Do it yourself: Tips about how To Clean Out Your Main Drain Line

Using a Sewer Snake 
If the trap is clean and the drain still clogs, the obstruction is further into the sink's drain pipe or the main drain. To clean these drains, you'll need a plumber's auger or, as it is more commonly called, a sewer snake. With the trap removed, put the snake into the sink drain line and push in until you meet the obstructions. When the tip of the snake is against the clog, try to catch the clog by turning the snake's handle clockwise. When the debris is sturdily hooked, twist and push the clog back and forth until you break up the clog. Flush the pipe with cold water. Once the clog is removed, reassemble the sink's trap. When you reassemble the trap after cleaning, you need to reseal the threads. Use pipe joint compound or Teflon tape. Run water for a few minutes to make sure the clog is completely flushed and the trap is not dripping where it has been reconnected.

Unclogging the Main Drain 
If more than one sink, bathtub or toilet is clogged, you'll have to clear out the main drain line or the sewer. To clean out the main drain line, locate the clean-out plugs found on the big drain pipes. Look for these plugs on the vertical pipes in your basement or crawl space. In several homes these drains may be positioned in a garage or pantry closet, or there could be access to these plugs outdoors alongside the foundations of your house. Generally these pipes will be vertical, but occasionally a plug may be found on a horizontal pipe. When you locate a steel or plastic cap for the pipes with a square fitting at the top, remove the fitting with a wrench. Be sure to have a waste bucket in place when opening up the drain. Use a plumber's snake to break up any blockages. Make sure to insert the auger in both directions of the pipe. You can also use a powerful stream of water from your garden hose to break up any debris. Replace the steel cap of the drain pipe.

Suggestions for the Kitchen Sink
Pour grease into cans and throw them in the garbage. If you happen to empty grease into the sink, the oil accumulates along the sides of the pipe and then food particles stick to the pipes, ultimately bringing about a clog. Also too much grease can eventually cause sewer blockages since the germs in sewage systems cannot quickly break down oil. When you are grinding up food in a disposal, run a lot of cold water to flush food particles down the pipe. Using too little water can contribute to the debris collecting along the sides of the pipe. Don't empty coffee grounds in the sink. Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain once a week to dissolve any fat or grease that may have accumulated.
 
Tips for the Bathroom 
Wash the pop-up stoppers in sinks on a regular basis. Hair typically collects here and brings about clogs. Don't flush heavy paper products down the drain. Unnecessary paper can clog the toilet and/or the whole sewer system.

See More About Local Placerville Plumbing Company Service & Repair 

Placerville Plumbing Repair  - (530) 961-4099
1390 Broadway Ste. B-341 Placerville, CA 95667-5900