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Drain pipes carry wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers, and other fixtures to the main sewer line. They’re typically located within the walls and floors and beneath a home’s foundation. Meanwhile, sewer pipes transport collected wastewater to a septic tank or a municipal sewer system.

If you're dealing with a clogged sink drain, you may be able to avoid removing the drain by using a plunger to dislodge the clog. While we associate plungers with toilets, they can do the same job with your sink drain. Be gentle, though, as forceful movements can push clogs further into your plumbing system and make them more difficult to remove. Additionally, make sure you’re using a sink plunger—with a flat bottom—and not a toilet plunger—which has a smaller bottom protruding from the larger flat piece.

There are several common signs that your main sewer line may be clogged. Key indicators include multiple fixtures in your home draining slowly, gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilets, and water backing up into showers, sinks, or toilets. You might also notice water backing up from the plumbing system's drain cleanout, water in your basement drain, or unexplained wet patches on your lawn. Foul odors, such as the smell of raw sewage or rotten eggs, are another common symptom. The most reliable way to confirm a main sewer line clog is to hire a professional plumber to perform a camera inspection.

Your sewer line can get grimy quickly. To prevent sludge buildup in your sewer line, pour a mixture of 1/3 cup of vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda down each drain in your home once a month. After about 30 minutes, flush the drain with hot water.

Some plumbers recommend 3/4 cup of bleach instead to clean any germs and bacteria that may build up in your sewer line. But this won’t break down any active clogs, and it cannot be combined with vinegar, as the mixture will create a toxic, hazardous gas.