My Sewer Pipe Is Clogged With Cement-Like Material

Causes

• If you put items such as eggshells or chicken bones into your garbage disposal, or put any kind of grease or oil down the disposal, these items can mix together into a type of cement in your pipes. Ultimately, this cement will plug your sewer pipes and you'll need to hire a professional to unclog the pipes. Sewer pipe clogs of this nature can't usually be unclogged with snakes, plungers or other tools you may have at home.

Camera Inspection

• Use a video camera to determine what's clogging your sewer. Professional technicians do this as well. By running a video camera down your sewer line, you can see exactly what's clogging your sewer. The problem may be roots from trees or plants as well as any garbage you put down the garbage disposal. Once you see what's down there, you can determine whether you can unclog it yourself or if you need professional help.

Roots and Branches

• If roots and branches are creating cement-like material in your sewer pipes, you may be able to handle the problem yourself. However, removing the roots you can see is often not enough to solve the problem. You have to scrape all the roots off of the inside of the pipe to stop them from growing back after you remove them. If you aren't sure how to do this, consult a professional plumber.

Drain Cable

• If your sewer pipes are clogged with any type of material, you can try putting a drain cable down the main line to clear the clog. You need to rent a sectional machine to do this. The machine controls how far you put the cable down the pipe. If the cable gets snagged on roots or branches, you won't be able to clear it this way and need professional assistance. However, this kind of cable can pull up cement-like clogs.