From gurgling or overflowing toilets to multiple slow drains, numerous signs indicate a clogged sewer line. Plumbers address sewer line concerns by accessing the sewer line cleanout, a direct access point to your system that allows them to reach clogs under your home’s foundation or underground near the municipal sewer line. Understanding how a sewer line works and how to locate your sewer line cleanout point may help minimize or prevent future plumbing problems.
What is a Sewer Line Cleanout?
A sewer line cleanout is a pipe that functions as an access point for your home’s sewer system, primarily for sewer line cleaning, unclogging, and maintenance. By providing direct access to the sewer line, cleanouts allow your plumber to clear clogs without invasive procedures. They can also use the cleanout to troubleshoot for other plumbing problems, such as slow-draining fixtures, low water pressure, and leaks.
Cleanouts are usually made of white or black ABS plastic and are generally available in 3, 4, or 6-inch diameters. Older homes may have brass or cast iron drain cleanouts instead. While brass or copper drainage lines are rare, it’s important to know the different types you may encounter as you search for and identify cleanouts.
Why you need to know where your cleanout is
A sewer cleanout comes with several benefits, but you won’t be able to take advantage of them unless you can locate the cleanout. These benefits include:
- Blockage prevention: Access to a cleanout allows for quick removal of debris and buildup before it escalates into a major blockage.
- Ease of maintenance: Direct access points to the sewer lines via the cleanout simplify maintenance and drain cleaning, reducing labor costs and minimizing inconvenience.
- Minimized damage: Using a sewer line may help detect potential issues or respond to emergencies quickly, minimizing potential damage to your plumbing system.
- Backflow protection: Should a major sewer line clog occur, the cleanout works as a drain for excess water and prevents sewer backup from flooding your home.
- Landscape preservation: While excavation is sometimes unavoidable, a sewer cleanout allows for easy repair access and keeps your landscaping intact.
Types of Sewer Cleanouts
There are two main types of sewer cleanouts.
One-way sewer cleanouts allow for access in one direction. Usually located at the end of sewer lines, one-way cleanouts provide a single entry point for maintenance and diagnostic services. However, they only allow for maintenance from one side so you can only access blockages downstream from the cleanout. An upstream blockage would require a different access point.
Two-way cleanouts provide access to the sewer line in both directions, upstream and downstream. This type is versatile and especially useful in complex plumbing systems since they offer flexibility for access points. Often located in basements, utility areas, or at property lines, two-way cleanouts are usually U-shaped and installed between converging lines.
Where to Look for Your Sewer Cleanout
Sewer cleanouts can be located throughout your property but some locations are more common than others.
Finding an indoor sewer cleanout
Homes in cold climates like Boise are more likely to have cleanouts inside the house, protected from freezing temperatures. To find an indoor cleanout, follow the drain lines from your toilet, sink, or other fixture or appliance to the main sewer line. Indoor sewer cleanouts are usually installed before the line reaches the foundation, on a T- or Y-shaped pipe fitting. They usually have a threaded plug and a square nut and may be marked with a small plastic cap or an access label.
Cleanouts aren’t always on the main sewer line. Check your drainage pipes throughout your home, particularly in areas with appliances or fixtures such as:
- Basements
- Laundry or utility rooms
- Bathrooms
- Garages
Finding an outdoor sewer cleanout
Sewer cleanouts may be found outside in homes with slab foundations or homes located in warm climates.
Look for the outdoor sewer line cleanout near the municipal sewer line. Check close to the nearest manhole cover or curb that has concrete stamped with the letter S. If you have a septic system, look near the septic tank. Other common locations for sewer cleanouts include in the yard or near the foundation, driveway, or sidewalk.
If the location of the cleanout isn’t obvious, estimate the direction of the drainage pipe by moving in line between the septic tank and your home. Homes served by a municipal wastewater system usually have drain cleanouts along the main line. The drain cleanout pipe should be somewhere in your yard and is usually black or white. Like indoor cleanouts, it’ll likely have a threaded plug and square nut and may be labeled as an access point. If the cleanout still isn’t obvious, move any foliage, lawn decorations, or other items that may be obscuring it. In some cases, grass or debris can bury the cleanout.
Tips for Locating Your Cleanout
Use these tips to aid your search for your cleanout and to keep it easily accessible:
- Check blueprints: Your home’s blueprints or plumbing plans may include cleanout locations.
- Talk to neighbors: If your neighbors’ homes were built around the same time, their cleanouts might be installed in similar locations.
- Mark the cleanout: Once you locate the cleanout, mark it with a flag, labeled cap, or other easily identified signs.
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Cleanout
If you’re still unable to find your cleanout, consult with a licensed plumber. Equipped with professional tools, such as specialized plumbing cameras, they can thoroughly inspect your system to locate the sewer cleanout location.
Call Express Plumbing for Sewer Line Repair and Maintenance
Keep your sewer lines pristine with assistance from the Express Plumbing team, and prevent costly repairs, clean-ups, and more. We provide safe, effective, and non-invasive sewer line repair and replacement as well as flexible financing and other benefits. Contact us or schedule a service online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a sewer cleanout?
Older homes may not have a sewer cleanout at all, which complicates plumbing maintenance and may make it more difficult to prevent blockages or other problems. A plumber can provide advice for a cleanout installation.
How do I know if my sewer line is clogged?
Signs of a clogged sewer line include slow drainage from multiple fixtures, gurgling drain sounds, and unpleasant sewage smells.
How can I identify the main sewer line cleanout versus other cleanouts?
The main sewer line cleanout is usually found closest to the point where the line exits your home and connects to the municipal sewer system. It’s typically larger and more conspicuous than other cleanouts, while other cleanouts may be smaller and hidden behind fixtures or appliances.
