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Drain De-Clogging: how to use a Power Snake SepticAPedia © Guide to how to diagnose a blocked main building drain How to use a power snake to clear a blocked main building drain to sewer or septic tank Step by step main drain line replacement, house to septic tank (or sewer)

This article describes when, where, how, and why a sewer pipe or "drain line" is replaced. The line which was replaced in this photo-illustrated case runs from the building exterior to a septic tank located downhill from the home. We present an actual case study, illustrated with photos of each step in the diagnosis and replacement of a blocked sewer line. The waste line in this case was found to be blocked, damaged, old, and needing replacement in the course of an attempt to clear a blocked drain between the house and septic tank. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References." This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. Also see Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains.

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Where to insert the power plumbing snake when clearing a blocked line

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SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
  Diagnosing a Blocked Drain
  When to Call a Plumber
  How to Locate the Main Building Drain
  How to Use a Power Snake on Building Drains
  How to Find Distance to Drain Blockage
  Determining Need for Replacement
  Replacing the Sewer Line, Step by Step
  Making Other Septic Repairs
  Installing the new sewer line
  Bedding the sewer line in Sand
  Final Backfill of the Sewer Line Trench
  Documenting Buried Components
  Final seeding and soil restoration

• Thanks to Thomas Gleason, excavators, Poughkeepsie, NY 845-454-3730, for the excavating work at the project photo documented here in September 2006
• Thanks to Cleveland Plumbing, the prime plumbing contractor, Staatsburgh, NY 845-485-7700 for the plumbing work and drain clog diagnosis work documented here in September 2006

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains - key step in septic repair
• HOW TO FIND A SEPTIC TANK
• DRAINFIELD LOCATION GUIDE
• SEPTIC VIDEOS assist in locating septic system or sewer line components
  
  
• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
• Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
• What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
• Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment

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