OK, so I have a partial main line clog again (house is 70 years old with cast iron sewer pipe). Last time I called a plumber. This time I am thinking about renting an auger from Home Depot. But, I have a fear of getting the thing stuck. Are these things pretty fail safe and easy to run or do/can they get stuck down in there? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the info. I think I will give it a shot. It's a clog under the house, I am pretty sure, so it's probably not a tree root thank goodness.

Also, I agree with 1990's advice on operating the auger, but if you knew it was shallow, buying a 6' snake is an option. They're easy to use.

How long ago was the last clog? If less than a year get it jetted, there is probably a belly in the line and a bunch of grease that a snake will punch through but not really clear. Having it jetted is worth a couple hundo and some of the companies provide video which can be helpful on an older house. I have also had a lot of success using these to blow out clogs https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Medium-Drain-Bladder-82-976-111/301879205

Replace the line with sch 40 pvc. We did this with a 30 year old house 5 years ago and my only regret is not doing it sooner. F having a stopped up main drain. Best money I ever spent and I wish I would have done it the first time there was an issue.

Thanks for all the responses. When the plumber hit the clog last time, he said it was about 60-70ft in there, so I will need the 75' auger at least.

I think it is probably where a main line branch that picks up the laundry room and kitchen Y's into the main line heading the opposite direction that goes to the street. That section is always fine and handles both bathrooms.

I am pretty sure you are right Mega, when the plumber snaked it the first time I was standing at the cleanout going to the street. He punched through the clog and I could hear the snake banging on the pipe, but the clog still persisted until he went back and forth through it multiple times. He said exactly what you mentioned, that it was bad that I could hear the snake banging around, but the water was not flowing. He said that meant the snake went through what is probably a grease clog and the clog re-closed up behind the auger.

1990Hullaballoo said:

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Your hands will smell bad for a couple of days but DO NOT use a glove that can get caught in the spring (shaft).. Examples that get caught are thick rubber or neoprene, cotton or leather. It will curl you up around it and keep going. You can use thin plastic or neoprene gloves that aren't too tough to tear, but my experience has been if they are easy enough to tear in case they get caught, they won't last very long anyway.

Don't let someone else operate the foot switch. The operator should be the only one in the area.I've had people accidentally step on it and start the machine unexpectedly.

Most have a reverse function, so if it hangs, it should come loose.

If you are concerned about getting stuck, use the smallest bit attachment and work your way bigger as needed.

Good luck and hope it's not a tree root.

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Good advice. I've seen a few folks amputate the tip of a finger with augers, so definitely be careful!

There is a commercial drain cleaner that is magnesium shavings and lye pellets.

If you can find it, this combination gets so hot it melts grease clogs Of course if you have PVC/plastic pipe, you have to keep water running or it will melt your pipe. Don't use on a pipe that is completely clogged and has no flow.

Handle with extreme care! That lye does not take prisoners - Thick neoprene gauntlet gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses/goggles. If you get it on you, it will continue to burn for a while - even with water running over it.

Used this in slaughter/processing plant I used to run.

If it's grease, it will do the trick.

My house was built in 65. The main line from kitchen and laundry plugs once or twice a year. I bought a long pressure washer hose with jet tips kit and use a cheap electric pressure washer and run it down the kitchen clean out couple times a year. Seems to work and buying everything is less than one callout or rental auger. Far easier to do than auger.

I have a Rigid K-380. 100' 3/8" line. Used many times.
I agree with most of the other posters, but I'd add.
Yes use gloves. I prefer the kinda Kevlar ones used for offshore fishing. Still gotta be careful.
Yes, the operator is the only one to operate the knee pad.
Never use reverse, it just tangles up the line.
Use a wobble but, much easier to make any turns or dips.
Oh, get ready for a workout. It'll wear you out fast.

I wouybuy one of these cheap drain cameras of of Amazon before I did anything. That way I would know what I was getting into.

70 year old house with cast iron pipes? Those things are likely toast.

