what is the main drain line

How to clean a main line drain?

Mar 29, 2018 · Simply put, your mainline is your sewer line. It’s the line that goes from your house to the city connection or your septic tank. Before leaving your home, all of your drains dump into your mainline. When your mainline backs up, it is important to know where your cleanout is …

How to plug the main drain?

Mar 26, 2021 · What is the Main Sewer / Drain Line? The “main line” is the large-diameter pipe that carries waste from every smaller drain in order to eventually exit your home. Waste from every shower, sink, garbage disposal, and toilet makes its way here. Think if it as the major “sewer highway” in which all smaller “drain roads” connect.

Why does my main drain keep clogging?

The main sewer line is a large-diameter pipe that pipe that carries waste from every sink, toilet, and shower in your home, through branch drains that connect into it. When it gets clogged, every fixture in your home is affected, so it is a problem that just can't wait.

How much does it cost to replace main drain pipe?

Image Credit: Nations Home Inspect, Inc. A main line simply refers to a sewer line, which carries waste from your house to the city’s sewer lines or septic tank. Drains lines on the other hand are connected to a specific fixture (like a toilet, tub, shower or sink) and carry waste from the fixture to the main line.

How do I find the main drain line in my house?

How do I clear my main drain line?

Is a drain line the same as a sewer line?

What is the drain pipe coming out of house?

Why is my main drain backing up?

Is my main sewer line clogged?

What size is main drain line?

How does sewer line connect to main?

Are all drains in a house connected?

What is the Main Sewer / Drain Line?

The "main line" is the large-diameter pipe that carries waste from every smaller drain in order to eventually exit your home. Waste from every show...

What Causes A Clogged Sewer Pipe?

It typically occurs when sludge builds-up in old main drain pipes. Given that the line sewer pipe diameter gradually becomes narrow, there's a high...

What Types of Pipe is the Main Sewer Line?

Today, these lines are made from 4" PVC pipe material. However, earlier sewer lines were also made from clay, cast iron, and fiber. These older typ...

Why Do House Drains Smell So Bad?

A sewer drain pipe has a pungent odor because of decomposing waste materials that release strong sewer gas. This is why, when there's a sewer clog...

What Is A Main Sewer Line Cleanout?

Before approaching the best method for drain cleaning or repair you first have to locate the cleanout. So, let's talk about how you can do that. Up...

How to Find the Main Sewer Line in Colder Climates

Finding a sewer cleanout is not always a walk in the park. Although it's commonly found in a utility area, its infrequent use means homeowners forg...

How to Locate the Outside Sewer Line Cleanout in Warmer Regions

The main sewer line cleanout is typically found on the exterior of a property in warmer climates. This is very common for our plumbing company in D...

What are sewer lines made of?

However, earlier sewer lines were also made from clay, cast iron, and fiber. These older types of material commonly led to a damaged a sewer line needing replacement, and were susceptible to tree root intrusion. The material the pipe is made from is typically identified upon a sewer scope inspection.

What is a clogged drain pipe?

Many homeowners are familiar with these as they are usually used to clear smaller drain blockages. Additionally, a clogged sewer pipe can occur when tree roots in your yard pierce through the joints between the pipes. As a result, they clog the sewer drain pipe. In this predicament, a professional plumber uses a unique auger with cutting blades ...

What causes a clogged sewer pipe?

Additionally, a clogged sewer pipe can occur when tree roots in your yard pierce through the joints between the pipes. As a result, they clog the sewer drain pipe. In this predicament, a professional plumber uses a unique auger with cutting blades or a hydro jet to clear the blockage.

Why does my sewer pipe smell?

A sewer drain pipe has a pungent odor because of decomposing waste materials that release strong sewer gas. This is why, when there’s a sewer clog somewhere down the line, you need to act fast. (It’s also why there is a safety concern when sewage backup occurs.)

What is a Main Line?

To put it simply, your main line is your sewer line. It’s a line located underground that carries all wastewater from your home to a municipal connection or septic tank, not just toilet water.

What is a Drain Line?

