How to Unclog Main Sewer Line – With/Without Cleanout

To unclog your main sewer line, locate the sewer cleanout and slowly remove the cap to release pressure. Use a drain auger/snake to clear the clog. If you don’t have a sewer cleanout, you can unclog the sewer line through the plumbing vent or remove the toilet and access the sewer line from its drain.

Unclogging a main sewer line is a challenging task that often requires professional intervention due to its complexity and potential risks. However, here’s a brief guide outlining steps you can take to attempt unclogging a main sewer line on your own, keeping in mind that severe blockages may necessitate expert assistance:

How to Unclog a Main Sewer Line

1. Gather Supplies:

• Drain auger (also known as a sewer snake)
• Bucket or container
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

2. Safety Precautions:

• Put on rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from sewage and debris.

3. Locate the Cleanout:

4. Prepare the Area:

• Clear the area around the cleanout to allow access and place a bucket or container nearby to catch any water or debris that may come out during the process.

5. Remove the Cleanout Cap:

• Using a wrench or pliers, carefully remove the cleanout cap. Be prepared for water or sewage to flow out once the cap is removed.

6. Insert the Drain Auger:

• Feed the drain auger cable into the cleanout opening while turning the handle clockwise. Continue advancing the cable until you encounter resistance.

7. Break the Blockage:

• Once you feel resistance, the cable has likely reached the clog. Rotate the auger handle in both directions (clockwise and counterclockwise) to break up the blockage.

8. Extend the Cable:

9. Retrieve the Cable:

• Gradually retract the cable while continuing to rotate the handle. This action should bring debris and clog material back with it.

10. Clean Up:

The Role of the Septic Tank in Wastewater Treatment

From flushing the toilet to doing the laundry, every household generates wastewater. This wastewater is a combination of blackwater (toilet waste) and graywater (kitchen, bathtub, and laundry waste). The question is, where does it all go? The answer is your septic tank.

Seperate and Break Down Solid Waste

A septic tank is a crucial component of any septic system. It’s an underground tank where the initial phase of wastewater treatment begins. The septic tank’s primary role is to separate and break down solid waste.

The separation process involves allowing the solids to settle at the bottom of the tank, forming a sludge layer, while the lighter materials, like oil and grease, float to the top, forming a scum layer. The remaining wastewater in the middle, known as effluent, is relatively clear and flows out to the drain field for further treatment.

Kills Harmful Bacteria

In the septic tank, the solid waste undergoes decomposition by bacteria. This bacterial activity is essential in reducing the volume of solids and preventing the accumulation of sludge in the tank. However, not all solids are broken down, which is why regular septic pumping is vital to remove the remaining sludge and prevent the septic system from failing.

Protects the Environment

Interestingly, a well-maintained septic system does more than just treat household waste. It also plays a crucial role in protecting the environment. As mentioned on our resources page, a properly functioning septic system cleans the water before it reenters the groundwater, contributing to the conservation of our precious water resources.

Moreover, a well-cared-for septic system can last anywhere from 30-40 years. To ensure this longevity, remember to pump your tank every 2-3 years. This regular maintenance prevents major issues such a way as waste backups or leaks that can occur when the tank is not emptied regularly.

While understanding how to locate your septic tank cleanout is essential, it’s equally important to understand the role your septic tank plays in wastewater treatment. After all, maintaining a healthy septic system is not only beneficial for your home but also for the environment.

In the next section, we’ll delve into the importance of regular septic tank maintenance and repairs. And remember, if you need any assistance with your septic system, we at Blackstone Septic Service are always here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sewer cleanouts are certainly very helpful in cleaning and maintaining your home's plumbing.

To understand them more, below are commonly asked questions about them:

Do I Need to Have a Sewer Line Cleanout Installed?

A sewer line cleanout can help prevent frequent sewage problems.

It also gives plumbers convenient access points if you have drain problems without having to employ invasive methods.

With this fixture, it's easier to fix clogged pipes and even REDUCE the cost of sewer repair.

How Much Does Installing a Sewer Line Cleanout Cost?

The cost of a cleanout installation largely depends on the complexity of the job and the accessibility to the main line.

You can expect a simple installation to cost under 400,000.

If the installation requires large-scale excavation and retrofitting, it can cost upwards of 2500,000 for the job.

What if I Don’t Have a Sewer Line Cleanout?

Most older homes do not have a sewer cleanout in their yard. In these cases, the septic system can only be accessed through the vent pipe on the roof.

Homes without a cleanout most likely have cast iron plumbing.

In most homes, sewer cleanouts are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, there are still some homes built before the 1970s with cast iron pipes.

There are also brass and copper drainage lines, but these pipes tend to be rarer.

We recommend replacing the entire system instead of putting a cleanout ON the cast iron pipe.

If the main drain clog isn't severe or you don't have a septic tank, you can try some simple steps:

• Use a plumbing snake
• Try a wet and dry vacuum
• Clean drain lines using a vinegar and baking soda solution
• Look for invasive tree roots

Prime Locations for the Sewer Cleanout

Outdoors

In warm climates with homes on slab foundations, the main cleanout fitting is often outside, usually near the home's exterior walls. Look behind bushes or a metal or plastic box recessed into the ground.

The easiest way to locate the sewer cleanout is to walk backward from the main sewer line (nearest maintenance hole or a curb with a large S stamped into the concrete) or your home's septic system. Follow the line from there; it's usually located next to the house in line with the septic tank or municipal sewer system. Look for a plastic pipe sticking up from the lawn or garden.

The main cleanout fitting is usually a large-diameter pipe with one or two threaded plugs in the top. It may extend above the ground near an outside wall or inside a ground box covered by a metal cover.

If you still cannot locate the drain cleanout, it may be accidentally covered or purposely hidden by being buried in a garden or obscured by foliage. Move lawn decorations obscuring the yard outside bathrooms, expanding the search area as you go. Overgrown grass can also be a problem, so you may want to mow the lawn to help make the search easier.

Bathrooms or Utility Areas

In other homes with slab foundations, the main drain may be located in a bathroom, usually on the floor near the toilet, or in a garage or utility area, usually near a floor drain. In these locations, the threaded plug may be flush-mounted into the floor or threaded into a short length of large-diameter pipe extending up from the floor. It can usually be opened with a large pipe wrench.

However, the drain cleanout isn't always installed on the main line. Some homes may have alternate access points to the sewage system, so look around for a black or white pipe with a threaded plug and a square nut. The drain cleanout might be close to a cluster of drainage pipes, like a full bathroom with drains for the sink, toilet, and shower. Inspect each bathroom in the home, looking for a capped black or white ABS plastic drain line.

Tip

If the cleanout cap is difficult to unscrew, it may have to be chopped out by a hammer and chisel and replaced with a fit-all plug. This universal plug has a lead ring hammered on to make a seal.

Basements

In houses in colder climates, where basements are more common, the main cleanout is usually found on the basement floor, usually near the foundation wall. A threaded plug will fit into a short length of large-diameter pipe that extends up from the floor.