I owned a house that was built in the '50s and one built in '70, both with cast iron pipes. Both I had to replace with PVC prior to selling. Both had foundation issues in Houston.

Do you have foundation issues?

JP76 said:

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rab4225 said:

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My house was built in 65. The main line from kitchen and laundry plugs once or twice a year. I bought a long pressure washer hose with jet tips kit and use a cheap electric pressure washer and run it down the kitchen clean out couple times a year. Seems to work and buying everything is less than one callout or rental auger. Far easier to do than auger.

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This is the answer


https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Cleaner-Wrenches-Waterproof-5800PSI/dp/B0DDBXJHWW/ref=mp_s_a_1_18_maf_2?crid=2JHPAUM6VH8SA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zQLk-OfV9JqCs9cTsiOS1bWdZe-Mg6k4TP0BeJJR5uQM_vyFsxXWVB2RJfQEXQEOkLBE-q438tuTFcF2oXL7BnpvdwYoQ_J4y_BWaoj37HoR1aOY-kYFO7FohYeLvigIm1hAiH16h-Ynt_FyWCGpBPgb_5Sbh-RZ_pqccCTE1VtL4bJ5WGSO5ahoARuA9vuhqW5MHqGwflVmH4AqubHsIA.nuGAx3_XHDgwWNbx1BNEXkPXiwjqoLbgGEhl4jRnamo&dib_tag=se&keywords=pressure%2Bwasher%2Bsewer%2Bjetter%2Bkit&qid=1745297005&sprefix=pressure%2Beasher%2Bsewer%2B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-18&th=1&psc=1


If you have never ran an auger then you can get hurt really quick. $200-$300 is not worth losing a finger over

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I was always going to try this with my problem sewer line, however I found that the bladder and the garden hose worked well to solve my occasional problems. So I never used the pressure washer jetter, but I would try that if needed before I messed with an auger. However sometimes the auger is the only solution.

rab4225 said:

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My house was built in 65. The main line from kitchen and laundry plugs once or twice a year. I bought a long pressure washer hose with jet tips kit and use a cheap electric pressure washer and run it down the kitchen clean out couple times a year. Seems to work and buying everything is less than one callout or rental auger. Far easier to do than auger.

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This is the way. I have a 70s house with cast iron pipes and the pressure washer jet tip system works amazing.

JP76 said:

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rab4225 said:

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My house was built in 65. The main line from kitchen and laundry plugs once or twice a year. I bought a long pressure washer hose with jet tips kit and use a cheap electric pressure washer and run it down the kitchen clean out couple times a year. Seems to work and buying everything is less than one callout or rental auger. Far easier to do than auger.

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This is the answer


https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Cleaner-Wrenches-Waterproof-5800PSI/dp/B0DDBXJHWW/ref=mp_s_a_1_18_maf_2?crid=2JHPAUM6VH8SA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zQLk-OfV9JqCs9cTsiOS1bWdZe-Mg6k4TP0BeJJR5uQM_vyFsxXWVB2RJfQEXQEOkLBE-q438tuTFcF2oXL7BnpvdwYoQ_J4y_BWaoj37HoR1aOY-kYFO7FohYeLvigIm1hAiH16h-Ynt_FyWCGpBPgb_5Sbh-RZ_pqccCTE1VtL4bJ5WGSO5ahoARuA9vuhqW5MHqGwflVmH4AqubHsIA.nuGAx3_XHDgwWNbx1BNEXkPXiwjqoLbgGEhl4jRnamo&dib_tag=se&keywords=pressure%2Bwasher%2Bsewer%2Bjetter%2Bkit&qid=1745297005&sprefix=pressure%2Beasher%2Bsewer%2B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-18&th=1&psc=1


If you have never ran an auger then you can get hurt really quick. $200-$300 is not worth losing a finger over

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My house was built in 1920, still has about 25 feet of cast. I simply cannot afford to replace it, it would be a monumental job due to its location and other factors. I use the quoted device 3x year to clear the line of any clogs and roots at the joint of pvc to cast. Takes about 30 minutes to do the job and seems to work fine for my needs.

