Key takeaways
- A cleanout is a capped pipe giving access to the sewer line
- Typically near where the sewer leaves the house or in the front yard
- Soil and mulch bury them
- Some older homes have none
What it looks like
A cleanout is a capped pipe, commonly 3 to 4 inches across, that sticks up at or slightly above ground level. The cap is round with a square nut. It can be white plastic, black ABS or an old cast iron cap.
Inside the house, cleanouts appear as caps in a basement, crawl space or utility room.
Where to look
Check along the foundation wall nearest the street, and where utility pipes enter the house. Look in front yards, around the foundation and in flower beds. In a crawl space or basement, look for capped fittings along the main drain.
Follow the main drain line from the lowest bathroom or the water meter side.
Why it may be hidden
Landscaping, mulch, grass growth and new concrete can bury it. After a remodel, it may be inside a wall or under a deck.
Probing with a thin rod near the likely spot often finds it.
If there is none
Some older houses have no cleanout at all. Access can then come through a toilet, a roof vent or a newly installed cleanout. A locator can trace the line to decide where a new one should go.
Having a cleanout makes every future inspection and cleaning easier and cheaper.
Quick answers
Can I open the cleanout myself?
Be careful: the line may be under pressure from backed-up sewage. Stand to the side and open the cap slowly, or let a professional do it.
Should I mark mine?
Yes. Take a photo and measure from fixed points so you can find it again.
Want a professional look at your own pipe?
Schedule a camera inspection with the form below, or call (615) 952-0844.
