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Clogged Line Repair: How to Unclog The Main Line Fast

If you have a clog in your main plumbing line, you need to act quickly. A clogged line repair is the only way to restore your plumbing and prevent all of the issues that come with a major sewer clog. Although you should call a plumber for this job, you might want to arm yourself with some knowledge first. Here’s a step-by-step guide that tells you how to quickly unclog the main line.

Know What You’ll Need

Before you get started, you should make sure you have all of the right tools. Fixing a clog is easier said than done. If you don’t already have tools on hand, you may be better off calling a plumber. They have access to tools that get the job done well and quickly. First, you need a pair of work gloves. You don’t want to deal with sewage unless you have gloves for protection. Additionally, you need a pipe wrench, professional drain snake, and a hose. You can find most of these tools at any hardware store. 

Loosen the Cap

The next step is to loosen the cap on the drain pipe. Typically, you need a pipe wrench to loosen the cap. It’s likely to be tight.

Open the Cap

Once the cap is loose, you should be able to open it all the way. Be sure to move quickly because water and sewage could spill out from the pipe. Before you get to work, make sure all of the liquid is gone from the pipe.

Feed the Auger Cable 

Next, take the auger cable and feed it into the drain pipe. Every auger or snake is unique, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the tool. Usually, you need to feed the auger cable into the pipe. Once you hit the clog, you should notice that the auger doesn’t move freely. At this point, you can be confident that you hit the blockage and can proceed to the next step.

Run the Auger Until the Clog is Gone

You can’t just run the auger to the clog and stop. Instead, you need to run the auger and try to remove the clog. As a general rule, you can tell that the clog is gone when the water level in the pipe drops and the water completely drains. Continue to run the auger for a short time after the water disappears, or you risk leaving some debris in the pipes. 

Rinse the Debris

Using a garden hose, run water at full blast down the drain pipe. As you run the water, all remaining debris should move down the main line. If you skip this step, debris could remain and cause future clogs. 

Pull Out the Auger

Although this is one of the last steps, you should proceed with caution. If you pull the auger out too quickly, you may end up damaging your plumbing. You should slowly pull the auger cable out and hose off the debris as you do so. If you roll up the auger with debris on it, sewage will remain. 

Replace the Cap

Finally, you can replace the cap and tighten it with a wrench. You don’t want to skip this step, or you will face the consequences. And keep in mind that it’s not enough to tighten the cap by hand. 

Call a Professional

This alone may not be enough to fix the problem. In fact, a DIY clog repair could cause more damage than good. As you run the auger, you could damage your pipes. This is likely to occur in homes with old plumbing because the pipes deteriorate over time. Rather than take the risk, you might want to rely on an expert. There’s also a chance that there’s a bigger plumbing problem. Even if you remove the clog, you could have other issues. For instance, tree roots might be growing into your pipes. Although the auger could remove one clog, it is only a matter of time before you will have another clog. You should call a professional and have them do a video inspection of your plumbing. This is the only way to ensure that your plumbing is free of clogs. Equally importantly, an inspection is the best way to address other issues.   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I unclog a sewer line myself?

Like most plumbing questions, this one doesn’t come with a black and white answer. In some cases, you may be able to unclog a sewer line yourself. But most sewer line clogs are deep in the sewer line and require professional attention. And even if you have a minor clog, there’s the risk that you will damage your plumbing. Drain cleaning solutions and drain snakes have the potential to harm your plumbing. If you have a clog, you should call a company for clogged line repair in Frisco. Sewer line repair by a professional may be the best option.

Why does my main line keep clogging?

If you have frequent issues with your main line, you could have a serious problem. For instance, you might have tree roots growing into your pipes. You may also have old pipes that need updating, or you might be putting too much grease and hair down your drain. To get answers, you should call for plumbing repair in Frisco. A good plumbing installation service can inspect your pipes and determine the cause of your frequent clogs.

How do you get rid of roots in your sewer line?

Tree roots in your sewer line can cause serious issues for your plumbing. If you have roots growing near your plumbing, you may need to cut down the tree. You might also need an extensive plumbing repair. Before you have this problem, you should consider if any trees pose a threat to your pipes. Avoid planting trees with long roots.

Call Us for Clogged Line Repair

The next time you need clogged line repair, call us at Strittmatters. Don’t take the risks that come with a DIY clog removal. You can trust us with your plumbing. Follow our Facebook page for more updates and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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