What to Do When you Have a Clogged Sewer Line

A clogged sewer line is an issue that requires instant solution. Any delay can result in disaster. The water exhausted from sinks, showers, toilets and every other water openings in your house is eventually directed through a sewer line to a bigger sewer for your neighborhood. From time to time, due to clogs in these lines, a blockage develops. Water begins draining from all the gutter openings in the house because of such clogs. There are some easy solutions to unclogging sewer line. Having the knowledge on how to fix this type of problem can alleviate the possibility of stinking situation.

Step 1 – Locate the Problem

Look for the main sewer line inside your house. It can be located in more than one place depending on how the drainage is laid out in your house. Sometimes you will see a pipe with a threaded plastic nut bulging from the wall or underground.

Step 2 – Have a Bucket Ready for Spill

Suspend a container for the base of the sewer pile or at least grip one in place to avoid spillage. This will be a very messy job.

Step 3 – Unscrew the Drain Plug

Remove the sewer plug with a pair of channel lock pliers or a wrench. Turn the plug openings counter-clockwise until it is loose enough to move by hand. Using your hand, unscrew the nut and allow the fluid wastes and water to flow into the bucket. Have a rug or your mop ready in case of spills.

Step 4 – Unclog the Pipeline with a Snake Tool

Connect the power drain snake into the outlet and run attest to see if it is in a good condition. If your snake tool does not have a ready to use GFCI protection, you need to connect it on a GFCI outlet. Feed the cable into the gutter until it stops and hit an obstruction. Switch the machine on and start unclogging the sewer line using the forward button. You may need 2 hands to work on this while the snake work its way into the pipes. If the machine stops, press on the reverse button for a couple of seconds and then work on it again using the forward motion again. Use this process over and over until all the obstructions are cleared out.

Step 5 – Repeat the Process

When you are done, use a pressured water hose to check if the water still comes back in. If it does, you may repeat the process. Once you have finished, just press on the reverse button to get the cable off the sewer line.