The sewer clean-out is a pipe or pipes with a cap that enables access to the sewer line to remove obstructions. The lateral sewer line connects your residence to the main public sewer system. Typically, the location of the sewer cleanout is along the lateral sewer line.
What is a Sewer Cleanout?
The sewage clean-out is a pipe or pipes with a cap that enables access to the sewer line to remove obstructions. The lateral sewer line connects your residence to the main public sewer system. Typically, the location of the sewer cleanout is along the lateral sewer line.
A sewer cleanout is a vital component of the plumbing and waste disposal system in your home. Every homeowner should be aware of the position of the sewer cleanout, and landlords should ensure that their renters are also aware of the location.
A clog in your property’s sewer systems might be a major problem. It can render inoperable all plumbing fixtures in your home until it is removed, which plumbers can perform using a hydro jet or a sewer auger, or “snake.”
The plumber will need to employ your sewer cleanouts to gain access to the pipes using their auger. When the plumber reaches the cleanout, they will be able to place their monitoring camera for a clear view of the problem.
Do All Households Contain Sewer Cleanouts?
Although it should be a requirement for all homes, a few do not own one. Not only do not all residences have plumbing clean-outs, but the number of those that do is frequently insufficient. Licensed professionals from Augerpros Plumbing can install additional cleanouts in the recommended places, if necessary.
How do I locate the Sewer Cleanout?
Finding the main drain is not always simple. Its placement within a residence will vary based on the home’s architectural design and the local climate. Some will have two upward-extending pipes, while others will have only one. If you reside in Texas, here are some ideas for discovering your main cleanout.
In the DFW region, residences with a slab or pier-and-beam foundation, as well as newer homes and those with newer lawn sewer lines, are required to have a cleanout since 2012, according to the Building Codes.
Unless the lawn sewer pipes have been updated, the lawns of many older homes lack a sewer cleanout. If there is no cleanout in the yard, a plumbing vent pipe on the roof provides access to the sewer.
What if I lack a Sewer Clean Out?
Unless you are living in a home without a plumbing system, it is likely made of cast iron. (It is extremely improbable that a PVC-plumbed home lacked cleanouts as part of the system.)
We do not recommend installing sewer cleanouts on your system IF this is the case. There is no point to install a sewer cleanout on cast iron when the entire system will be replaced and a cleanout will be installed along with it.
How Climate Influences Location
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Depending on the local climate, the location of the cleanout can vary.
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Standard dwellings in cooler climates have drain cleanouts normally positioned within the home.
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Homes with a slab foundation in colder climates may have an exterior drain cleanout, or the cleanout may be positioned in the bathroom, garage, or utility room. If you live in a home with a slab foundation, it may be necessary to inspect both the inside and exterior.
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Typically, homes in warmer climates will have an outside drain cleanout in the yard.
Locating Indoor Sewer Line Cleanouts
There are a few possible locations within your home where your cleanout may be hiding. Grab a flashlight, and we’ll begin. Follow your drain pipes until you reach the main sewage line. All of your bathroom and kitchen fixtures are connected to drainage pipes.
Look for PVC or cast iron pipes that lead away from the appliance that is either black or white. From this point, you can access the main sewage pipe.
Look for a T or Y-shaped pipe with a stopper or cover. If built indoors, the drain cleanout is often positioned on the main sewer line. It should be before the pipes enter the foundation. The cleanout will be attached to a T- or Y-shaped pipe with a threaded plug and square nut. This nut could alternatively have a plastic cap covering it.
Check the bathrooms, utility areas, and garage of your home. Similar to a complete bathroom, the cleanout will be near a cluster of drainage pipes. Check each bathroom for a black or white PVC drain line with a cap. If you cannot find it there, look in the utility room or garage.
Summary:
The Sewer Cleanout is a vital component of the plumbing and waste disposal system in your home. Every homeowner should be aware of the position of the sewer cleanout.
