How To Unclog Your Main Sewer Line?

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If you’ve ever had a backed-up toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only does it cause unsanitary conditions in your home or workplace, but it also leads to wastage of water and can lead to severe structural damage if left unchecked. If you are experiencing clogged sewer lines in your home or business, don’t panic! This is a common problem that happens for several reasons – most often due to a lack of regular maintenance. Luckily, there are effective solutions out there that will help you unclog your main sewer line once and for all. Here, we’ll explore some quick fixes as well as long-term solutions to fixing clogged main sewer lines! Hopefully, our tips will help make sure your drains continue working as they should without any more issues! If you have a clogged drain, give our local Stafford plumbers a call as we handle all plumbing issues, even emergency plumbing services!

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5 WAYS TO UNCLOG A SEWER LINE

When your main sewer line gets clogged, it can be an expensive and frustrating problem to deal with if you don’t know what you’re doing. There are things you can do to prevent this from happening, but there are also techniques that are available to help you get the problem solved when the inevitable happens anyway. Here are some tips on how do I unclog my main sewer line? Let’s discuss!

1. USE WET AND DRY VACUUM

Using a wet/dry vacuum is one of your best options to start unclogging a sewer line because you can do it yourself without spending money or calling an expensive plumber. A lot of times, things that are stuck in your main drain just need to be removed with force, which is why vacuuming them out works so well. The benefit of using a wet/dry vacuum as opposed to just a regular old shop vac is that it has more powerful suction due to its ability to hold water with its tank and, therefore, will remove larger items from your system much faster.

2. CAUSTIC SODA

Caustic soda is known as lye or sodium hydroxide and works best on clogs that are composed of grease, soap, paper towels, or food waste. It comes in an oily liquid form that will need to be mixed with water prior to pouring it down your sink. This mixture is extremely dangerous to eyes and skin, so make sure you wear protective clothing, eyewear, and gloves when working with it! Then simply pour into your clogged drain and let sit for a few hours before rinsing away with hot water. If necessary, repeat up to three times for really tough clogs. Just remember — caustic soda is very harsh on pipes, so only use it if absolutely necessary!

3. SALT AND BAKING SODA

This homemade remedy is just as effective as using caustic soda but less harsh on your pipes. Mix salt and baking soda in a 1:2 ratio, about one cup of each, for a large clog or 1/4 cup of each if it’s smaller. Pour down the clogged sink drain and let sit for a few hours before rinsing away with hot water. The chemical reaction between the two will help break up stubborn clogs, soap scum, and grease and will eventually liquefy them so they can be rinsed down your pipes. Note that you may need to repeat once or twice after initially letting the mixture sit for several hours, depending on the severity of the clog.

4. DISH DETERGENT

Dish detergents have potent grease-fighting ingredients that are perfect for dissolving soap scum, grease, and food residue that’s clogging your main drain line. Simply pour 1/2 cup down your sink when it begins to back up and let sit for 30 minutes or so before rinsing away with hot water.

5. CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS

Sometimes there are things that are clogging your main drain line that just can’t be removed with common household remedies. If you, too, are frustrated by a seemingly endless flow of water down your sink and have tried everything from caustic soda to baking soda, it might be time to call in a professional plumber or pipe repair company. These guys will know exactly what’s causing your clogged main sewer line and will make sure it gets fixed correctly, so you don’t end up dealing with it for years to come!

If you’d like to learn more about what causes a faucet to leak?

Contact an Experienced Stafford Plumber Near You

Workhouse Plumbing is a family owned, veteran operated company. We offer a wide range of affordable plumbing & gas services to meet all of your residential or commercial needs. Our commitment is to provide upfront ethical pricing, quality, and reliable service, in a timely manner. We’re licensed, bonded, and insured to cover any project you might have. Our service areas include Northern Virginia and surrounding areas.


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