3 Ways to Unclog a Main Sewer Line: Steps & Tips

No one wants to be in the situation of someone that needs to unclog a main sewer line. If you’re like most people, you’d dial up a professional plumber as quickly as possible in order to solve the issue more effectively. But sometimes a plumber can’t come soon enough, or otherwise isn’t available, and in those cases you’ll need to know some of the main ways of unclogging sewer lines.

Knowing how to unclog a sewer line should be part of everyone’s book of quick home fixes — if not for your own reference, then at least for your ability to help someone else in the future. This article is meant to educate you on three key methods for unclogging a main sewer line.

Identify The Cause

If you’re able to catch the signs of a clogged main sewer line early on in the process, there are a few things that you will be able to do to alleviate the problem before contacting a professional. The first step is to identify what the general source is. Although, there are many exceptions—especially when natural phenomena such as tree roots can also end up clogging drains in similar fashion—three key modes of unclogging sewer lines are at least worth testing out.

3 Effective Drain Cleaning Methods

Snake the Drain

If the blockage in your drain is severe, it’s possible that you may need to find the sewer pipe and use a drain snake tool to unclog the main sewer line. In many cases, this pipe is white with a hole in the middle — it also sticks out of the ground. Once you’ve located the sewer pipe, follow the instructions on the sewer snake tool until you encounter the clog and you are able to pull it out.

Read More: 6 Best Plastic Pipes to Use in Your House

Plunge the Drain

Although it isn’t an adequate means of unclogging an entire main sewer line, one way you can try to remove a blockage from a pipe is by simply plunging the drain. If you are unsure whether you have a clogged sewer line or a clogged drain, then it’s worth testing whether any of your existing drains can be unclogged in a manner that is appropriate or acceptable. Start by trying out your toilets, then try out any other drains that you think would be most relevant in the context of the issues at hand.

Hydrojet the Drain (advanced/professional)

If you’ve tried all of the above methods but still cannot find yourself able to improve the flow of your drain, then you almost certainly need the assistance of a professional plumber. In truth, many clogged sewer lines do not lend themselves to handyman fixes; rather, a large number of main sewer problems can be solved more easily by licensed plumber that specializes in fixing such issues. In order to solve this problem, you’ll need to get in touch with a professional that has more experience in the plumbing space and industry.

Despite the challenges that a clogged sewer line can pose for the livelihood of you and your loved ones, there are also many ways that you can take to try and alleviate the issue yourself. In most cases however, you’re better off calling a professional plumber to try and assuage the issue that you’re facing. At the end of the day, issues that involve plumbing are extremely complex — you’ll need someone with more experience in order to be confident that you’re able to clear a main sewer line clog.

Read More: Ordinary Causes of Clogged Drains & Troubleshooting Methods

Plumbing Repair & Installation Services

Luckily, there’s no shortage of qualified and talented plumbers available to help you out in the process of unclogging a sewer line. Our team of licensed plumbers offers drain cleaning and sewer line replacement services to homes in New Jersey. In addition, we offer other types of plumbing services for water heater leaks, broken sump pumps, and cracked water pipes. Our group of highly experienced plumbers can help you unclog a sewer line no matter what the problem is. Give our team of technicians a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 to receive assistance with a sewage backup.