How do you unclog a sewer drain?
D.J.Hill from Waco, TX
Rent a Roto-Rooter-type "snake" and try to drill through. If there are large tree roots growing into the sewer pipe, you'll need to call a plumber who has a larger "snake".
Once clear, there are organic bacteria you can add monthly to help clear the drains. Good luck! (10/14/2008)
By Nance
If the line is clogged between the hook up and the sewer, the sewer company may come out and fix it for you. If it is between the hook up and the house, it will probably be at your expense. Quite often if there are roots, there is a break in the line somewhere that allowed then to grow into the pipe. Just breaking them up will not be a permanent solutions, they will just grow back.
A professional (like Rotor Rooter or a plumber) will have better equipment for routing out the roots than you will be able to rent or replacing pipe if that is what is needed. Although it can be expensive, you certainly don't want a plugged sewer.
By ThriftyFun
Here in my part of East Tennessee, if the problem is between the house and the water main, it is your problem. If it is between the street, and the water main; then it is the problem of your water company.
Can you be a bit more specific about your problem?
If it is a clog between the toilet and the outside pipes in your yard, it could be that by taking up the toilet, snaking it out, this would fix it. When the kiddos were little, we often had matchbox cars, toothbrushes, wooden blocks and all sorts of things that kids drop in the toilet and say " hmmm wonder if this will flush ?"
But if it is something else, you'll need to dig the yard up between the house and the water main. There might be a break in the line, or tree roots have grown into the line.
Some of the old water lines are so old that they are corroding, and falling apart. But since it is underground, you can't see it. When water leaves your house, it follows the pipes, until it gets to the broken pipe. Then the water, or whatever, can't go to the sewer itself. It just stops or the "paper" piles up between the working line and the break.
Guess I'd either dig up the yard, take up the toilet, or call a plumber.
(10/14/2008)
By Barb in Tennessee
The reason I ever logged into Thriftyfun was from reading an article by David Hochman in the October 2008 issue of Reader's Digest. On page 126 he writes about having a stopped up shower drain and using a mixture of Dawn and boiling water to unstop the drain. He got the mixture from thriftyfun.com, but did not give the exact mixture. This is what I wanted to know and you have listed on your site and sent me everything but this mixture to unstop a kitchen and clothes washer drain that both drain into my main drain line and occasionally gets clogged.
(b)Editor's Note:(/b) A couple of squirts of Dawn followed by boiling water. You didn't send us an email address so hopefully you will see this.
(10/16/2008)
By D. J. Hill
I live in East Meadow New York and I feel really lucky to be able to pay $49.95 to get my sewer unclogged. I used to rent a sewer machine from home depot but I realized I was doing all the hard labor and was spending around $60 bucks, while I could call this great sewer and drain company for 49.95 called Any Sewer or Drain ( www.a4995.com )
I am not sure if they have any contacts in Texas but I hope their service and price goes to every corner of United States. I get tips from their blog which is probably maintained on a monthly basis at www.a4995.com/blogs
By Robert
RE: Unclogging a Sewer Drain
By D. J. Hill (Guest Post)
The reason I ever logged into Thriftyfun was from reading an article by David Hochman in the October 2008 issue of Reader's Digest. On page 126 he writes about having a stopped up shower drain and using a mixture of Dawn and boiling water to unstop the drain. He got the mixture from thriftyfun.com, but did not give the exact mixture. This is what I wanted to know and you have listed on your site and sent me everything but this mixture to unstop a kitchen and clothes washer drain that both drain into my main drain line and occasionally gets clogged.
If you can send me the proper mixture of Dawn and boiling water, please email it to me - but not anything else. Thanks!
I want the exact mixture too. Please e-mail me. My e-Mail: liuyantaishan AT hotmail.com (07/30/2009)
By Yan Liu
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