How to Fix a Backed Up Sewer Line

After warning your family members, gather the tools you’ll need. You should have a pair of pliers, an auger (also called a plumbing snake), and a sewer rod (also known as a sewer line snake) on hand. You should also wear goggles, rubber boots, and rubber gloves to protect yourself from the waste water and raw sewage you may be dealing with.

Once you have everything you need, hunt for the main sewer cleanout pipe. Ideally, it has a lid that’s labeled “Sewer Clean Out” or just “Clean Out”, but it can also be a Y- or T-shaped pipe that seems to be a dead end. It’s usually located in your yard around three feet from your house (if your garden has been landscaped in the past, you may have to dig around a bit since it may be buried underneath some dirt or mulch). You may also find it in your basement or crawl space, depending on how your house was designed.

Once you find your cleanout pipe, open its plug using your pliers. Expect a substantial amount of waste water to pour out so, if the pipe is vertical, you may want to put a bucket under it to catch the dirty water. After all the water has drained, guide your auger’s cable into the hole and push until it hits an obstruction. Crank the handle clockwise to make the cable catch on the clog and, when it does, push and pull until the blockage breaks apart. You can also thread the sewer rod into the hole until it reaches the obstructed part, move it around to ensure it catches on the blockage, and slowly pull the rod back out. Doing this may pull out the clog that’s causing your drainage problems.

Calling a Professional Plumber

If you’ve done the steps listed above but still have a problem with your drainage, call a plumber ASAP. A professional plumber has the right tools, skills, and knowledge to repair your backup-sewer line and get it back into shape in no time.