How Do You Clear a Main Line Clog?

A plumber clears a main line clog using a sewer auger, hydro jetting, or a sewer camera inspection to remove blockages from the main sewer pipe. Common causes include grease buildup, tree roots, pipe damage, and flushed debris.

If multiple drains in your Denver home are backing up at once, professional sewer line cleaning is usually required.

What Is a Main Sewer Line Clog?

Your main sewer line is the primary pipe that carries wastewater from your sinks, toilets, showers, and appliances away from your home. When this line becomes blocked, wastewater can no longer flow properly and begins backing up into your plumbing fixtures.



Unlike isolated drain clogs that affect only one sink or toilet, a main sewer line clog usually impacts multiple drains throughout the house simultaneously.

Common causes include:

• Tree root intrusion
• Grease buildup
• Flushing wipes or hygiene products
• Pipe corrosion
• Broken sewer pipes
• Heavy debris accumulation 

Top Signs of a Main Sewer Line Clog

Recognizing the warning signs of a clogged sewer line early can help prevent major plumbing emergencies and expensive repairs.

Multiple Drains Backing Up

If several fixtures in your home are draining slowly or backing up at the same time, the problem is likely located in the main sewer line.

Gurgling Toilets or Drains

Gurgling sounds often occur when trapped air struggles to move through a blocked sewer pipe.

Water Backing Up Into Tubs or Showers

One of the clearest signs of a main sewer line clog is water appearing in bathtubs or showers after flushing a toilet.

Sewage Odors

Strong sewer smells inside or outside your home can indicate wastewater is not flowing correctly through the sewer system.

Wet or Soggy Areas in the Yard

Underground sewer leaks caused by damaged or clogged pipes can create wet patches or unusually green grass in your yard.

Why Sewers and Drains Need to Be Inspected

Sewers and drains can both become clogged or damaged, and an inspection can help you to determine the true condition of your pipes. These pipes are critical to your home’s condition, and damaged pipes can interfere with your ability to use the sewer line. Damage can also cause property damage to your home.

For example, some clogged drains or damaged sewer lines can result in sewage waste spilling back into the home. This can cause an unhealthy, stinky mess as well as the potential for water damage and more. Inspecting the lines periodically is a great way to learn about potential issues that are developing before they become problematic.

Different Drain and Sewer Inspection Techniques

There are different techniques that are commonly used today to inspect drains and sewer lines. Some Drain Inspection companies, for example, will push a snake-like device through the pipe to ensure that it is clean, and some will clean the pipes during this process.

This will check for signs of a clog, but it will not be able to determine if there is a crack or leak in the pipe. Cracks and leaks are common in the pipes outside of the home, such as with the main sewer line. This is because the pipe can settle when the ground settles, or tree roots can impact it.

The Best Sewer and Drain Inspection Method

The better method to use when inspecting a drain or sewer line is a video inspection method. With this method, a camera will be inserted into the drain line and through the sewer line. The plumber will be able to view the pipe from the interior, and this includes the entire length of the pipe.

Many areas of the pipe may be hidden in walls, a concrete foundation or underground, so the ability to see inside the pipe is a true benefit. If damage is found, it can easily be pinpointed so that repair work can be completed quickly.

When to Schedule a Sewer and Drain Inspection

The best time to contact a plumber to schedule a sewer and drain inspection is once per year. This will help you to keep your home in the best possible condition and will alert you to any possible signs of damage that require repair work before they turn into major issues for you.

However, it is important to schedule an inspection if you believe that there may be something wrong with your system. For example, your toilets and drains may all be sluggish, and you may worry that you have a clog in the main sewer line. An inspection can tell you what you need to know.

What does a sewer inspection consist of?

Sewer camera inspection is a process which involves snaking of a robotic snake, fastened with a camera at the lower end, down the drain for looking out for possible dangers or damages inside the sewer lines. 

Spring & Summer are the most popular time to buy a new house, and with that comes home inspections. Due to the Corona Virus (COVID-19) this has changed You may think of plumbing when considering a home inspection but getting your lateral sewer line inspected often does not come top of mind. It is, however, an especially important ancillary service.

A sewer scope inspection is performed by using a tiny camera to video record the lateral sewer line in a home that leads from the foundation of the house to the main sewer line. The recording will show any potential problems with the pipeline. 

Drain Brain LLC Sewer scope inspections are typically recommended for homes older than 10 years. We highly recommend that every home get the Video camera inspection just to be safe. There are a lot of benefits to getting a sewer scope done and serious risks if you forego it.

What Causes Main Sewer Line Clogs?

Several issues can block or damage your main sewer line over time.

Tree Root Intrusion

Tree roots naturally seek moisture and can enter tiny cracks in underground sewer pipes. As roots grow, they can completely obstruct wastewater flow.

Grease and Food Waste

Grease hardens as it cools and sticks to the inside of sewer pipes, eventually creating severe blockages.

Flushing Non-Flushable Items

Paper towels, wipes, feminine hygiene products, and other non-flushable materials are common causes of sewer backups.