Locating Outdoor Sewer Line Cleanouts
If you cannot locate the exterior cleanout in your home, you should look in the yard:
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Walk to the septic tank or the municipal sewer. The cleanout should be located between your residence and the septic tank. Find the nearest manhole or curb with a huge “S” imprinted in the concrete if you are linked to the city’s sewer system.
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Retrace your steps backward. Once you’ve located your septic tank or manhole, begin retracing your steps back to your residence, checking the ground along the way.
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Move any obstructions. If your property is covered by lawn ornaments, plants, or anything else, the drain cleanout may be concealed.
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If you cannot locate the drain cleanout yourself, you should hire a licensed plumber to assist you.
Using The Sewer Line Cleanout
Your sewage line cleanout can be utilized by plumbers for two essential tasks: (cleaning the sewer line) and a sewer camera examination.
Hydro-jetting
Hydro-jetting is a method for cleaning pipes that is safe, efficient, and adaptable to various pipe materials. Hydro-jetting utilizes a self-propelled nozzle that fires water at up to 4,000 PSI, destroying everything in its path.
The hose is attached to a water tank and a pressure-generating mechanism. Using a cleanout, you can access your pipes. Different impediments require different nozzles for hydro-jetting. Some are for tree roots, but others are used to remove sludge.
Sewer camera inspection
Because it is less invasive, a CCTV sewer inspection allows us to look inside your sewer lines without having to dig up your flooring or tear down your walls. Sewer inspections are excellent for preventative maintenance and can help you identify areas of the pipe that are in danger of rupturing so they can be repaired before they fail. This can save you a substantial amount of money over time.
Fixing A Sewer Pipe
If the problem with your sewage line is more serious than a simple clog, it may be time to repair or replace your pipes. For replacing a sewer line, sewer repair professionals have two options: traditional or trenchless sewer line repair.
7 Signs You Need a Sewer Cleanout
1.Slow-Draining Plumbing
If plumbing throughout your home drains slowly, it may be because the main sewage line is clogged and water is taking a while to drain through it. Check if the toilet empties slowly after you flush it. Also, take a moment to observe other equipment, such as sinks.
If they are draining slowly but not completely clogged, you should not disregard them. The last thing you want is for your sewer system to get severely clogged in the future, which might be avoided by cleaning it out now.
2.Water Surge in Unexpected Locations
If your bathroom or shower becomes clogged, you might anticipate that water will not be able to drain. If waste doesn’t disappear when you flush, your toilet drain is plugged and requires unclogging. What happens if the toilet is flushed and water backs up elsewhere? You have used the toilet upstairs, and water has appeared in the shower downstairs.
This indicates that the water made it someplace, but not all the way. It has backed up from a pipe further down the line, possibly the main sewer line. This is a clear indication that you need to learn how to locate a sewer cleanout.
3.Bubbles Appearing
A more modest indicator could be the appearance of bubbles in appliances. For instance, when you turn on the sink faucet, the toilet begins to bubble ominously.
Even if your toilets and sinks do not overflow when you run water elsewhere in the house, bubbling can be a problem. Having a few bubbles develop every time you flush the toilet may not appear to be a significant problem, but it might soon become a lot worse.
4.Odd Smells From Plumbing
If a restroom has not been cleaned in a while, it may emit an unpleasant odor. This is a given! However, if you enter a newly cleaned restroom and detect a faint odor of sewage, this is a terrible indicator. It may indicate that the sewer line is backed up and that sewage is dangerously near to entering the home.
Although it may be tempting to attempt to unclog the main sewer line without a cleanout, a professional is required if the odor is apparent and persists for extended periods. That is not a typical restroom odor.
5.The pipes cannot handle large quantities of water.
Don’t dismiss it if you can flush the toilet and run the sinks without issue, yet heavy washing machine loads are generating backups. It’s tempting to run smaller loads and pretend there’s no problem, but there’s a high probability that these will eventually become problematic as well.
The obstruction in the line will only worsen with time, and it will be much easier to resolve if you address it immediately.
Frequently, the symptoms of a clogged sewage line are controllable, but it’s crucial to catch them early so that everything continues to function. Without skilled sewer line cleaning, obstructions will not diminish.
