Are you looking for ways to clear a clogged sewer line? Your sewer line is vital as it transports wastewater to the nearest treatment facility. If the main sewer line is blocked, drains can slow down or stop entirely. Depending on the extent of the blockage, homeowners may be charged over $500 by rooter and drain cleaning companies.
Clogs can be caused by debris and broken pipes. Even if your drains are cleaned out regularly, blockages can still build up and cause clogging.
Signs that a Sewer Line Clog is Here
A professional drain contractor should address the problem of any wastewater. If you notice a foul-smelling odor coming from your sink, toilet, bathtub, or shower, it is possible that your sewer line has become clogged. Clogs can cause sewage to drain poorly and even cause health issues to your family and pets.
Because they are connected to the municipal sewer system or septic tank, blockages can cause drains in households to stop functioning. If the drains aren’t working properly, the water level in the toilet can fluctuate. When you flush the toilet, drains connected to the sewer can cause gurgling.
What are the Costs of Fixing a Broken Main Line
The cost of repairing a broken drain line can rise significantly. If the main sewer line is hard to reach, the cost of repair can rise significantly. For excavations and repairs, expect to pay more than $150 per hour or more if tree roots or concrete slabs have to be removed.
- Frequent Clogs: If your toilets, bathroom, and kitchen sinks, as well as bathtubs and showers in your house, are not draining without a plunger or chemical drain cleaner, it could be a problem with the main sewer line. This problem should not be ignored, especially if it requires you to use a plunger/chemical drain cleaner every time you flush the sink.
- Slow drains: If you notice that multiple of your drains are slowing down simultaneously, this is a sign of a sewer blockage. Check all low-lying fixtures if you suspect a blockage in your drains. These fixtures include the bathroom, the bathtub, and the toilet. Problems can arise if they are slow to drain or do not drain at all.
- Bad Odors: When your main sewer line and drains are blocked, wastewater can back up into your toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. The smell of bad water will be evident even though you won’t see it immediately. This is an indication that the drainpipes are not draining properly or dirty water is back up.
- Multiple Fixtures: If you run your washer and your toilet overflow, it is likely that there are multiple issues.
- Unusual Sounds: Does your toilet make a strange sound when you flush it? Do you hear strange sounds coming from the walls or floors when you turn off the shower or run the water in your sink? You may have a blockage in your sewer pipe.
- Rise and fall in water level in the toilet: If your toilet’s water level is not normal, it could be a problem with the main sewer lines. Drain your kitchen sink and bathtub to check if the water level has changed. You should have your sewer lines checked if this happens.
- Water is leaking from the Cleanout: This is an upright pipe that plumbers use for unblocking sewer lines. A sewer drain blockage is when water flows out of the cleanout. The water can cause a lot of yard smells, in addition to being unsanitary.
- Exterior issues: Check your exterior for any water puddles (especially after it has rained for a while), yellow or brown patches on the lawn, and exposed tree roots that are too close to your house. These signs are usually indicative of a main sewer line obstruction.
Reasons Why Your Sewer Drain Gets Blocked
There are many reasons sewer lines can become blocked. It is possible to unclog drains yourself, but it can lead to more problems. Therefore, it is a good idea to call a professional plumber. A professional drain contractor can inspect your system and clean it. These are some possible causes for sewer clogs:
- Severe pipe damage: The sewer line won’t drain properly if it is damaged or broken. When sewer pipes are exposed to high traffic or heavy construction equipment, they can burst. Keep in mind that metal pipes can burst due to corrosion and they won’t drain properly.
- Sagging sewer lines: Sewer lines can sag due to soil changes. This happens when the sewer line that is sunk becomes clogged with paper and other waste.
- Root Infiltration: This is a problem that can occur if you have an older main sewer drain or lines made from porous materials such as clay, trees, and roots of shrubs. Root Infiltration – As the roots grow, they can cause sewer pipe damage and clogs.
You can’t flush certain things down the toilet. It will clog the sewer line if you flush debris like toilet tissue, eggshells, and coffee grounds down the toilet.
How to prevent future sewer line clogs
Maintain clean sewer pipes in your home to prevent future clogs. Do not flush feminine hygiene products, non-approved toilet paper, or thick paper towels down the toilet.
Cut Down Old Tress that Might Break Your Main Line
To prevent tree roots from damaging your sewer lines, you might consider removing any older trees that are within close proximity of your home or septic tank. Tree roots can cause sewer line clogs in the main sewer line by infiltrating lines and blocking water flow from the septic tank. Toilet paper and solid waste can be clogged by tree roots.
Use enzyme cleaners monthly
Enzyme cleaners are used to clean your sewer lines once a month. This will prevent them from becoming blocked. These cleaners are safe for your family and don’t contain harsh chemicals. This being said, it is important to have your sewer lines inspected regularly by a professional plumber.
Keep Your Plants Away From Your Main Drain
Plants should be kept away from the sewer lines. Roots can cause problems in your sewer line so don’t plant trees, shrubs, or flowers. They can cause pipe damage and make maintenance more difficult.
Be Mindful of the Items in Your Toliet
Use the wastebasket. Only human waste and water should be flushed down your toilet. Your sewer line can be severely blocked by sanitary products like tampons and sanitary pads.
Replace Old Sewer Lines & Clay Pipes
You should consider replacing lead or clay pipes in your older home. This will prevent sewer drain blockages. A professional plumber will quickly repair your sewer pipes and make sure that your system works properly.
