Septic or Public Sewer System

• Chemicals can be used to help clean out sewer lines in the home that are connected to a public sewage system. Drain opener products break down sewage stuck in the system in about 30 minutes. The drain opener is then flushed with hot water. Chemicals cannot be used in septic systems. These systems require treatment by adding microorganisms that eat and break down sewage. If the sewer lines running to a septic system are blocked, using equipment is the only solution.
  
  

Toilet Auger

• A toilet auger cleans out sewer lines with a 3- to 6-foot flexible cord inserted into the toilet bowl. The tool has a protective cover to avoid scratching the porcelain in the toilet bowl. A hand crank is used to move the cord through the sewage line, breaking up and pushing blockages in its path.
  
  

Pipe Snake

• A pipe snake is a tool used by most plumbers to clean the length of the sewer line. Similar in design to a toilet auger, a pipe snake uses a long, flexible coiled cord with a small attachment on the end to move through and clean debris out of the sewer line. Pipe snakes can range in size from 25 to 100 feet in length. The pipe snake is inserted into the sewer line, and its flexible metal coil is either moved by turning a handle manually or by electricity through the sewer line.
  
  

Water-Jet Attachment

• There are hose attachments specially made to clean out sewer lines. These water-jet attachments generate a high-powered spray that clears out blockages and cleans the walls of the sewer line. Water-jet attachments designed for sewer lines spray water forward and out of the sides of the head attachment to clean out the sewer line.