6.Flooding in the Yard
If the main sewer system is clogged, the sewage must go somewhere. This means that the yard is likely to flood, as water can return via the pipes and enter the outside world rather than the house.
If you observe excessive moisture in your yard when it hasn’t rained, it may be time to have a professional investigate. It’s also a good idea to take note if your yard appears especially lush, as sewage flooding can cause this as well!
There are several possible explanations, but a clogged sewer line is the most likely. An exterior sewer line cleanout may be necessary.
7.Mold and Mildew in the Home
Perhaps these weird puddles are not in the place. Perhaps you’ve observed moist areas around your home. If there is a barrier, the backed-up water could be entering the property via alternate routes. Even though this does not prevent you from using your appliances, this is one of the most severe indications of a clog that has to be investigated.
Mold and mildew can cause severe structural damage to your home if left unchecked, and they can also be hazardous to your health.
Summary:
If plumbing throughout your home drains slowly, it may be because the main sewage line is clogged. Sewer inspections are excellent for preventative maintenance and can help identify areas of pipes at risk of rupturing so they can be repaired before they fail.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1: What is the purpose of a drain cleanout?
Drain cleanouts facilitate the clearing of congested pipes. It also facilitates the identification of issues in the drain line that connects your home to the sewer or septic tank. You will understand precisely what the issue is and how to prevent it in the future.
2: Where are most sewer cleanouts located?
Keep in mind that the most frequent areas for cleanouts are along the sewer or septic line and near bathrooms. Typically, it is close to your home’s foundation. As long as you investigate these regions, you can locate the concealed pipe.
3: How do you unclog a sewer without a cleanout?
Simply pour a cup of baking soda down the drain to clean clogged pipes. Therefore, pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait around 10 to 15 minutes for the bicarbonate soda and vinegar mixture to break up and eliminate the obstruction.
4: Should a sewer cleanout have water in it?
If sewage or water is visible around the perimeter of this cap, you have a clogged sewage drain. Also symptomatic of a clogged sewage drain is the presence of standing water inside the sewer cleanout when the lid is removed.
5: Can you use a pressure washer to clean drains?
You can unclog your drain with a power washer with a sewer jetter attachment. The pressure washer does not pressurize the pipe but instead moves high-pressure water through the line to dislodge accumulation. The sewage jet consists of a long, flexible tube with a jet nozzle attached to one end.
6: How do I know if my sewer connection is clogged?
If water backs up in odd areas when you use your water fixtures, there is likely a clog in the main sewage system. Two prevalent instances include:When you flush the toilet, water comes back up into the tub or shower. Sinks and toilets start to overflow when the cleaning machine is running.
7: What does my sewer cleanout look like?
The cleanout is typically a 4-inch-diameter pipe with a square knob or depression on the screw cap. It will likely emerge from the earth outside your residence between the foundation and the street. Additionally, the cleanout may be located on the side of the house closest to the bathroom.
8: Why does my house not have a clean-out?
Before attempting to have a sewer cleanout constructed, it may be prudent to determine why you do not currently have one. A more straightforward explanation for why you do not have one in your home is that your town employs a private sewage disposal system.
9: Why does my main sewer line keep clogging up?
Common causes of clogged sewer lines are broken sewer pipes or tree roots that have grown into the pipes. Because the diameter of the main sewer lines is at least six inches, a hair blockage or other small concerns are unlikely to be the culprit. If you reside in an older home, the sewer lines may have gotten fragile.
10: Can toilet paper clog a sewer line?
Washroom paper can indeed jam a sewer system. However, this occurrence is uncommon because toilet paper is water-soluble. If toilet paper clogs your toilet, it most likely adhered to existing material in the plumbing system.
Conclusion:
A sewer cleanout is a vital component of the plumbing and waste disposal system in your home. Every homeowner should be aware of the position of the sewage cleanout. Licensed professionals from Auger pros Plumbing can install additional cleanouts in the recommended places, if necessary. In the DFW region, residences with a slab or pier-and-beam foundation are required to have a cleanout since 2012.