Signs the problem is the main line
One slow drain is a fixture clog. These signs point to the line that carries everything out of the house. Until we get there, use as little water as you can, and see emergency plumbing if sewage is coming up into the house. If the camera shows the line itself has failed rather than blocked, see sewer line repair and sewer line replacement.
- More than one fixture backs up at once
- Water comes up in the lowest drain
- Flushing makes the tub or shower gurgle
- A sewage smell inside or in the yard
- Soggy ground over the line
- Backups get worse after heavy rain
How we clear a main line
We find where the blockage is before we decide how to clear it. Worth reading first: main line or septic tank, how to tell.
Open the cleanout
We clear the main line through the cleanout, which reaches the whole run without going through a toilet.
Camera the main line
A camera shows whether it was roots, grease, a sag or a broken pipe, and exactly where. You can watch it with us.
Jet or repair the main line
Grease and roots get jetted out. Broken or collapsed pipe gets located for a targeted sewer line repair.
Tell you if it is the septic
We don't pump septic tanks. If the line is clear all the way to a full tank, we tell you so you can call a septic pumping company.
Why main lines back up on the Shore
Most homes outside town are on septic, and the line out to the tank takes the most wear.
Roots
Tree roots find the joints in older clay and cast iron lines running out to the road or the tank.
A full or failing septic system
A tank overdue for pumping, or a drain field that can't take water, shows up as slow drains before anything backs up.
No cleanout
Some older homes have no accessible cleanout, which makes a main line clog harder to reach. We can add one.
Guaranteed in writing
2-year workmanship
Our guarantee on the labor, on every job we do.
Manufacturer warranty
Passed through to you in full on everything we install.
100% satisfaction
If it is not right, we come back and make it right.
Questions We Get Asked About Main Line Clogs
What people ask when every drain in the house backs up.
How much does it cost to clear a main line?
Clearing a main line through the cleanout typically runs $300 to $600. Jetting a line with grease or roots is usually $450 to $900, and adding a cleanout where there isn't one runs $400 to $1,200. You get the price before any work starts, and our drain cleaning cost guide has the full breakdown.
How soon can you come out?
Often the same day, and usually within the week. We work 8:00am to 9:00pm, seven days a week, so evening and weekend visits count too. Book online or call (757) 824-9862 for a time.
What happens when you get there?
We open the cleanout, clear the line with a cable and run a camera to see what caused it. If it is roots or grease we can jet it. If the pipe is broken, or the line is clear to a full septic tank, we show you and explain your options.
Should I try to clear a main line clog myself?
We don't recommend it. A rented machine in a main line can get stuck or damage old pipe, and chemical cleaners do nothing for roots and are bad for a septic system.
Can you inspect the main line before clearing it?
Yes. A camera inspection shows what is in the line and where, including roots and breaks, before anyone decides on a fix. It typically runs $250 to $500 and is often credited if we go on to do the repair it finds.
Other clogs we clear
- Clogged toilet: Won't flush, rising water, backups
- Clogged kitchen sink: Grease, food waste, and disposals
- Clogged bathroom sink: Hair, soap, and slow drains
- Clogged bathtub drain: Standing water and slow tubs
- Clogged shower drain: Hair, sand, and pooling water
- Dishwasher not draining: Water left in the tub or sink
- Washing machine drain: Standpipe overflows and backups
- Clogged floor drain: Garages, laundry rooms, and kitchens
- Every drain backing up: Main line clog or septic
Explore related services
- Common clogs we clear on the Eastern Shore
- Emergency plumbing on the Eastern Shore
- Sewer line repair on the Eastern Shore
- Sewer line replacement and installation on the Shore
- Every Drain at Once: Is It the Main Line or the Septic Tank?
- Sewer line installation, repair, and replacement
- What the Shore says about us
- One membership. Every plumbing system in your house, looked after
- Plumbers who actually live on the Eastern Shore
- How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
- Clogged toilet repair on the Eastern Shore
- Clogged kitchen sink and garbage disposal repair
- Clogged bathroom sink repair
- Clogged bathtub drain repair
- Clogged shower drain repair
- Dishwasher not draining? Clogged dishwasher drain repair
- Washing machine drain backing up
- Clogged floor drain cleaning
Ready for a steady hand?
Book with our team, or call us seven days a week from 8am to 9pm.
Call (757) 824-9862