How to clean a sewer drain : tips and tricks

Having a clogged sewer drain happens to us all at times, and often it just isn't as simple as throwing some "Chemical Drain Cleaner" down the drain and wait for the clog to go away. This article will show you how to unclog a drain.

How to clean your sewer drain pipes

There are separate "waste removal lines" that feed into a larger "main line" carrying waste water away from your house into the sewer system? Most residences have a "soil line" which carries kitchen sink and toilet waste to the main line. They are also equipped with a "waste line" which handles showers and bathroom sinks. This means there are two opportunities for clogs to form before the main line, which itself can be clogged. The First part of cleaning a sewer drain is to discover what part of your system is blocked.

Sewer jet blasting

It does not matter where your system is clogged, all experts will say you should never use a chemical drain cleaner to fix a "total blockage". You will need the aid of professional plumbing tools like a "sewer jet", which will blast away the blockage and restore the pipes to a more pristine condition. After using a sewer jet, it is always a good idea to test the integrity of your sewer systems using a hydrostatic line tester. If there were any already existing leaks in the pipe system sealed up by debris, that temporary seal was washed away by the sewer jet. The hydrostatic line tester will help you identify such leaks so you can repair and prevent further damage.

Drain cleaning and unclogging.

Always start from inside the house. The trap and trap arm are the first places stoppages occur. Then go to the outside clean out and remove the plug or cap. You can run a larger snake through this opening. If possible run COLD water at the same time (never hot water) while you are running the snake. This will moisten the residue and wash the line clean. NOTE: remember to always use a "GFI" (ground fault interrupter) in line with the electrical cord to prevent electrical shock (sometimes fatal) once the line is clear the best thing to do is, run a high pressure jet. This will remove the rust scales left behind that the cable didn't remove.

Unclogging hair clogs in the bathtubs & showers.

Look for and buy the drain stick. This is a device sold in the tools department of your local home centers. There are two kinds that I have seen. One looks like a long black plastic stick with a tiny 4-sided comb on the end. It has a flat handle on the other end and is very flexible and strong. The other is a white plastic stick that is flat with barbs running up both sides. Both work very well. To remove the hair, stick the stick into the drain. Rotate it a couple of times and pull it out. It will come out with the hair on it. If you have a lot of hair it may be quite difficult to pull out and can take some strength!

Frequent drain cleaning!

Once a month, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait an hour and flush with warm water. The combination fizzles away most of the buildup. Works for shower, tub and kitchen sink drains as well.