Is there a simple man's fix for a main pipe clog?

[Knoxtnhorn 6290]

This happened 3 months ago.  The plumber took all of 5 mins to fix it for X amount of money to fix it.

The main pipe between the house and the street is stopped up causing water to flow back out of our downstairs toilet when using water anywhere else in the house.  

I got the cap off in the front yard.  The clog was not bad enough to cause any type of pressure release when the cap was opened which tells me it could be a small issue.  Problem is that, of course, the snake I have is only about 5 feet long and the clog could be anywhere between our house and the street. FWIW, the sewer water level is about a foot below the top of the cap.

Would pouring a bottle of liquid Drano do anything?  Any other ideas?  

 

[Updawg 2384]

You could go rent or buy a longer snake from home Depot.
You can also buy cameras fairly cheap now to see what's going on

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4999]

They have a balloon thing that screws onto your water hose that will expand to fill the pipe so water won't flow backwards and then use water pressure to clear the pipe out. May not work if it is just a restriction and not clogged.

[Not that Bob 743]

Drain King. Saved my bacon until tree roots took over. 

[South Austin 53220]

Enema.

[Jkwellborn 7032]

Rent a snake. Like your mom does

 

[luke duke 6449]

Ask your neighbor, if he isn’t too busy installing a washing machine.

[BottleRocket 659]

$26 from Amazon


General Pipe Cleaners R-25SM Spin Thru Drain Auger with 1/4-Inch by 25-Feet Cable

[midtown 3354]

You might have a crack in your main line where the roots are growing through.  If that's the case.  Take all the suggestions above and shove them up your ass because that would feel better than what is about to happen.

[Paper_jam 851]

Maybe you can purge it with a maximum flow of wastewater...turn on all your faucets & tub spouts, station a friend or family member at each commode, and do a synchronized flush. Maybe that will build enough pressure behind the clog to break it loose.

This may cause some flooding at the first floor commode you mentioned so be ready for that.

Disclaimer: I'm not a plumber and I'm not responsible for any damage, costs, or injuries directly or indirectly resulting from anything I've said in this post. But if you try it, please post a video.

 

 

[George 493]

Can you see down into the cleanout? If it’s full of shit then the blockage is down stream. No shit, upstream. Might help you aim the snake. 

If it is roots, they have a head that will cut through them, but it could turn into a big problem if/when the pipe gets fully crushed/destroyed. I’ve got a rent house that I’m just waiting for that to happen with. 

[Knoxtnhorn 6290]

Thanks for all the advice.  Gonna rent one of the 50-footers from Home Depot - $25.  I'm about 99% sure it's not a root issue.  When the plumber came out 3 months ago, the clog was a wad of paper towels.  We had guests at the time and I think the kid was flushing them for some reason.  There are no trees anywhere between our house and the street.

[BottleRocket 659]

Wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a smock because that can get nasty pulling the snake back in.  Poo flinging spectacular.  A poo flinging war in which you are certainly the looser.  Shit-tastic.  Poo-rific.  Enjoy.

[Knoxtnhorn 6290]

Got it done.  Much easier than I thought because the clog was not root related.  Thx for all the help.

[Jkwellborn 7032]

Did your bull leave condoms while you were gone? He should know you can’t flush those.