How to Unclog the Sewer System
- 1). Locate the main drain or clean-out line for the structure with a clogged sewer system. Remove the drain or clean-out line cap using a screwdriver or adjustable wrench. The tool you will need will vary according to the construction and age of your building.
- 2). Position a motor-powered rooter two feet from the drain or clean-out line. Attach a rooter cutting bit to the end of the rooter cable; use a screwdriver or adjustable wrench, depending on your rooter. Put on leather gloves.
- 3). Pull the cable off the drum about one foot at a time and feed the cable into the drain or clean-out line until the cable is stopped by the clog. Pull about one more foot of slack cable from the drum.
- 4). Plug the rooter into an electrical outlet as described in the instructions that came with your rooter.
- 5). Hold the exposed rooter cable in one gloved hand and turn on the machine. Gradually push the rooter cable through the clog. Keep one gloved hand on the cable at all times to prevent the cable from whipping.
- 6). Reverse the direction the rooter cable spins when the rooter gets stuck; use the instructions for operating the machine in forward and reverse. To avoid damaging the cable, do not operate the machine in reverse for more than 10 seconds at a time.
- 7). Run the rooter in forward when you retract the cable. Retract the cable according to the rooter instructions. Retract most rooter lines with a hand crank. Re-root lines as necessary until the clog is cleared.
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