Every homeowner, including you and me, comes across a clogged sewer line at some point in their life. We all know how much effort it takes to unclog the sewer pipe.
Yeah, you can effortlessly remove the clog by snaking out the sewer system or calling a plumber to solve the issue. But the heck is- it takes a lot of elbow grease and time to snake out the clogged pipe. On top of this, cleaning the clogged pipe is a messy workflow. Alternatively, hiring a plumber requires your hard-earned money.
However, there is an affordable & effective cleaning method available out there. And it is- Chemicals-Clean. It doesn’t require you to put a lot of effort or money to spend. Only you need to know how to unclog a sewer line with chemicals. In this how-to guide, we will cover you up.
Contents
Symptoms that Let You Discern About a Clogged Sewer Pipe
Note the following signs that let you understand about a faulty sewer line. By taking these into account, you can quickly address the problem before it becomes a costly issue.
Every Drain Will Run Slowly
No matter how much wood & stray you burn to clear the drains, they will run slowly. You have tried out every DIY unclogging tip, but nothing brings any luck for you. If these happen to you, understand the sewer pipe gets blocked.
Multiple Plumbing Fixtures Get Clogged
Is every fixture like your toilet, sink, shower, or tub all backed up at once? If yes, we bet there is a blockage in your plumbing system; more specifically, the sewer line gets clogged. However, the toilet is the largest drain line, and it has a direct connection to the main sewer. So, you will have trouble with your toilet first if the sewer system gets clogged. On the other hand, if the toilet works smoothly while the sink or shower of your home is still slow, there is probably no stoppage in your primary sewer system.
Water backs up when you flush the toilet
Water will back up into your shower or tub if the main sewer gets clogged. When you flush the toilet, water can’t go down the drain due to the blockage. So, it comes back to the shower drain.
Your Toilet Makes A Gurgling Sound
If air is trapped into your plumbing system, the toilet or sink will make a gurgling noise when you flush your toilet or run water. Likewise, your toilet will make this sound if the sewer line gets blocked. To ensure whether the sewer system gets clogged or not, run water into your sink for about a minute. Then, if it gurgles or bubbles up, it is because of the blocked sewer pipe.
Reasons Behind A Clogged Sewer Line
Both natural and human causes are responsible for clogging the sewer line. Below we mentioned both reasons.
Natural Reason
Tree roots or branches may affect the smooth operation of your sewage system. For example, if the tree roots creep into the loose joint or tiny cracks, they start growing there as they get numerous nutrients.
And when the tree roots grow, it blocks the pipe and prevents the water from flowing smoothly.
Man-made Reason
You and I are also responsible for blocking the central sewer system. For example, it can clog the sewer line if you flush paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and facial tissues.
Therefore, if you use excessive toilet paper, it can block the sewer pipe and prevent water from flowing through the sewer line smoothly.
Simple Method to Unclog a Sewer Line With Chemicals
Now, you know what causes your sewer line to clog and the signs of a clogged sewer system. It’s time to face the problem and get your hand wet to solve the issue.
Safety Concern: Using chemicals to unclog the sewer line is risky. However, you can remove the blockage if you know how to use the chemical correctly.
Before applying chemical solutions, ensure you take the following safety precautions.
- Wear an eye protector and safety hand gloves to protect yourself from the harsh reaction of the chemical.
- Never make a mixture using more than one chemical cleaners.
Applying Procedure
First off, pay attention to the directions written on the chemical cleaner’s package or bottle.
Secondly, pour down the chemicals into the sewer pipe and leave it for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Finally, flush away the pipe with hot water.
Type of Chemical Cleaner You Should Use
We recommend you get a copper sulfate-based cleaner if the clog occurs by tree roots. This ingredient helps to kill the tree roots within 15 days after applying.
On the other hand, you can try out bleach-based cleaners if the sewer line is blocked by food or other particles like toilet paper. Bleach helps to dissolve the toilet paper and let it go down.
Last but not least, use a potash-based chemical agent if the sewer pipe gets clogged by grease.
Is There Any Good in Chemical-Cleaners?
The only benefit of using chemical cleaners is you don’t require a lot of elbow grease to unclog the sewage system. Just pour the chemicals into the pipe and flush the line with hot water.
But there are several downsides of applying chemical cleaners. Chemical cleaning solutions contained harsh ingredients that are not friendly to the sewer pipe. The pipe may get corroded and leak wastewater over time.
Therefore, copper sulfate flushes away quickly. So, it requires you to apply the solution several times, which takes time, effort, and money.
Conclusion
We hope you can learn how to unclog a sewer line with chemicals from this how-to guide.
Though chemical cleaners carry many risks, you can efficiently remove the blockage and clear the sewer system using it correctly.
Before pouring chemicals into the sewer pipe, ensure you read the using guideline written on the package. Don’t forget to wear safety gloves and eye protectors when using the chemical solution.
After applying this trick, if you fail to unclog the sewer line, it’s time to call a plumber to do this task for you.