A clogged main sewer line usually affects multiple fixtures at once. Watch for these immediate warning signs that point beyond a simple sink or toilet clog:
Use a Drain Snake
Slowly feed the cable into the pipe. You feel resistance when you reach the clog. Push and twist the snake to break up the blockage. Continue snaking the line until you no longer feel any resistance.
Drains in hard-to-reach areas, such as underground pipes or sewer lines, require additional effort and equipment. Unblocking these drains can cost between £250 and £500 or more, depending on the complexity of the task.
To help keep your family and home safe, we've covered 4 warning signs that your home's main sewer line is clogged.
Depending on the severity of the problem, your sewer line could take anywhere from a half hour to 5 hours to be cleaned. A professional will come and talk to you about your issue. Then, they'll likely first try to resolve the problem with a drain clearing "auger" (a motorized snake-like tool that breaks apart clogs).
A plumbing auger — also known as a plumbing snake — and a sewer rod are effective against some clogs in the main drain line.
There is no rocket science involved. When you pour salt down the drain at night, it gives the salt concoction enough time to work and cut through the grease and other materials which are blocking the block.
You can't see inside your sewer line, but plumbers have specialized cameras that can. A sewer line camera inspection is essential with any sewer line problem because: You need to know if it's a clog, tree root intrusion, or pipe damage. Knowing what's down there dictates how to address the problem.
A straightforward yet effective approach to addressing a clogged drain pipe involves simply using hot water mixed with dish soap. This method, ideal for tackling minor blockages, leverages the degreasing power of dish soap combined with the force of hot water to dislodge and dissolve clog-causing residue.
As the fall rains intensify and the seasons shift, one surprising tip is getting renewed attention: pouring vinegar down your drains to help prevent clogs.
A professional plumber will typically take no more than an hour to unblock a drain, but this can increase to three hours if the blockage is particularly tricky to clear or camera surveying is needed.
Common Signs of a Broken Sewer Line
If you want more earth-friendly home remedies for a clogged sewer line, combine one part baking soda with one part lemon juice or vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit for at least an hour before running hot tap water down the sewer line. Plumbing auger.
Not usually. While insurance may help cover damage to your property caused by tree roots, it generally won't cover costs associated specifically with the sewer lines.
How Do You Know if Your Drain Is Clogged?
It's best to instead opt for a Drano alternative as a safer and more plumbing-friendly way to unclog your drains. Some of the best Drano alternatives include using a plunger or pipe snake, soap or salt mixed with boiling water, or baking soda and white vinegar.
🧼 How It Works: Take a bar of soap (or cut one into smaller pieces). Drop it into the toilet tank—not the bowl. Every flush releases a small amount of soapy water, helping to break down stains and keep the bowl fresh.
Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain:
The 135 rule means horizontal drain pipes cannot connect using a fitting that creates more than a 135-degree change in direction. In plain terms, you cannot use a standard short-turn 90-degree elbow between two horizontal drain lines. Plumbers use two 45-degree elbows, a long-sweep 90, or a wye-and-eighth-bend instead.
Sewage contains germs like bacteria and viruses as well as parasites and worms that can cause stomach and intestine or liver illness. Germs and parasites may cause diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness or loss of appetite.
Flush drains with hot water weekly to break down buildup. Use a natural mix of baking soda and vinegar monthly to help clear pipes, or consider another type of drain cleaner. Check for slow drainage and address it early before it worsens.
Over time, the acidity of vinegar can cause wear on certain types of pipes, especially if they're old or made from materials like PVC. Repeated use of the baking soda-vinegar combination can gradually degrade your pipes, leading to leaks or even burst pipes in severe cases.