Main Sewer Line Blockage: Tips and Advice

*This is a collaborative post

Of all the issues a homeowner can face, a blocked drain ranks up there with a burst water pipe, and if the blockage is not dealt with quickly, waste will back up, causing more than just unpleasant odours. Of course, the hardest thing about dealing with a blocked drain is actually identifying where the blockage is, and if you are not a drain unblocking expert, you are advised to call in a professional.

Boiling Water & Baking Soda

This is a popular home remedy for a blocked drain, yet it is very rarely successful, especially if the blockage is somewhere in the main sewer line. It might work for a kitchen sink blockage, if accompanied with a suction plunger, although, the best solution is to search online for your nearest professional drain cleaning company. It is worth remembering that in order to unblock a main drain, you must first identify where the blockage is, and this can involve digging trenches, and there are no guarantees you will be successful.

Power Washing Drains

Once a blockage has been cleared, the drain cleaning firm thoroughly cleans the entire system using a very powerful jet blasting system, and this removes any residue on the inner pipe surfaces. This makes it much harder for a blockage to occur, and with regular cleaning, your drains will always be free flowing.

Professional Surveys

Drainage issues can often go unnoticed until they become major problems, leading to costly repairs and unnecessary stress. A professional inspection using advanced camera technology allows you to identify blockages, cracks, or other hidden issues without any disruptive digging. With a clear view of your drainage system, you can address problems early, keeping everything flowing smoothly and avoiding unexpected surprises. A CCTV Drain Survey is a smart and efficient way to ensure your home’s drainage remains in top condition.

Pipe Relining

This is often the best solution, especially when the blockage is caused by a pipe collapse, and the drain unblocking specialist can actually insert a new pipe lining without having to excavate. Ground movement or invasive tree roots can cause a sewer pipe collapse, and in such a case, you will experience a total blockage. The team would send down a CCTV buggy, which will locate the collapsed pipe section, then a liner can be inserted, which usually fixes the problem. There are situations when there is little choice but to dig up the damaged section, and the best thing to do is replace the section with a new one.

Attempting to unblock your drain might be successful, but in the majority of cases, it is ineffective, and the best thing to do is call in a drain clearing specialist who has both the know-how and the equipment to clear the blockage with the minimum of damage to your garden. If you take precautions by installing fine wire grills over all the waste water exit points, you are reducing the chances of a drain blockage, and never put food waste down the kitchen sink, as this is a major cause of a blocked drain.