Sewers
Why does my main sewer line keep clogging?
I have a 2 family rental property that has the main sewer line keep backing up. Near the water meter there is a main clean out. When I take the access cover off and shine a flashlight down the hole it's dry. So now I know the clog is further up pipe. About 10 feet up pipe there is another main clean out and when I take the cover off on this one it's filled with water. I now know the clog is in a 10 foot section of pipe between the 2 main clean outs. My question is why does it keep clogging up there? I can get the drain flowing by running a lot of water down it but with waste and toilet paper it just clogs up again. Why? Things I've tried. 1. Draino (Helps but drain clogs again). 2. Sewer auger with 4.5" grinder bit (worked great but drain keeps clogging). 3. Snake (gets clog out but clogs again a few days later). Help! I don't want to have to call a plumber so he can charge my $$$ just to do the same stuff I've been doing. The clog is underground inside the house. I don't think the main line has collapsed inside the house, seems sort of unlikely. Does a boar scope have a light on it? Can it see in a drain that's full of water? The clog is inside the house so I doubt roots are the problem. I ran the 4.5" sewer grinder 100ft down. I figure the auger made it about 20-30ft into the city's main line. I did pull out some tree roots but the clog now is inside the house so I don't think tree roots are to blame. The section of floor in between the 2 drain clean outs is a dirt floor so if I do have to dig up that section of pipe it's not the end of the world but will be a lot of backbreaking work.
Public Comments
- Is the line underground? If it has come apart underground that will be a big problem. Is someone putting a lot of solid debris into the line? Are there kids in residence? You may need to rent a bore-scope to run a camera down into the line to have a look! Good luck! ;-(=
- Do you have a tree or bushes growing nearby? Could be the roots have grown into the line.
- When you used the sewer auger did you find sand or dirt on it? If so you probably have a collapsed pipe.
- if you have terra cotta pipes you can have roots yes even under your house roots seek water if you know your the clog is start digging
- Broken pipe. Tree roots. Get a camera.