How to Unclog Your Sewer Line
Professional plumbers have access to several tools that can safely clear sewer clogs. Video sewer line inspection cameras help plumbers diagnose the issue, augers (drain snakes), high-power hydro jetters, and professional-strength drain cleaners help plumbers break up or dissolve any clog.
Although you might be able to clear small clogs with store-bought chemicals drain cleaners, major clogs will require professional plumbing to be caught.
Three Ways to Unclog a Sewer Main
There are three main ways to unclog a sewer line. There are three options for unclogging a blocked sewer line:
- hydraulic drain cleaning
- mechanical drain cleaning
- chemical drain cleaning
Cleaning a sewer main line is necessary to remove any non-biodegradable debris or sludge. When a sewer line is clogged or during maintenance, cleaning is required. Call Smiley Drain for any drain cleaning services you need in New Jersey.
Hydraulic drain cleaning
Hydraulic sewer cleaning uses pressurized water to break down and push out clogs. Different types of clogs require different nozzles. Plumbers can use these nozzles to clean out their pipes.
Mechanical drain cleaning
There are three main methods of cleaning sewers: rodding, bucket machines, and the use of capsules known as pigs. They push or scrape out the debris to clear the sewer clog. For severe sewer clogs, bucket machines are a great choice.
Chemical drain cleaners
Chemical sewer cleaners use harsh chemicals to clear blockages from drains. Chemicals should be used with caution as they can cause damage to animals and plants. Some sewer systems can be cleaned with biological products that contain enzymes or microorganisms.
Ten Ways to Clean Your Sewer Drain
There are many conventional ways to unblock your main sewer line. These are ten easy, yet highly effective methods to unclog your main sewer.
1. The Bent Wire Hanger
Make a hook by straightening a wire hanger. Start to remove any obstructions by pushing the end into the drain cover.
Avoid pushing the gunk down the drain. After you have removed everything, hot water can be used to clean the sewer line.
2. Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great cleaner because it’s mild and can dissolve grease and dirt easily. Vinegar neutralizes acidic odor molecules and deodorizes drain lines. Combine 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda. Pour the mixture into the blocked sewer drain.
You can use vinegar to remove the hair, grease, and grime from the main sewer line if you are not sure how to do it. After one hour, flush the pipe with hot water.
3. The Dry and Wet Vacuum
When it comes to clearing clogged sewer lines, a wet and dry vacuum can be a powerful tool. To avoid any mess, cover the vent and seal the drain line.
After you set the vacuum settings to Liquids it will be able to draw the contents of the pipe up into the bag. Try unclogging the bag with a hanger if it does not work.
4. Boiling water
To boil as much water as possible, use an electric kettle. Allow the water to slowly percolate in the drain by pouring it into the drain. The hot water will dissolve any grease or grime that has clung to other debris and cause blockages.
5. Caustic soda
Protect yourself from chemical burns caused by caustic soda. Use rubber gloves and goggles to protect yourself. To make a mop, or bucket, add 3 cups of caustic soda to 15 Liters of water.
Once you mix it well, the mixture will begin to foam. Let it sit for 30 minutes before pouring it into your drain. Boil water to flush the drain.
6. Pipe Cleaning
Dirt and grease can cause the flex pipe beneath the sink to clog. To catch any water that may spill, place a bucket under the sink. You can loosen the nuts using a wrench or by hand.
The contents of the U-shaped tube should be emptied into a bucket. To remove any remaining debris from the pipe, use a toothbrush. Then flush the pipe with hot water, and tighten it again.
7. The Drain Snake
Drain snakes are flexible, slender augers that clear blockages in drains at your house. When you have to unblock clogs that a plunger can’t clear, the plumber’s snake is your best friend.
Push the snake’s end into the blockage and turn the handle. Continue pushing the snake until it becomes stiff. It will eventually get rid of the debris if it is rotated against the blockage.
8. Salt and Baking Soda
Baking soda and salt can react to create a chemical reaction that unblocks any drain. It is possible to make the perfect cleaning agent for your drain by mixing salt and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. Let the mixture sit in the drain for several hours. Rinse the drain with boiling water.
9. Dish Detergent
Clogged drains can cause havoc and should be treated immediately. You can also use dish detergent to unclog your drain.
Add a quarter of the dish soap to the bowl. Then add some boiling water. The dish soap will act as a lubricant and the boiled water will dissolve any dirt. To unblock the blockage, add more hot water.
10. Baking soda, Vinegar, and Water Pressure
You can unclog the drainpipe of a bath by using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clear it. The drain snake and a plunger are also needed depending on the nature of your clog. Combine baking soda with vinegar at a ratio of 1:4 and mix the mixture in 60 gallons of water.
As you pour the water down the drain, use the plunger/drain snake. The pressure of water will easily dislodge any debris from the main sewer line.
Hiring a professional plumber to unclog your line
If these home remedies don’t work, the blockage may be beyond your control as it is coming from the municipal sewer system. If your main sewer line is clogged, a professional plumber will need to snake or hydro-jet it. Hydro jetting, which is a complicated process, involves using high-pressure jets to clear blockages in drain pipes and remove all debris. To locate the problem and repair it, call Smiley Drain Cleaning.
Contact us immediately if you suspect you may have a blocked sewer line in your business or home. We will locate the problem and get rid of it as soon as possible. Sometimes, it may be necessary to replace or repair the sewer line. We offer emergency services and free estimates to North and Central New Jersey. Contact us below:
