Get matched with top sewer cleaners in Broken Bow, NE

Snaking a toilet is similar to clearing sinks and bathtubs, but there are unique circumstances where you’d have to drain, disassemble, and remove the toilet to fix the clog. For stubborn clogs in the toilet trap, a toilet auger—designed with a shorter cable and a protective plastic encasing—can navigate the tight bends and clear the clog without risking damage to the porcelain. 

A sewer line should be cleaned at least once every 18 to 22 months. The process takes about 30 minutes or up to 5 hours, depending on the size of the line, how easy it is to access, and how long it’s been since the previous cleaning. If your sewer line hasn’t been cleaned in a couple of years or you don’t even know the last time it’s been cleaned, it’s time to call a pro.

It is generally safe to stay in a house that smells like sewage for a short time, but you should get the problem fixed as soon as possible. While the level of sewer gas is usually low enough to only cause minor symptoms, prolonged inhalation can lead to headaches, nausea, or respiratory irritation. High levels of gas exposure can be more dangerous, and high concentrations of methane—a component of sewer gas—can pose an explosion risk in enclosed spaces. If you smell sewer gas in your home, ventilate the area and call a professional to locate, assess, and fix the problem, as it will not go away on its own.

Cat pee has a strong ammonia-like smell, so if you smell cat pee but don’t have a cat or don’t suspect your cat has any accidents, there could be other issues at hand. Aside from pet urine, your house may smell like cat pee from leaking freon from an old fridge, mold, spilled cleaning supplies, or even outside odors from nearby farms.