Steps to unclog a main drain line.
How to unclog main drain line.
Do it slowly and allow it to sit for a few seconds before you remove the cap entirely so you can avoid any sudden spillage.
Stand clear as you remove the plug and as you work on the clog.
To unclog a main drain you ll need a drain cleaner or sewer snake with a 5 8 3 4 in 1 6 1 9 cm diameter cable.
Get an auger aka a plumbing snake and an adjustable wrench.
When you first notice the symptoms of a clogged sewer line turn off the water at the main supply or street level.
Fortunately if you notice that your main sewage line is clogged there are several things you can do to remove the block.
If standing water is present it can either be soaked up with rags or removed with a wet vac.
Use the pipe wrench to loosen the cap.
Waste water may drain out when you open the cleanout and when you break the clog.
Loosen the cap on the drain pipe.
It usually looks like a small pipe that sticks about 10 to 12 inches vertically out of the ground.
Put on a pair of goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and hands from contamination.
One of the first things the technician will do is locate the drain pain and check for standing water.
Your elbows will feel the pressure but you have to keep on going.
If you can still flush your toilet or if water is still draining down the sink you may just have partially clogged pipes.
Use a pipe wrench to loosen the cap on your main line drain pipe before you open it entirely.
Run hot water through your pipes if you have a partial clog.
Step 3 unclog the drain line.
To unclog the sewer line with a plunger make sure to stop your water from running if you can.
Turn your water on as hot as it will go and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes to dissolve or break up the clog.
The first step is to find your main drain cleanout location.
Loosen the cap on the drain pipe.
Step 2 check the drain pan.
Remove the plug with an adjustable wrench.
The dry condensate pan should be thoroughly cleaned to help prevent the growth of mold.
If the toilets are still flushing fine you probably don t have a blocked sewer line.
Most large drain cleaners will also have a cable length of 100 feet 30 m which should be long enough to reach any clog.
Luckily you can take immediate action to restore your plumbing system to a state of good health.
You can start by taking these steps.