A clogged main drain can be a nightmare to clear. First, it will smell bad from the buildup of bacteria. Second, it will probably have backed up into your house before you even noticed it. And third, it could lead to a bigger problem later on if left untreated. Luckily, there are some things you can do at home before calling a plumber. First, check the kitchen sink to see if it has a plug-like stopper. If so, loosen it with a fork; otherwise, see if you can trap it with a bucket or something else that can catch the water. If you can’t get the plug to budge or can’t trap it with something small enough to catch water, then you will have to break the main line that feeds your main drain. This could be messy and risky, so we recommend hiring a plumber if you can’t tackle it alone. Here’s how to clear a main drain clog at home:

Turn off the water supply.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the main line. This could be the shut-off for a particular fixture or the main shut-off for the house. You can usually find the main shut-off valve by following the pipes from the water meter. If you can’t access the fixtures, you may be able to shut off the water to the house from the main water shut-off box. It might be helpful to shut off the water to the house first, then shut off the water to the main line from the house. This will allow you more time to get to the main line without constantly refilling the water.

Disassemble the trap and inspect the main line.

Once you have shut off the water to the house, you can remove the trap that is usually hidden behind a wall or in the floor. This is where the water from the sink and other fixtures meets the main line and enters your house. If you aren’t sure where the trap is located, look for an extension hose or a p-trap, which is a small metal device that has a U-shaped trap on it. You can also look for a ring of hairline cracks in the wall or flooring. These are usually areas where a trap was removed and never replaced. If you find the trap, you will need to remove it and look inside. You can usually unscrew the trap by hand, but if it’s rusted or corroded, you may need to use a crowbar or pliers. Once you have the trap off, examine the main line and look for build-up or damage. This could be an indication that the line has been clogged for a while and needs some attention.

Use a snake to clear the main line.

If you can’t see anything wrong with the trap or the main line, a snake may be the best way to clear out the blockage. Snakes are basically a long, thick piece of string that you can manipulate with a hand-cranked handle. This can be a bit tricky, so you may want to have an adult assist you. Snake tools are available at most hardware stores, but you can also make your own. Make sure to read the instructions carefully to make sure you are using it correctly. Once you have the right snake, follow these steps:

• Confirm that the main line is clear of debris.
• Loosen any debris in the trap, if possible.
• Push the main line up to the trap. This is where the water from the kitchen sink and other fixtures meets the main line. If there is debris in the main line, it could get sucked into the trap, creating a clog.
• If you can’t loosen the blockage by pushing the main line up to the trap, try pulling it down.

Blow it out with compressed air.

If the clog is further down the main line, you can use a blow-out tool to clean the line. These are usually a small canister with a tube that attaches to a plastic wand. They can be found at most hardware stores. Follow these instructions to use the tool:

• Turn off the water to the house.
• Attach the tube to the wand and place the canister against the pipe.
• Push the trigger to activate the tool and blow the line out.
• Retrieve the canister and replace the dirt and debris with water from the faucet.
• Turn the water back on.

Try a chemical cleaning solution.

If you can’t clear the main line with a snake or compressed air, you may need to use a chemical cleaning solution. These are usually available at most hardware stores and come in a liquid or gel form. Follow these instructions to use the solution:

• Turn off the water to the house.
• Dip the end of the cleaning solution in a bucket of water to create a thick solution.
• Dip the cleaning solution into the main line and scrub away any debris.
• Once the line is clean, flush it with water from the faucet.

Go in with a pressurized water hammer.

If you have used all of the previous methods and still can’t clear the main line, you may need to use a pressurized water hammer. These are usually a small, hand-cranked device that shoots a stream of water into the main line to break up any build-up. Follow these instructions to use the device:

• Turn off the water to the house.
• Make sure the main line is clear of any debris.
• Attach the nozzle of the water hammer to the faucet.
• Push the trigger to activate the water hammer.
• Let the water hammer shoot a stream of water into the main line, breaking up any build-up.
• Repeat the process until the line is clear.

Contact a plumber if none of these methods work.

If you have tried all the methods above and the main line still is clogged, it is time to call a plumber. The first thing they will do is shut off the water supply to your house. Then, they will likely use a camera to find the source of the problem. If they can’t find a blockage, they will dig up your main line and clear out any debris. This could be a large and messy project, so it is best to call a plumber if you can’t clear the main line at home. Remember, you can also hire a plumber to clear a clogged main line at the source by using the same methods above.