple fixtures back up because wastewater can't leave your home. All plumbing in your home connects to the sewer lateral, which is responsible for carrying wastewater from your home to the municipal sewer main operated by the city.

Do all sewer lines have a cleanout?

Do All Homes Have a Sewer Cleanout? At this point almost all homes have a sewer cleanout. The only houses that don't are older homes in which a cleanout wasn't installed originally.

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.

How do you clear a sewer line without a snake?

Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow this with a cup of vinegar, before waiting for at least 10-15 minutes so the solution has time to do its work. After the time has passed, follow it up with boiling water to see how well the drain has cleared.

Where is the main sewer line in a house?

It can typically be found in the basement, crawl space or garage. You will want to search for a pipe that is approximately four inches in diameter with a screw cap on the top that has a notch or square knob at the top. Note that some homes have an indoor sewer cleanout point, while others may be located outdoors.

Will Drano clear a clogged sewer line?

Will Drano® unclog a sewer line? No, Drano® is not recommended to clear a clogged sewer line. Bottle unclogging solutions are designed for minor clogs and are not strong enough to break up more extensive sewer line blockages.

How do you know when your sewer is full?

Toilets Flush Slowly

You might find that your toilet doesn't fully flush or flushes very slowly and odd noises occur when you flush your toilet. These noises usually sound like gurgling or bubbling. Additionally, the water in your bathtub or shower takes much longer to drain than normal.

How often do sewer lines need to be cleaned?

Most people should have their sewer lines cleaned every 18 to 22 months or every year and a half to two years.

Does insurance cover Roto-Rooter?

Most insurance companies will cover unexpected water damage. However, damage caused by an ongoing issue or structural problem may not be covered. Roto-Rooter makes the water damage insurance process as easy as possible by working directly with your insurance company.

How much is it to unclog a 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.

What is the lawsuit against Roto-Rooter?

A class action lawsuit filed in Minnesota claims Roto-Rooter is running a sewer line repair scam in which it lies to homeowners about the severity of their plumbing problem in order to charge them unnecessary repairs or replacements costing thousands of dollars.

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.

What is the easiest way to unclog a sewer line?

Mix 1/3 of a cup of vinegar with 1/3 of a cup of baking soda and pour the fizzy mixture into the clogged sewer drain immediately. If you don't know how to unclog main sewer line, take advantage of vinegar to eliminate the grime, grease, and hair in the pipe. Flush the pipe with hot water after one hour.

Can a sewer line unclog itself without?

So, can a sewer line unclog itself? Unfortunately, the answer is no — very small clogs may wash away on their own, but they can also develop into larger clogs that require a fix from a professional plumber.

Can I write off sewer bill?

WATER AND SEWER CHARGES ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS PROPERTY TAXES.

Can I claim house repairs on taxes?

You cannot deduct repair costs and generally cannot add them to the basis of your home.” If there's a larger renovation of your home and painting it is part of this renovation that will increase the value of your home, then you can include that in the basis of your home when you're looking to sell.

What is the depreciation life of sewer line?

The sewer line replacement costs is classified as a land improvement and depreciated over 15 years under the MACRS GDS depreciation schedule.

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