Note to readers: This post was updated on July 30, 2026 to tighten the steps, clarify when to call a pro, and link to our related sewer line guides. We refreshed the details below so the advice reflects how we approach this work today.
A clogged main sewer line is more than an inconvenience – it’s a health hazard for your household. If you suspect yours is clogged, there are steps you can take yourself before calling a plumber. This guide walks through 10 steps to clear a clogged sewer line, plus how to know when it’s time to stop and call a pro.
Not sure if your main line is actually clogged? Call us at (626) 448-6455 and we’ll help you figure out your options.
Note: This guide is for homeowners only. If you manage or live in an apartment or commercial building, stop and call your property manager – commercial main lines are built differently, and DIY attempts can cause serious damage.
What you’ll need
- Work gloves. Heavy-duty canvas gloves matter when you’re dealing with wastewater.
- Safety glasses. Clearing a main line can get messy – protect your eyes.
- Waterproof work boots. Save the good sneakers for another day.
- Pipe wrench. Sewer cleanout caps are often on tight.
- A sewer line auger. Rentable from most home improvement stores.
- A garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle. For cleanup and rinsing the auger.
10 steps to fix a clogged sewer line
Step 1: Locate your main sewer line access pipe.
This is usually in the front or back yard, near the street. Find it before you need it – not at 11 PM when the tub is overflowing.
Step 2 (recommended): Get a video camera inspection first.
Before you start digging in blind, it helps to know exactly what you’re dealing with – tree roots, a cracked pipe, or a simple clog all look the same from the surface. A video camera inspection tells you for certain, and we include one free with any drain cleaning purchase. Call (626) 448-6455 to schedule one.
Step 3: Loosen the access pipe cap with a pipe wrench.
Loosen it gradually – built-up pressure inside the line can blow the cap off suddenly if you rush it.
Step 4: Pry the cap off from a distance and let it drain.
Expect overflow. Stand back and let it gurgle and drain before you get close.
Step 5: Hose down the pipe exterior and surrounding area.
If your access point is near the street, direct runoff toward the gutter and storm drain, not your lawn.
Step 6: Feed the auger cable into the drainpipe.
Read the instructions for your specific auger before starting. Feed it in until you hit resistance, then stop.
Step 7: Work the auger back and forth to clear the clog.
You’ll know it’s clearing when the water level in the access pipe starts to drop. If you’ve been at it over an hour with no progress, tree roots are a likely culprit – that usually calls for a hydro jetting service rather than more auger time.
Step 8: Remove the auger while hosing it down.
Spray the cable as you pull it out so you’re not coiling sewage-covered cable back into a rental unit.
Step 9: Spray down the inside of the access pipe.
Clear out any leftover debris so it’s not sitting there for the next person who opens that cap.
Step 10: Replace the cap and clean up the area.
Hand-tighten first, then finish with the wrench. Hose down any surrounding dirt, concrete, or asphalt so nothing dries in place.
When to stop and call a plumber
If you’ve worked through these steps and the line is still clogged, or the clog keeps coming back, that’s usually a sign of something more serious – tree roots, a collapsed section, or a line nearing the end of its lifespan. Our guide on main sewer line cleanout symptoms covers the warning signs worth knowing. If you’re in the San Gabriel Valley or greater Los Angeles County, call Western Rooter & Plumbing at (626) 448-6455 and we’ll come out and give you a straight answer.
