Clogged drains: what to try first, and when it is the main line
A single slow drain is usually a local clog: hair in the tub, grease and food in the kitchen line, too much paper in a toilet. Several slow drains at once is a different problem.
Last reviewed October 30, 2026 against the sources listed below. General information, not insurance or legal advice.
One drain or many?
If only one sink or tub is slow, the clog is in that fixture's trap or branch line. If the toilet gurgles when the washing machine drains, or water comes up in the tub when you flush, the blockage is probably in the main drain or the sewer line outside. Stop using water and read sewer line problems.
Try these first
- Plunger. Use a cup plunger for sinks and tubs and a flange plunger for toilets. Cover the overflow hole on a sink or tub so the pressure goes down the drain.
- Clean the stopper and trap. Pull the tub or sink stopper and clear the hair. Under a sink, put a bucket under the U-shaped trap, unscrew the slip nuts and clean it out.
- Drain snake. A small hand auger reaches clogs past the trap.
- Hot water. The EPA's septic guidance suggests boiling water or a snake instead of chemical openers. Do not pour boiling water into a porcelain toilet bowl or plastic pipe that is already full.
Why not chemical drain cleaner?
Caustic openers can burn skin and eyes, and they make the job dangerous for the plumber if they do not work. On a septic system, the EPA says they can kill the bacteria the tank relies on.
What not to put down the drain in Newberry
The City of Newberry says fats, oils and grease clog gravity sewer lines and pump stations, and that only pee, poo and toilet paper should be flushed. Its list of things never to flush includes wet wipes, even those labeled "flushable," baby wipes and diapers, paper towels, medications, cat litter and plastics. The Newberry County Water & Sewer Authority's sewer use ordinance also prohibits discharging grease and solids that can block its lines.
Pour cooled grease into a can or jar and put it in the trash, and scrape plates before washing.
Call a plumber when
- More than one fixture is slow or backing up.
- Sewage odor or water appears at a floor drain or cleanout.
- The same drain clogs again within weeks; there may be a sagging line, roots or a broken pipe that a camera inspection will show.
Frequently asked questions
Are flushable wipes safe to flush in Newberry?
No. The City of Newberry says wet wipes, even those labeled flushable, should never be flushed because they tangle into clogs that jam pumps and block pipes.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner?
It is better not to. The EPA recommends boiling water or a drain snake instead, especially on a septic system, and caustic cleaners can injure you or a plumber.
Policies vary. Check your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about anything that affects your claim. Rules can change; this page reflects the sources below as of October 30, 2026. NewberrySCPlumbing.com is not a plumber, insurer, adjuster or law firm.
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