Do You Need a Drain Clean Out? Signs and Causes
Drain cleaning may be necessary when subtle warning signs show up, such as gurgling toilets, slow-draining tubs, and slow-draining sinks. If you have noticed a capped pipe in your yard or in the basement, you have a direct line to the main sewer line, called a drain cleanout.
If multiple plumbing problems occur together, the fixtures are unlikely to be the cause; this indicates an issue with the main line where wastewater exits your home. Homeowners can detect early signs of small clogs in the main line before they become a big mess by understanding what a drain cleanout is and how it works.
This post explains what a sewer line cleanout is, how to find it, and how to maintain it.
Table of Contents:
What is a drain cleanout, and where is it found?
Signs your drain needs a cleanout.
Can drain cleanouts be DIY projects, or are professionals necessary?
Your Cleanout Is the Quickest Way to Access & Clear the Main Line
A drain cleanout, sometimes referred to as a plumbing cleanout pipe or a sewer line cleanout, is a capped pipe that’s connected to the main sewer line running outside your home. They give access to the mainline for maintenance. Cleanout drains allow plumbers to uncap the pipe to inspect and clear blockages without cutting into pipes or removing fixtures. Through the drain cleanout, plumbers gain access to the mainline using cameras, drain augers, or hydro jetting equipment to solve plumbing problems at the source and restore the pipe's condition. Homeowners who know about the drain cleanout and where it’s located will save time and money.
What a Drain Cleanout Is (and Where to Find It)
Drain cleanouts give plumbers access to the sewer line to clear clogs, instead of dismantling sinks or toilets to reach problem areas. Where your drain cleanout is located depends on how the plumbing system was installed.
Check the following common spots for your drain cleanout location:
- Outside along the home’s exterior wall near the bathrooms
- In the front yard near the property line, connected to the city’s system
- Inside garages, crawlspaces, or basement floors
You’re looking for a short standpipe with a threaded cap. You could also have a two-way cleanout pipe with one directing access to the house and the other toward the street.
Tip: Pooled sewage or strong gas odors near plumbing cleanouts are red flags; do not open the cap on the cleanout pipe! Call a professional instead, as wastewater pressure can suddenly erupt.
Signs You May Need to Use the Cleanout
A blockage in the main sewer line can cause plumbing issues in several fixtures, rather than one area. When there are plumbing problems in both the kitchen and bathroom, the problem is likely coming from the main line.
Recognize the common warning signs:
- Gurgling noises from toilets or drains
- Backups in the basement floor drains
- Lingering sewer odors inside or outside the home
- Water backups while dishwashers and washing machines are operating
Other warning signs may appear as patterns, such as when plumbing is overwhelmed after heavy rains, or when clogs return after a line has been repeatedly snaked.
Can I Open the Cleanout Myself—or Should I Call a Pro?
If the ground is dry, there’s no standing wastewater, and if the cap on the cleanout pipe turns easily, it may be safe to open the cleanout yourself. Turn to the side while opening, just in case there’s pressure on the wastewater. Twist the cap off slowly – just to be safe.
Call a professional to open the cleanout when:
- Standing sewage is present
- There are sewer gas odors
- Tree roots have invaded, and/or the pipe has collapsed
- You lack the proper tools or protective equipment
Calling the pros is always recommended when dealing with sewer line cleanouts. Plumbers have the specialized tools and equipment to safely open cleanout pipes, diagnose and locate clogs, and improve the pipe’s condition to prevent future issues.
Do All Homes Have a Cleanout and Where Is It?
Most homes will have a drain cleanout, but they can be hard to find. The sewer line cleanout in older homes can be buried or hidden, making it difficult to solve plumbing problems.
Likely spots for a cleanout pipe include:
- Along outside walls near bathrooms or kitchens
- In the front yard near the property line
- Inside garages, crawlspaces, or basement slabs
- Under mulch or landscaping in flower beds
Call a professional plumber if you can’t find the drain cleanout. If you do not have a cleanout pipe, a professional plumber can install one, making future plumbing maintenance and problem-solving easier.
Keep Your Drains Flowing the Smart Way
Homeowners who know what a drain cleanout is and where to find it will respond correctly when faced with plumbing mishaps. When they recognize the warning signs, slow drains, gurgling fixtures, or recurring clogs, they’ll know what’s going on and what’s needed to address the issues.
Moe’s Plumbing serves homeowners in Texarkana with expert diagnostics, drain cleaning, and sewer line services. Our pros will find your plumbing cleanout, clear a stubborn blockage, and solve your plumbing problems correctly.
Contact Moe’s Plumbing to schedule service or to ask a question about keeping your drains flowing smoothly.