Thanks for all the replies. I like the idea of the sewer jetter. However, I do have a couple of questions:

1.) Will that sewer jetter actually wind it's way through bends well? My cleanout is 2-3 inches horizontal into a wall, then elbows 90 degrees vertical down and then there is some sort of junction/bend to the right. I know I cannot get a water hose past the bottom junction to the right.

2.) What is the chance the sewer jetter knocks off crap all the way to the clog (estimate 60' to clog) and then that stuff flows down to the clog and completely blocks it so the jetter won't go through? I did this with a 25' snake the last time - I ran that down into the pipe and it knocked off enough junk that it turned my 80% clog into a 100% clog. That's when I called a plumber.

Maybe run the jetter down to where you "feel" the clog and clear that first then work your way backwards. Then forward to push out whatever breaks loose. I would work as much distance as you can.

1. Yes, just make get a kit that comes with a hose. They are a lot more flexible than a standard pressure washer hose.

2. Can you access from downstream? I busted out my most recent cleanout from upstream, and while it worked, tons of crap came up out of the cleanout. Luckily it was outside so no issues. If I had gone in from downstream everything would have flowed down to the sewer.

Have rented an auger and used it without incident being careful with leather gloves for our older home.

Just ordered the pressure washer jet hose listed above. Figure it will also work on my in ground surface drains and gutters.

While on the page these gloves came up for Augers and seemed to get really good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/ShuBee-Ugly-Gloves-Safety-Cuff/dp/B00CW1SUQG/ref=pd_lutyp_sim_d_sccl_4_4/135-7860882-4272749?pd_rd_w=TWjZU&content-id=amzn1.sym.b8b868ca-6e8c-4d73-baee-a5f1d4790b6a&pf_rd_p=b8b868ca-6e8c-4d73-baee-a5f1d4790b6a&pf_rd_r=Q2729FQZR7X0WH65V57N&pd_rd_wg=wlpV1&pd_rd_r=273a9e09-1fdb-4217-8e6c-f283694c2f61&pd_rd_i=B00CW1SUQG&th=1

I got a harbor freight auger. I forget the tip I upgraded to but that made a big difference.

Do be careful though, I didn't (luckily) have any close calls with losing fingers but I did have it hit roots pretty early in the pipe and pop back out the clean out. If that tip had been able to hit me at any place on my body I'd have had needed stitches at minimum and if it hit me in the head then I'd likely be dead

Following this. I don't mind paying a plumber to do it, but struggle with the time to get them on the job.

And this is why I did it. I could pay a plumber or buy the tools and risk life and limb. Guess I'm stingy and would rather learn myself.

Did have a job with 100's of feet of old pipe until it hit the sewer and needed to clear it out plus give video of it being clear for the buyer. The water jet from a professional was very easy and cleaned it the cleanest since install

I'm in fast food and when a used depends goes down the toilet things get nasty fast. I've watched my plumber many times and it's a straight shot under the parking lot.

You know over the years, I'd bet I've spent $10-$15 dollars on women's bathroom to every dollar spent on men's side. Women are rough on equipment.

rab4225 said:

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My house was built in 65. The main line from kitchen and laundry plugs once or twice a year. I bought a long pressure washer hose with jet tips kit and use a cheap electric pressure washer and run it down the kitchen clean out couple times a year. Seems to work and buying everything is less than one callout or rental auger. Far easier to do than auger.

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My house was built in 70. One bathroom still has a metal soil pipe and it clogs all the time. I may try this. What tips did you use?

Tried out the better thing from above that I bought today. Not really very impressed. It just doesn't move enough water volume to really do much. My electric power washer isn't the biggest beast but really the tiny little holes on the letter heads aren't going to move much.

Think I'm going to return the 65 dollar one and by the one the was 25. I can see some uses for it, but they all look the same and I doubt the difference in price is worth it.

Just checking hoping not to find any posts from the ER.