How often should you have your sewer line cleaned out?

Author: Kade Kris  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Expert Recommendations for Sewer Line Cleaning We recommend homeowners schedule sewer line cleaning every 18 to 24 months to prevent buildup and clogs. Regular cleanings help avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system.

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.

What is the average cost to clean out a 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 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.

How often should I inspect my sewer line?

Because sewer line inspections are so thorough and a great preventive measure, it's generally recommended you have a sewer line inspection at least once a year. It's also recommended you have a sewer inspection when buying a new home. You need to make sure the sewer line health is satisfactory.

Plumbline Services: How Often Should You Clean Your Sewer Line?

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 should I clean my drain line?

Routine maintenance on a weekly and monthly basis will help you keep drains clean and limit your risk of obstructions in these pipes.

How do you tell if your sewer line needs to be replaced?

7 Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Needs to Be Replaced
  1. There's a Spike in Your Water Bill. ...
  2. You Hear Gurgling Coming from the Pipes. ...
  3. The Water Is Slowly Draining. ...
  4. Your Yard is Soggy. ...
  5. The Smell of Sewage Lingers. ...
  6. Pests Are Attracted to Your Yard. ...
  7. The Toilet Bowl Water Level Is Up and Down.

What is the best way to clean a main sewer line?

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.

Why is sewer line replacement so expensive?

Sewer work is expensive because of the labor-intensive process involved, which includes excavation, pipe removal, and installation of a new one. It requires significant manual labor and expertise, driving up the overall cost.

Does insurance cover sewer line replacement?

Does homeowners insurance cover your sewer line if it's damaged? Damage to your sewer line may be covered by your policy if it is caused by perils such as hail or windstorms, explosions, lightning or fire, damages caused by vehicles, vandalism or falling objects.

How long does it take to clear a 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 much does Roto Rooter charge to clean drains?

Roto-Rooter costs $100 to $600 on average for minor fixture repairs or clogged plumbing. Roto-Rooter rates for fixing a toilet or sink are less than for unclogging drains and sewer lines. Plumbing services for emergencies like burst pipes cost $1,000 to $3,500.

Does every house have a sewer clean out?

A lot of people think they don't have sewer cleanouts. But as I said, pretty much all homes do these days. It's more likely that your sewer cleanout is buried, often in a flower bed area. People cover up the cleanout because they think it's an eyesore.

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 often should hydro jetting be done?

Whether your drainage system gets clogged easily or not, hydrojetting is recommended every 18 to 22 months to prevent clogs.

How do I know if my main sewer line is clogged?

When the sewer line that carries waste away from the house is blocked, you'll notice the four signs that follow.
  1. All Your Drains Reek. ...
  2. Your Drains Are Blocked or Slow-Moving. ...
  3. You Hear Loud Gurgling Sounds Coming From Your Pipes Throughout Your Home. ...
  4. You Have an Unnaturally Lush Landscape or a Smelly, Sunken Lawn.

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.

Will Drano unclog the sewer line?

Don't try to use drain cleaner to unclog the sewer line. It won't work and could make the problem much worse. The chemicals in drain cleaner are very caustic and have eaten through older pipes before, causing even more damage.

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.

Do plumbers check sewer lines?

Professional plumbers can use various camera styles to inspect the sewer line, such as: Remote-controlled crawler cameras. Pole or fixed zoom cameras. Push rod cameras.

Does the main sewer line always have water in it?

The second answer is NO: If you notice that drains are overflowing or making a gurgling noise or even sucking the water seal dry it would most likely point towards a fault in the drainage system.

How much does it cost to clean a sewer line?

According to a . net plumbing job estimator, the national average charge for a professional to service your sewer line is $196-$289. The lower end for a straightforward drain cleaning is $55, with the maximum around $1300.

How often are sewer lines cleaned?

Expert Recommendations for Sewer Line Cleaning

We recommend homeowners schedule sewer line cleaning every 18 to 24 months to prevent buildup and clogs. Regular cleanings help avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system.

How often should lines be cleaned?

Cleaning Lines and General Maintenance

At a minimum, you should clean your draught line every two weeks with an alkaline detergent cleaner to remove protein and films that build up quickly.

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