Comments on: Main pipe in drainage system clogged, anything I can do without calling a plumber?

By: Cloe Oakley

Cloe Oakley — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:42:39 +0000

you can rent a snake from home depot for $50.. i would try that first.. then if that doens’t help call rotor rooter.. cost 300 they will come snake it and if that doesn’t work, they will put a camera down your line (no extra charge) so at least you can find the problem. I would also ask your neighbors if they are having issues.. if its not just you keep contacting the town could be the main line..

By: Madeline Perry

Madeline Perry — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:13:26 +0000

years ago i used this.
take a long length of galvanized pipe that’s threaded on both ends, at the hardware store buy two thin (not to thin) nuts that will screw onto one end of the threaded pipe. screw Only one on now find TWO large washers (at the hardware store) that will fit over the pipe, see if the have anything made of rubber that you can now make a large rubber type washer that you can cut to the size of the inside of the sewer pipe.
so here’s what you actually need
1 long pipe (6 to 8 feet long threaded on both ends)
2 large thin nuts that will screw onto those threads.
2 large washers that will fit over the pipe snugly.
1 piece of rubber that can be cut to the size of the INSIDE DIAMETER of the sewer pipe.
put one nut on, put one large washer on, put the cut out rubber washer on, put second large washer on, lastly put the second nut on.
what you now have is a RUBBER WASHER SANDWICH that you can use as a plunger on the outside sewer air vent to try to suck the clog out, just like using a plunger on your sink or toilet. keep the rubber washer tight but not so tight you can’t push/pull the pipe up and down like a plunger.
it’s worked for me, but that doesn’t mean it will for you.
it’s not that costly to try.
you may want to put water into the outside sewer pipe right before you start plunging.
good luck to ya

By: Giana Stubbs

Giana Stubbs — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:08:42 +0000

If you’re lucky enough to have a clean-out at the property line (i.e. where the pipe goes under a sidewalk or street) most cities will snake that section out for free. To find out if it’s clogged beyond that part of the pipe, remove the cover plug – if there’s standing water down in that pipe, the blockage is on their end of the pipe.

By: Riley Christmas

Riley Christmas — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:24:58 +0000

no
typically once it passes the lot line ( or the goes next to the sidewalk ) it the cities responsibility.
but in some cases the entire sewer lateral up to the main city sewer trunk line is your responsibility.

there is a good chance you have roots from a near by ficus tree or other deep rooting tree that has clogged your sewer pipes
rent a rotor rooter and snake the drain clear with the cutter attachment. the maybe rent a camera probe ( home depot rents them ) to see if you got a

clay lateral

cast iron lateral

or abs lateral

and to see if you got roots inside or any collapsed sections

By: Kathy Weir

Kathy Weir — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:33:11 +0000

Go to home depot and rent a roto-rooter and hit the main line with it. If you are on sewer and that is the problem they will fix but only in the sewer. If it is in the line to your house it’s all you. Are you sure you are not on a septic?

By: Rey Madden

Rey Madden — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:21:40 +0000

If it’s only in your house (not your neighbors) the city can’t help you. You can buy a plumber’s snake and clean the line out yourself, or just do like the rest of us do and call the plumber or RotoRooter.

By: Nyla Entwistle

Nyla Entwistle — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:41:00 +0000

If its on your property, you have to pay for it if the blockage is on the city’s property they pay for it. you can rent a snake and snake out the blockage.