One of the most valuable parts of a plumbing system is the sewer clean out. The sewer clean out is a capped pipe which is attached to the sewer line that runs to the main owned by the City. It provides easy access for proper cleaning out of blockages in the sewer mains.

If there is a clog or blockage at any point between the street and your home, the repair is the property owner’s responsibility. It is a good idea to know the location of your clean out before you have a major clog so that you can keep the area around your clean out clear of debris or plants to keep the access as easy and unobstructed as possible. 

If and when a blockage does happen, quick and easy access is crucial. The first step is turning the water off and making sure to stop using all plumbing fixtures. Getting the rooter machine’s snake into the sewer clean out before it backs up further is the only solution. The cap can usually be opened by hand. If not, a wrench should loosen it the rest of the way.

It is not recommended for home owner’s to take on the challenge of clearing out a clogged sewer line on their own. If you are not absolutely certain of the length of the line, the material from which it is made, it can become a bigger problem. In an older home, if the plumbing has not been updated, the line is made of a ceramic or hard clay material. If it hasn’t cracked or crumbled by the time you get the snake in the pipe, there is a good chance the speed and force of the rooter will finish the job meaning that your sewer clog has turned into a full-on sewer line replacement.

When To Call A Plumber

In the instance you have a particularly persistent clog, the plumber will recommend using a camera to locate the clog and see exactly what it is that is clogging the line. This helps aid in a faster and more streamlined repair.

Some older homes do not actually have a sewer clean out. It is a fairly easy process to install a proper clean out, although it does require some cutting of pipes and digging, but the time and expense will save a lot of money in the end. In the event there isn’t a clean out, and you do not wish to install one, the access point to the sewer line is usually the toilet closest to the line.

This involves the removal of the toilet and that takes quite a bit of time as it must be emptied before it can be removed. Once it is emptied, it has to be taken off, and when the clog is clear, it has to be re-installed. This can also make for a bit of a mess, as well.

The outdoor clean out keeps the mess outside.

If you have a sewer line blockage, call us today at (877) 473-2566 for quick and reliable help getting it taken care of!