How to Clear a Main Sewer Line Clog Without A Plumber

Nobody wants to deal with clogged sewer pipes, but sometimes it needs to be done. At NCT Plumbing in Fort Worth, we are experienced plumbers who want to help you get sewer clogs fixed as quickly and painlessly as possible.

How to know if you are experiencing clogged sewer lines

If your main sewer line is clogged, you may experience multiple backed-up drains in your home. Check toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. If you notice any gurgling, water backing up, slow drainage, or a foul smell, you probably have a clogged line. If only one drain seems to be clogged, you can try using a plunger or snake to remove the clog, but if more than one drain is backing up, it’s more than likely a clog in your mainline.

Now what?

1. Find the clean-out fitting. This pipe is generally located on the lowest floor of your home, or outside on the level ground. A part of it should be visible above ground. If you have an older home and it does not have a clean-out fitting, you should call in a professional to help you fix the problem. At NCT Plumbing, we have been clearing sewer and drain clogs in the Fort Worth and Dallas Texas Metroplex for years and we have same-day service to get you back up and draining quickly. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help.

If you have located your clean-out fitting and are comfortable moving on, follow our next steps to success.

2. Loosen cover. The section of the fitting that you can see is a plug that you can unscrew using a pipe wrench. The key here is to remove the cover slowly. Don’t pop it completely open or you may experience an unpleasant blast of waste. Slowly open and then step away as soon as the cap is loosened. Putting down a few old towels to catch the buildup before opening is probably a good idea for ease of clean-up.

3. Watch the buildup flow. Stand back from the fitting but remain close enough to open the cover fully as needed. Once this fitting is open, the built-up waste from the clogged line will begin to flow out. Be patient while it all flows out before moving on to the next step.

4. Now you’re ready to insert your plumbing snake into the fitting. Follow your plumbing snake’s instructions to remove as much of the clog as you can. Be prepared to repeat several times before the blockage in the pipe is fully cleared.

5. Flush out the line. Before you wind back the snake, spray it down with water while it’s still in place. This will remove any debris that remains and will also clean off any waste on your plumbing snake. Remove your snake and put the cover back on the fitting. Now go ahead and test your drains. Hopefully, the problem has been solved.

Sometimes a blocked sewer can be more than just a simple clog, or you may not be able to access your main drainpipe. If that is the case, check out our Sewer Plumbing Services and reach out for some help from NCT Plumbing.