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An active cleaning agent and a drain snake is the best way to clean a main sewer line. You can purchase a regular or enzyme drain cleaner or make a DIY drain cleaner with baking soda. Use your chosen solution at least once a month or as needed to keep your sewer line clear. 

Using less toilet paper is the easiest way to prevent future clogs. Also, avoid flushing sanitary products, thick paper towels, or hair down the toilet. If you’ve been using a brick in the tank to reduce the water used to flush the toilet, take it out immediately. Bricks will eventually fall apart and clog your toilet drain. Keeping your toilet lid closed also helps avoid future clogs.

Outdoor plumbing issues are no less serious or urgent to fix than interior plumbing problems. These problems may require excavation and lawn repair due to the plumbing often being buried underground. The most common outside plumbing problems include:

• Clogged landscape drainage: $200–$1,000

• Clogged sewer lines: $60–$250 per linear foot

• Corroded or rusted pipes: $1,500–$15,000+

• Leaking drain lines: $200–$1,000

• Leaking water mains: $300–$4,000+

• Septic system failure: $600–$3,000+

• Tree roots in pipes: $200–$1,000

• Well pump failure: $350–$1,500

The cost to unclog a drain varies based on the location and severity of the clog. For simple clogs within your home, such as in a sink, toilet, or shower, hiring a plumber typically costs between $110 and $350, with an average of around $200. Snaking a toilet or sink usually costs between $110 and $275, while a bathtub or shower clog costs about $225.

For a more serious clog in the main sewer line, the cost is higher. Clearing a main line clog generally costs between $200 and $600, with an average of about $380. However, prices can range from as low as $100 for snaking a minor clog to over $1,600, particularly if advanced methods like video inspection and hydrojetting are needed for a large or hard-to-reach blockage. Some severe main line clogs can cost upwards of $1,000 to clear depending on factors like the cause of the clog, its distance from an accessible cleanout, and whether the pipe is located beneath an occupied space (e.g., in an apartment building). You may be able to save money on minor clogs by using a drain snake or bladder yourself.