There’s a reason why the job outlook for plumbers is expected to increase by 5% over the next decade. When something goes wrong with our pipes we rely on these professionals to get the water flowing again.
If you’re dealing with a clogged sewer drain, you might be wondering whether you should tackle it yourself or call a plumber. In this article, we’ll walk you through the unclogging process.
That way, you can decide whether or not it’s something you can handle yourself. Let’s get started!
How to Clear a Clogged Sewer Drain Yourself
All you need to clear a clogged sewer drain is a pipe wrench, an auger (aka plumbing snake), a garden hose, and work gloves. First, find the mainline drainpipe on your property.
Use the wrench to take off the cap. Once you take off the cap step back. Any waste that’s been building up will come spilling out the top. Once the waste stops, run your auger into the pipe.
Keep running the auger until the clog is completely cleared. You can usually tell this has happened when the water level in the pipe slowly goes down.
Once you finish this get your garden hose and spray the pipe at the highest setting. This will remove any lingering pipe debris. Then, remove the auger and screen the cap back on.
Should You Hire a Professional?
If you aren’t feeling confident in your ability to unclog a sewer drain, don’t feel bad about contacting a professional drain sewer cleaning service.
However, even if you are skilled at DIY plumbing, there are still some scenarios when you should skip right to certified professionals.
First, if the pipes have been laid incorrectly, they will need to be completely replaced. The same goes if you have trees or shrubs in your yard. The root systems can disrupt the pipes which will require the help of a professional.
How to Prevent Clogged Drains in the Future
The easiest way to prevent clogged drains in the future is to watch what you flush. Things like feminine hygiene products and wet wipes can easily cause a clogged sewer drain if you flush them.
You should also keep an eye on any trees near your sewer line. If it seems like their root systems will eventually be a problem, consider cutting them down.
Finally, perform maintenance by flushing enzyme cleaners once a month.
Like Learning About Clogged Drains? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn how to clear your clogged sewer drain. When it comes to dealing with raw sewage it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
So, if you don’t feel confident in you’re able to handle it yourself, make sure to call a professional. Otherwise, you could be exposed to dangerous pathogens.
Ideally, this guide helped you. If you keep exploring you can learn more about subjects similar to this on our website.