Where are most sewer cleanouts located?

Remember that the most common locations for the cleanout are along the main sewer or septic line and near bathrooms. It is typically near your home’s foundation. As long as you search those areas, you can find the hidden pipe. In some rare cases, the sewer cleanout may be buried.

Can a cleanout be horizontal?





Cleanouts are required for horizontal drainage piping (see Figure 707.4). For long runs of piping, a cleanout is required every 100 feet. This measurement is taken from the highest end of the horizontal drainage piping to the point of connection with the building sewer.

What does my sewer cleanout look like?

A sewer cleanout is generally, but not always located outside a bathroom. You’ll recognize it as a black or white, three- to four-inch capped pipe. Since cleanouts aren’t needed often, yours may be covered by bushes, underbrush or grass.

How do I unclog my basement sewer line?

Try a Plunger: A minor clog should clear after a few strong pumps with a plunger. Place the plunger cup so it completely covers the drain opening, and then go for it! Baking Soda & Vinegar: Plunger didn’t do the trick? Try pouring baking soda down the drain, then chase it with a healthy amount of white vinegar.

How do you plumb a cleanout?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And what we're using is a tea that's cut in half that will just clamp right on to the top of the pipe. And allow us to have a good connection. No leaking and we'll bring a riser up to the top.

What is a two way cleanout?





An opening in pipes or sewers designed for rodding or working a snake into the pipe in either direction. Two-way cleanouts are most often found in building lateral pipes at or near a property line.

Can you tie a drain into a cleanout?

You may tie into the drain line through that cleanout providing you still retain a cleanout of the same size. Begin by removing the cap and thoroughly cleaning the femal threads of the existing cleanout with a wire brush.

Where does my basement drain go?

Your basement floor drain is located at the lowest point of your basement, and its job is to direct any water safely away from the house and to the sewer system or municipal storm drain system. This keeps your basement floor dry and prevents flooding, which may damage personal belongings.

How do I know if my basement drain is clogged?

The most telltale sign of a main line sewer drain clog is water backing up out of the basement floor.



Listen to your home:

  1. Gurgling noises in your drains or toilet.
  2. Sewer odor.
  3. Water back up or flooding.
  4. Sewage back up.



Why is my basement drain backing up when it rains?

When there are heavy rains or rapid snowmelt, an abundance of water and debris end up in municipal sanitary sewers, which overloads the sewer system. If it’s more water than the sewer system can handle, excess water can flow backward into your home’s sewer line and subsequently overflow into your basement.

Does a sewer line have to be straight?

You should design your wastewater pipes in a similar manner, for the most part. It’s a bad plumbing practice to have a hard 90-degree bend in a horizontal drain line that’s buried in a slab or otherwise hidden.

Why do you need a two-way cleanout?



Most modern homes already have a sewer cleanout installed, but some older homes don’t. A two-way sewer cleanout differs from other cleanouts because it allows hydro jets and drain snakes access to both sides of the pipe—the side going into your home and the side going into your septic tank or the municipal sewers.

What is a one way cleanout?

A one-way cleanout gives access in only one direction. A two-way cleanout has a U-shape and allows access in two directions, toward the yard and the house lines.

How does a drain cleanout work?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: They typically have a removable threaded cap with the square fitting that accommodates a wrench. When a sewer back up into a home occurs.

How do you unclog a drain cleanout?

Steps For How to Clear A Main Sewer Line Clog

  1. Loosen the Drain Pipe Cap (Cleanout Pipe) The first step is to find your main drain cleanout location. …
  2. Remove Cap, Allow Build-Up to Drain. Once you remove the cleanout cap, step away quickly. …
  3. Insert the Snake into Pipe. …
  4. Run the Tool Until Clog Is Gone. …
  5. Clean Up.



What is a drain cleanout?

What is a drain cleanout? A drain cleanout provides access to your main sewer line and is located outside of your home in the front or back yard. Cleanouts typically go unnoticed until there is a problem. They look like capped pipes sticking a few inches above the ground.

Should sewer cleanout be capped?

Make sure your clean out cap is on.



It allows access to the sewer line in case there’s a problem. It’s usually located somewhere between your residence and the street. The cleanout cap is simply the part that keeps it covered.

Is my main sewer line clogged?

Some signs that your main sewer line is clogged include:

  • Water Backing Up in Your Toilet or Sink. One of the first signs there’s a problem with the main sewage line is water backing up in the sink or toilet. …
  • Slow Drains. …
  • Funky Smells. …
  • Flooded Yard.