Drain lines are lines located inside of your home that are connected to your plumbing fixtures such as your toilets, sinks, and showers. They don’t lead directly to your sewer system or septic tank, but they dump into the main line.

Understanding your Main Line and Your Drain Line

Knowing the difference between your main line and your drain line is important because they’re two entirely different things with different fixes and costs.Generally, a main line clog is going to require a professional plumber and involves more steps.

What is the difference between a sewer line and a drain line?

It’s important to understand the difference between your sewer main line and drain line. The main sewer line is outside the home, while drain lines are inside your house. When these systems need maintenance or repairs, the type of plumber you should call will depend on whether the problem is in a drain line inside your home or ...

Where is the main sewer line?

The main sewer line is outside the home, while drain lines are inside your house. When these systems need maintenance or repairs, the type of plumber you should call will depend on whether the problem is in a drain line inside your home or the sewer main line outside your home.

Can sewer lines rupture?

Sewer main lines can sag, leak, or rupture, causing a mess in your front yard or even pools of sewage on sidewalks and streets. In New York City, main sewer line replacement requires knowledge of city codes, permits, and Department of Environmental Protection regulations. It requires the ability to excavate to reach pipes, ...

Can a sink drain clog?

Drains can clog, and you can usually tell that there’s a problem with an indoor drainpipe if a sink is clogged or a tub backs up. Sometimes, the clog occurs further down the drain line. These kinds of clogs, however, usually affect only one fixture or room in your house.

What is the drain in my house?

The house drain inside your home is connected to your house sewer pipe underneath your front yard. Your sinks, toilets, showers, and washing machine each have their own branch line drains. These branch lines connect to your main house drain at some point. If your main house drain becomes clogged, all of the other drains in the house can back up.

Where to clean out sewer lines?

The clean-out is a short pipe, or a special Tee type fitting attached to a drain pipe. It is usually found in the yard, the basement, or crawlspace. A drain clean-out is usually required at every bend, change in direction, and before your house drain exits your home. Your clean-out can sometimes be located outside your home. You can try to check it yourself, but use caution. Outside sewer access pits can be deep, have broken steps, or pose a slip hazard.

How to check sewer backup?

Watch out for unusual sounds or odd behavior from your plumbing fixtures, beginning on the lowest level of your home. Sewer backups begin at the clog and move upstream. Therefore, the drains on the lowest level are usually the first to experience issues. Check the following: 1 Toilet: The toilet is where sewer problems usually first appear. You may have a problem with your main sewer drain if your toilet does not flush properly, or if you hear the toilet gurgling when water is running down the drains for your sink, bathtub, or washing machine. 2 Shower: If you think you have a main sewer drain clog, see if the shower drain is backed up. If the backup is significant, tubs and showers may start to fill with wastewater. 3 Bathroom sink: If you have a sewer problem, you may see the water level in the toilet rise or hear it gurgle when you run water in your bathroom sink. 4 Laundry room: Another sign of a sewer clog may occur when you use your washing machine. Water draining from the washing machine may back up into the shower, or cause your toilet to overflow.#N#Frequent Drain Backups

What happens if your main drain is clogged?

If your main house drain becomes clogged, all of the other drains in the house can back up. That’s what makes a clog in the sewer main drain such a serious problem.

How to tell if a sewer drain is clogged?

One of the most visible signs of a sewer drain clog is when multiple plumbing fixtures become backed up at one time . The toilet is often the first to show signs of trouble, as it is a lower lying plumbing fixture, as is a tub or shower drain. But any other plumbing fixture can also back up. Check the toilet first, then the other plumbing fixtures ...

Where do sewer backups begin?

Sewer backups begin at the clog and move upstream. Therefore, the drains on the lowest level are usually the first to experience issues. Check the following: Toilet: The toilet is where sewer problems usually first appear. You may have a problem with your main sewer drain if your toilet does not flush properly, ...

Where are clean outs located?

Therefore, clean-outs are usually present when a vertical drain connects to a horizontal drain (known as a stack). Small clean-outs are also usually located under every sink, and floor or area drain.