What is a Sewer Cleanout and Why It’s Important You Know

While not a common topic of discussion, sewer cleanouts become an important topic once you start having trouble with your sewer system.

The sewer cleanout is crucial for diagnosing any problems if your sewer system is located under the slab or in the yard.

What is Sewer Cleaning?

Sewer cleanouts allow you to access the rest of the home’s sewer system.

The majority of homes in Dallas/Fort Worth have slab sewer systems. Each fixture — toilets, faucets, etc. Each fixture connects to pipes which feed into underground branch lines. These branch lines connect to main sewer line. The main sewer line runs from your home to your yard. It is still underground and connects with the city’s lines.

The main sewer line is attached to the sewer cleanout pipe. They are usually located outside the house’s perimeter. The sewer cleanout opening will be located near the ground and is often covered with sewer cleanout caps.

Different types of sewer cleanouts

There are two types: one is a sewer cleanout.

One-way Cleanout

One-way cleaning allows access in only one direction.

We would not be able to send anything down the yard line if the curve is towards the yard. Vice versa.

Two-way cleanout

Two-way cleaning allows for access in both directions.

This U-shaped cleanout can be used to reach both the yard and house lines.

Are All Homes Necessary for a Sewer Cleanout

You can’t see the problem because all sewer pipes run underneath your home’s foundation. Problems like tree roots, stoppages or leaks, as well as bellying or breaks, go unnoticed until they become serious enough to cause slow drains or backed-up drains.

This is where sewer cleanings come in. Sewer cleanouts are mostly used for testing. We use sewer cameras to inspect the cleanout. To test for leaks, we also insert test balls. We can sometimes use sewer cleanouts to remove a blockage with a sewer machine.

Sometimes you don’t even require tools to spot a problem with your cleanout pipes. Standing water in sewer pipes is a sign that the lines are not working with gravity.

All homes should have a sewer cleaning.

Are All Homes Sewer Cleanout Ready?

Nearly all homes now have a sewer cleaning. Only older houses don’t have a sewer cleanout. Even if your older home was not built with a sewer cleanout installed, it is likely that one was required at some point.

If you are in a home that does not have one, it is likely the system is cast iron. It is highly unlikely that a PVC home did not have cleanouts as part of its system.

And if this is the case, because we recommend replacing a cast iron system, we don’t recommend installing sewer cleanouts. If you are replacing the entire system, there is no reason to clean out the sewers.

How do I find my sewer cleanout?

Many people believe they don’t need sewer cleaning. As I mentioned, almost all homes have them these days.

Your sewer cleanout will be buried more often than not, and this is often in a garden area. Because they see it as an eyesore, people cover up the cleanout. Another person comes in, adds more landscaping and mulch and then covers it even more. The cleanout was once only half-covered by soil, but is now covered with up to six inches.

We can help you locate the cleanout if you have searched the entire perimeter of your house.

Sewer Cleaning Installation Prices

It’s unlikely that your home doesn’t have a sewer cleaning. If you’re one of the rare cases, that’s because your sewer system is made of cast iron. We don’t recommend installing a sewer cleanout on a system that’s in dire need of replacement.

A sewer cleanout installation can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1500, depending on who you ask. The exact cost of the cleanout will also depend on what needs to be done.

Is it possible to reach concrete? Is the main line very deep? All of these factors and many other variables can make it more costly.

Do you need help with your sewer system?

Your home and family are greatly impacted by a functioning sewer system. If you suspect that your sewer system is not working properly, we at Clog kings are happy to assist you.

This post was written by Joey Denick. Joey is the Owner and Operator of Clog Kings. At Clog Kings, LLC, we pride ourselves on our dedication and efficiency. We know you don’t have time to waste. That’s why we work fast to get your home or commercial building back up and running in no time. If you are looking for Pinellas Plumbing then look no further because we got you covered!