Do all houses have a sewer cleanout?

Author: Cayla Schoen  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A lot of people think they don't have sewer cleanouts. But as I said, pretty much all homes do these days. It's more likely that your sewer cleanout is buried, often in a flower bed area. People cover up the cleanout because they think it's an eyesore.

Where are most sewer cleanouts located?

Indoor cleanouts are often located near a bathroom, utility room, or garage floor drain. If this is the case, it should be easy to spot, as it's usually positioned directly next to the drain or just a few feet beside it. However, some cleanouts may be harder to spot and require access to your home's crawl space.

What does a home sewer cleanout look like?

A drain cleanout pipe is typically white or black and looks 3, 4, or 6 inches in diameter. Most caps are made of ABS plastic, though about 76 million homes in America still have cast iron sewage lines made with brass, cast iron, or copper plugs. Only plumbing professionals should use the drain cleanout.

How much does it cost to get a sewer line cleaned out?

Clearing a clogged sewer line costs $250 to $800, depending on where the clog is located, what causes it, and the necessary cleaning. A clogged sewer line is typically an indication of a much larger problem. The main sewer line is much larger and can typically handle more volume than the average drain in your home.

How do I find out if my house is on sewer?

contact your town or city they have maps of the sewer lines. They will also tell you where the citys responsibility ends for the sewer line. most times it is at the property line.

This Pipe Can SAVE YOUR HOUSE FROM SEWAGE FLOODS! (Sewer Clean Out Pipe Explanation)

Does each house have its own sewer line?

All the drains in your home lead to one main sewer line, which goes into the municipal system or to your septic tank system. Knowing the location of your sewer line is crucial, especially when issues arise involving clogs, backups or breaks.

Is there a sewer line on my property?

Review property records: Your local city or county records or building permits should have documentation on the sewer system installation. These records often include precise diagrams showing the location of the sewer line on your property.

What happens if you don't have a sewer cleanout?

If you don't have drain cleanouts, backups can still be removed but it can sometimes be more challenging. The plumber has two options in this situation: access the sewer line from the roof or from the toilet. Unfortunately, neither option is as effective as going in through a cleanout.

How do I clear my main sewer line in my house?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. ...
  3. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. ...
  5. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable.

How much does a house cleanout cost?

Home cleanout costs per square foot may vary, but generally, you can expect to pay between $0.20 and $0.50 per square foot, depending on the condition of the property and the volume of items to be cleared.

Do all houses have a drain cleanout?

A lot of people think they don't have sewer cleanouts. But as I said, pretty much all homes do these days. It's more likely that your sewer cleanout is buried, often in a flower bed area. People cover up the cleanout because they think it's an eyesore.

How do you know if your sewer cleanout is clogged?

The following are signs to watch for that can help you detect a sewer blockage in your home.
  1. Multiple Fixtures Are Clogged. ...
  2. Flushing the Toilet Causes Water to Come Up Elsewhere. ...
  3. Water Draining From Your Washing Machine Causes an Overflow in Other Locations. ...
  4. Drainage at the Cleanout. ...
  5. Slow-Draining Sinks or Toilets.

What does a sewer cleanout look like in the house?

It often looks like a metal, white, black or gray PVC pipe sticking out of the ground, either in your yard or along an outside wall and capped with a threaded end.

Does a toilet require a cleanout?

Toilets need adequate venting to prevent sewer gas from entering your home, and cleanouts aren't designed to provide this. Without proper venting, harmful sewer gases can escape into your living spaces, creating not only unpleasant odors but also serious health risks.

How deep are sewer cleanouts buried?

Sewer cleanouts are typically 6 inches to 3 feet deep.

How much does it cost to clean the main sewer line?

Main sewer line clog repair costs $376 on average, but costs may range from $99 for the cost to snake a drain and clear a small clog to $1,600 to perform a video inspection and hydro jet a major clog from the line.

How do I clean my sewer line without a cleanout?

You can tackle a clogged sewer line using other strategies if you don't have a snake on hand. First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain.

Will Drano unclog the sewer line?

No, Drano® is not recommended to clear a clogged sewer line. Bottle unclogging solutions are designed for minor clogs and are not strong enough to break up more extensive sewer line blockages.

Does every house have a sewer trap?

If your house was constructed prior to 1989, there's a strong likelihood that it contains a house trap or sewer trap, a plumbing device used to 'trap' gases in the sewer system so that they do not seep out into the home's interior. Today, these devices are obsolete.

How long does it take to clean out a sewer line?

Depending on the severity of the problem, your sewer line could take anywhere from a half hour to 5 hours to be cleaned.

How do you know when your sewer is full?

Toilets Flush Slowly

You might find that your toilet doesn't fully flush or flushes very slowly and odd noises occur when you flush your toilet. These noises usually sound like gurgling or bubbling. Additionally, the water in your bathtub or shower takes much longer to drain than normal.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?

In most cases, home insurance will cover sewer line damage from specific events. This includes extreme weather (excluding earthquakes and floods), vandalism, fire, and damage from vehicles or falling objects.

How many sewer cleanouts does a house have?

Many homes have two clean-outs (see below). One is near the foundation of the house and the second is at or near the property line. First, check the clean-out next to the house to see if it has water in it. If it doesn't contain any water, then you know the blockage is somewhere in the house plumbing.

Do plumbers check sewer lines?

Professional plumbers can use various camera styles to inspect the sewer line, such as: Remote-controlled crawler cameras. Pole or fixed zoom cameras. Push rod cameras.

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