Aging or Damaged Sewer Pipes

Older sewer lines made from clay or cast iron can crack, corrode, collapse, or sag over time.

How Professionals Clear a Main Line Clog

Professional plumbers use specialized equipment to locate and remove sewer line blockages safely and effectively.

Sewer Camera Inspection

A sewer camera inspection allows plumbers to identify the exact location and cause of the clog without digging.

Drain Snaking and Sewer Augers

Heavy-duty drain snakes and sewer augers are commonly used to break apart clogs and restore flow.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting uses highly pressurized water to remove grease, sludge, roots, and debris from sewer pipes.

This method is one of the most effective long-term solutions for recurring sewer line clogs in Denver homes.

Sewer Line Repair or Replacement

If the sewer pipe is damaged or collapsed, repair or replacement may be necessary to fully restore the plumbing system.

Can You Clear a Main Sewer Line Yourself?

Minor clogs can sometimes be removed using a drain snake or cleanout access point. However, severe sewer backups often require professional equipment like hydro jetting and sewer camera inspections.



Attempting DIY sewer repairs without proper tools can:

• Damage pipes
• Worsen backups
• Create health hazards
• Increase repair costs

If multiple drains are backing up throughout your home, it is best to contact a licensed Denver sewer line specialist immediately.

Main Line Clog vs Regular Drain Clog

Many homeowners confuse a regular drain clog with a main sewer line clog. While both can cause slow drains and backups, a main line clog affects your entire plumbing system and usually requires professional sewer line cleaning.

How to Prevent Future Sewer Line Backups

Preventative maintenance can help reduce the risk of expensive sewer line emergencies.



Prevention Tips

• Avoid pouring grease down drains
• Never flush wipes or paper towels
• Schedule routine drain cleaning
• Have older sewer lines inspected regularly
• Remove invasive tree roots near sewer pipes 

Plumbing Issues and Indicators

There are certain telltale signs to look for when determining whether your lateral sewer line is damaged. One is a foul odor. If there is a bad smell coming from your drain, it might be an indication that something is wrong with your sewer line.

A wet and soggy lawn may also suggest your house has a busted line. The moisture caused by a broken pipeline makes the sewer susceptible to rodents and insects, which could ultimately enter your house through the pipes.

Mold and mildew are another consequence of a leaky pipe. And lastly, broken slabs and wall cracks are an indication that you could have compromised piping. Fortunately, all these problems can be discovered by a sewer scope inspection.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

If multiple drains in your Denver home are backing up simultaneously, the problem is likely a clogged main sewer line rather than a simple drain blockage. Professional sewer line cleaning and camera inspections can help identify the issue and prevent costly damage.

Benefits and Risks

A typical sewer scope inspection costs between $150 to $200 dollars and takes less than an hour to perform, depending on the house. This is small compared to the tens of thousands of dollars you may spend fixing your lateral sewer line if you do not catch the problem in time.

The benefit of getting a sewer scope inspection done is having peace of mind knowing there are no issues with your main sewer line. The risk of not having one done is the financial burden it could carry months or years down the road if something goes unexpectedly wrong. If you do not get one, you could end up digging up your yard. Better safe than sorry!

In short, getting a sewer scope inspection can save you money and hassle. It is best to spend the extra money now because you never know what problems you may find later.

What does Sewer Gas smell like?

Like natural gas, sewer gas has a sulfuric odor. However, sewer gas generally smells more like rotten eggs and less like a skunk. The problem comes from a backup of sulfides, ammonia, methane, and other inorganic compounds. In low doses (and in most homes), sewer gas is harmless enough—even though it's unpleasant.

Can Breathing Sewer Gas make you Sick?

Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous even at low levels. Prolonged exposure to sewer gas can cause irritability, headaches, fatigue, sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, loss of appetite, poor memory and dizziness. It affects people and pets that are exposed to it over a long period of time.

8 Ways to Get Rid of Sewer Gas Smell

Clean the sink overflow. A sink overflow is a hole located either underneath or across from the faucet.

1. Check the toilet wax ring.
2. Caulk the toilet base.
3. Clean out bacterial growth in drains.
4. Check rarely used bathtubs and sinks.
5. Check for leaks.
6. Inspect your garbage disposal splash guard.
7. Schedule a video drain inspection.

Getting Rid of Sewer Flies

Soap + Water + Sugar + Vinegar

Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of water, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Leave the bowl out for a few days close to the drain to attract the drain flies to the sweet solution. The thickness of the added soap will trap the flies in the water.

Need Emergency Sewer Line Service in Denver?

Drain Brain LLC provides professional sewer line cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer camera inspections, and emergency plumbing services throughout the Denver metro area.

If you are experiencing sewage backups, slow drains, or recurring clogs, our experienced team can quickly diagnose and resolve the issue before it becomes a major plumbing emergency.

Call Drain Brain LLC today to schedule fast sewer line service in Denver 720-322-4845.

Main Sewer Line Clog in Denver- FAQ's