A clogged sewer drain is not only inconvenient but also unsafe. It can pose a threat to your health and the health of anyone living in your home if it causes raw sewage to back up into your home. When this happens, it can be extremely harmful to both your property and your family. This is why it’s so important to take action as soon as you notice a clogged or slow-moving sewer line. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to fix your clogged sewer line quickly. There are many ways to clear a clogged sewer line and prevent it from happening again in the future. Keep reading for some helpful advice on how to clear a clogged sewer line fast and safely.

Know Where the Clogged Sewer Line Is

The first step in clearing a clogged sewer line is to know where the problem is. There are several signs that will indicate that your sewer line has gotten clogged. These include gurgling sounds, excessive pressure on the toilet, and foul smells. Once you know where the clog is, the next step is to remove the excess debris that is causing the problem. There are several tools that you can use to clear a clogged sewer line. You can also use a sewer snake if you have one available. A snake is a long, flexible tube that is designed to unclog clogged drains and sewer lines. A snaking tool consists of a long, flexible tube with a metal blade on the end to break up any clogs. There are also other tools that can be used to clear a clogged sewer line. These include a sewer auger, a sewer jack, and a sewer pipe camera.

Break Down the Debris

Once you know where the clogged sewer line is, the next step is to break down the debris that is causing the problem. If there is a large amount of debris blocking the line, you can use a snaking tool to break it down. You can use a pair of garden shears to break up any large debris. If there is a small amount of debris, you can use a broom or a shovel to break it down. You also can use a plunger to break up any small debris that may be blocking the line. Placing a bucket under the clogged sewer line can also help you break down any debris that may be blocking the line. If the clogged sewer line is covered in debris, you will want to be careful when using a sewer snaking tool to avoid injuring yourself.

Use a Snake to Break Down Debris

If there is a large amount of debris clogging the line, you can break it down with a snaking tool. A snaking tool is a long, flexible tube with a metal blade attached to the end. The metal blade is designed to break up any debris that is clogging a sewer line. You can use a snaking tool to break up debris that is blocking a sewer line regardless of whether it is made of PVC or metal. If you have a PVC sewer line, you can break up any debris that is clogging the line with a garden hoe or a shovel. If the clogged sewer line is made of metal, you can break up any debris blocking the line with a pair of garden shears.

Try to Pipe Clean

If all else fails, you can try to pipe clean the clogged sewer line. Piping clean is a process that uses strong chemicals to dissolve the clogging material and clear the line. However, this is a serious and dangerous practice that should only be attempted if you are certain it will not cause any damage to your home. Piping clean will require you to open the clogged sewer line at the home where the problem began. Piping clean may be able to clear a clogged sewer line, but it is best to use it as a last resort. It is important to remember that most sewer lines are underground, making them extremely difficult to break open. This will make the process dangerous and extremely difficult.

Conclusion

Clogged sewer lines can be very dangerous, especially if they happen in basements or crawl spaces where it is easy for the sewage to accumulate. Fortunately, there are several ways to clear a clogged sewer line safely. The first step is to know where the clogged sewer line is. Once you have identified the problem, it is important to break down the debris blocking the line. You can break up the debris using a snaking tool or a shovel. Piping clean may also be an option if other methods fail. No matter how you clear the clogged sewer line, it is important to remember to flush the toilet after the problem has been resolved. This will help prevent bacteria from entering the home and causing an unpleasant smell.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Loosen the cap on the drain pipe
  • Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain
  • Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain
  • Run the auger until the clog is broken up
  • Hose out leftover debris
  • Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain
A good general rule is to have your home's sewer lines cleaned out every 18 to 22 months. That may be difficult to remember, but think of it as a year and a half to slightly less than two years
Consider using a sewer jetter to clean and remove dirt, sand, and yard debris that clog the foundation perimeter drain tile outside your home. A sewer jetter that's powered by your pressure washer can help you flush away the silt and debris so fewer clogs come back.
Perimeter drains or weeping tiles can last for decades. If properly installed, you can expect to have a problem free basement for a very long time. Older clay weeping tiles tended to deteriorate, and become clogged with soil and tree roots, but even these systems lasted for many years.