Blocked sewer pipe: HELP!!!!!?

Question

me and hubby have a blocked sewer pipe. our bath & shower get blocked up all the times due to the main sewer pipe being extremely blocked. We both went to the main pipe and the water its all the way up. Its been like this for about a week now. We've used about 10 tubs of caustic soda but nothing. My husband took the wet vacuum cleaner to suck out the water (which was heaps and heaps...) and then put caustic soda down with hot water but nothing (our pipe are terracotta ones). We had the exact same problem about 3 months ago but cleared it then.

What else is there to do???? A plumber yes, but prices TOO HIGH!

Answer 1

The tree root problem is right on and they do bust.  Here's a thought.  If you hire a plumber and he breaks your pipes, he's responsible.  If you run a snake through and bust a pipe. . .happy digging.  Sometimes it's just cheaper to call a plumber.  It isn't a big deal for a plumber to run a good snake through that will take out the roots.  Watch what he is doing.  When he pulls out the snake, he should be able to show you roots and chewed up stuff.  If not, your pipes could be broke.  My sister has the root problem and if you have ficus trees near terracotta pipes, I guarantee you have roots in your pipes.  The roots actually grew through her bathroom wall and came out on the inside of the bathroom.  Those trees are terribly invasive.  I used to think they were very pretty. . .no more.  Shop around for a plumber.  Some are much less than others. . .especially if they don't have to dig and you already have a clean out available.  My sister didn't want to get rid of the d*mn tree so when they pulled out roots, she just had him put in a convenient clean out and when it backs up he comes for about $90 and reams them out again with a huge boring thing just made for the job.  Good luck.

Oh yea. . .there is root killer you can buy but I'm not sure how effective it is.  My sister decided her plumber is cheaper.

Answer 2

Clay tiles are notorious for this problem. The question is whether they are collapsed or blocked. The roto-rooter, or snake, is the first place to start to at least get it flowing again. On keeping it from being blocked they are especially prone to being infiltrated by tree roots and if the pipes are not crushed this should be something you regularly attack. There are products available to flush down the drain that destroy the roots. I would try Root-b-Gone. It is basically just copper sulfate and it just plain KILLS the roots. The crushing problem is one that at this point can only be fixed by replacement. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Go to a tool rental place and rent an electric snake.  If you have access to the pipe, you should be able to clear it out yourself for a lot less than calling a plumber.