Is it How to Clear a Main Sewer Line Clog Yourself — Or Should You?
Before learning how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself, you need to ask an important question: should you even try?
Unlike a slow sink drain, a main sewer line clog cam issue. The wastewater backing up into your home is almost always “Category 3 water,” which is highly unsanitary and unsafe. If you’re dealing with a backup, the very first thing you should do is stop using all water in your house. Flushing toilets, turning on sinks, or starting the washing machine will only make the problem worse.
Why Calling a Plumber Is Often the Best Choice
We strongly recommend calling a plumber for this type of problem. A trained technician can limit the damage, clear the line properly, and even connect you with a restoration company if cleanup is needed. In some cases, insurance may help cover part of the damage, and restoration professionals (like our partners at Restopros) can help you navigate that process.
Just as important, a sewer clog is often only a symptom of a bigger issue. Sometimes the cause is a soft clog—something like excess toilet paper. But often the root problem is more serious: a sagging pipe, a break, improper slope, or invasive tree roots. Without a sewer camera inspection, you can’t know for sure.
The cost to clear and inspect a line is usually far less than the cost of repeated backups and water damage. Generally, the cost to replace a sewer line or make a spot repair is much higher than the first step, which is clearing the clog from the main drain line. Clearing a clog from a main drain is the first step, not a lasting solution. A plumber can give you peace of mind by identifying the true cause before more damage happens.
Understanding a Main Sewer Line Clog
Your main sewer line connects all the drains in your house to the city sewer or your septic system. When it clogs, every fixture in the home is affected. Signs include:
Multiple drains backing up at the same time
Slow draining in sinks, showers, and tubs
Gurgling noises from toilets or pipes
Sewage odors inside or outside the home
Soft Clogs vs. Hard Blockages
There are two main types of sewer line clogs that can block the drain lines of your home and cause a back up:
Soft clogs: buildup from grease, soap scum, or toilet paper. These are sometimes cleared with snaking or jetting.
Hard blockages: tree roots, collapsed pipes, or foreign objects. These require specialized equipment and professional training.
Knowing the difference helps determine the right approach—but in most cases, only a plumber with a sewer camera, sewer snake (and experience) can confirm what you’re dealing with.
Tools and Their Limits
People researching how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself often think of common household tools, but here’s the reality:
Drain snakes/augers: May punch through a soft clog but often only create a small hole that reclogs quickly.
Hydro jetting: A hydrojetter is a professional tool that uses highly pressurized water to clear certain types of clogs from drain lines. This can be a very effective method, but is not appropriate for all settings and can cause injury and damage if not used by a trained professional.
Chemical drain cleaners: Not suitable for main line clogs and can damage your pipes.
How to Clear a Main Sewer Line Clog Yourself (With Caution)
Inside the Home
If the clog is inside, you may need to pull a toilet to reach the line. But this is risky—if there’s sewage backed up, removing the toilet can unleash it directly into your bathroom. For most homeowners, this is not worth the mess or the health risk.
From an Outdoor Clean Out
If you have an exterior clean out (a capped pipe outside the home), this is where professionals usually start. But using a sewer machine carries serious dangers. These machines use heavy cables that spin at high speed, and they can grab clothing, hair, or even a hand in an instant, causing severe injury. Seriously, folks, these can rip your arm off. Rental machines, when available, often cost nearly as much as hiring a plumber who knows how to use them safely.
General Steps (For Awareness Only)
If you’re determined to try clearing the line yourself, the process usually looks like this:
Locate the clean out – usually a capped PVC pipe near the foundation or yard.
Open the cap slowly – sewage may be backed up to this point, so be ready for overflow.
Feed the auger cable – carefully guide it into the line while running the machine (this is where the risk of injury is highest).
Break through the clog – the cable may open a small passage for water, but this doesn’t guarantee the blockage is gone.
Check your drains – run water from inside to see if flow has improved.
⚠️ These steps are for awareness, not recommendation. The risks of mess, injury, and recurring clogs are high. Hiring a professional plumber is still the safest and most effective option.
Why a Clean Out Matters
A clean out provides direct access to the sewer line. Without one, a plumber may need to pull a toilet or find another way to get into the line. Installing a clean out makes future repairs faster and less costly.
What Causes Sewer Line Clogs?
Main line clogs usually come down to bigger issues:
Tree root intrusion
Sagging pipes that trap waste
Old, deteriorating clay or cast iron pipes
Improper slope from installation
Breaks or collapses in the line
Clearing the line without fixing these problems just means the clog will come back. Knowing how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself won’t be enough to have a lasting solution.
Preventing Future Backups
The only way to stop repeated sewer problems is to address the cause. That may mean replacing damaged pipes, removing tree roots, or correcting slope. Regular inspections are the best way to catch small issues before they become disasters.
The Most Powerful Option for Clogged Sewer Lines
When your drains are backing up, knowing how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself may feel like the most empowered option, but the truth is that having a plumber you trust is even more powerful. Having a reputable plumber with a long standing relationship with the community is key. Too often, homeowners call for help during a plumbing emergency only to be pressured into rushed decisions or left confused about their options.
Some companies see panic as an opportunity. At Aaron Plumbing, we take the opposite approach. We explain your choices clearly, answer your questions honestly, and give you the time to feel confident in your decision. Our goal isn’t just to fix the problem—it’s to earn your trust so you’ll know who to call the next time plumbing trouble strikes.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking up how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself, it’s natural to want a quick fix. But main line clogs are rarely simple. Even if you manage to clear it temporarily, the root cause will keep causing problems until it’s repaired.
The safest approach is to stop using water, call a plumber, and have the line both cleared and inspected. That way, you’re not just solving today’s backup—you’re protecting your home from the next one.
