Does a toilet need a cleanout?

Author: Elroy Green  |  Last update: Friday, February 14, 2025

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.

Is a cleanout drain necessary?

Why do I need a clean out pipe? Over time, grease and debris can build up in your sewer line, forming clogs which prevent proper flow of your wastewater. Tree roots growing into your sewer line can also cause problems.

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.

Where is the cleanout on a toilet?

To locate your sewer cleanout, follow the drain pipes that connect to your sink, tub, toilet, dishwasher, or other main plumbing fixture. The cleanout may be located where all of these pipes meet, capped with a metal or plastic knob.

Where are cleanouts needed?

According to plumbing codes, an additional cleanout is required for every 100 feet of sewer line. The code also states that you need additional cleanouts inside your home at every junction where the drainage line changes direction by 45 degrees or more.

Clean Out Explanation

Do toilets need cleanouts?

Toilets require a drain line that can handle frequent use and a large volume of wastewater, whereas cleanouts are not built for this purpose. Improper drainage can lead to recurring clogs, slow flushing, and even sewage backups, which can be extremely inconvenient and costly to repair.

Why doesn't my house have a cleanout?

The only houses that don't are older homes in which a cleanout wasn't installed originally. But even if you're in an older home that was built without a sewer cleanout, it's likely one was needed at some point and was installed. But if you happen to be in a home without one, the system is probably cast iron.

Do all homes have a sewer cleanout?

Every house should have one, although unfortunately, some houses don't. Not only do all homes not have plumbing clean-outs, often those that do have an insufficient number. The Licensed specialists at Augerpros Plumbing can provide the installation of extra clean-outs if needed, and in the recommended locations.

How do you clear a toilet bowl?

Use Baking Soda To Unclog a Toilet – Something a little stronger than dish soap for dealing with a clogged toilet is a baking soda/vinegar combination. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar into your toilet. It will begin to fizz but this is okay. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then try a test flush.

What size is a toilet cleanout?

P3005. 2.5 Cleanout Size

Cleanouts shall be the same size as the piping served by the cleanout, except cleanouts for piping larger than 4 inches (102 mm) need not be larger than 4 inches (102 mm).

Where are most sewer cleanouts located?

You may also end up finding a metal box you need to pull open to access the cleanout.
  • Remember that the most common locations for the cleanout are along the main sewer or septic line and near bathrooms. It is typically near your home's foundation. ...
  • In some rare cases, the sewer cleanout may be buried.

How much does a plumbing cleanout cost?

Depending on the job's difficulty, cleanout installation will cost the average homeowner between $650 – $2,000, with the highest cost reserved for those that require extensive digging and retrofitting.

How often are cleanouts required?

For long runs of piping, a cleanout is required every 100 feet. This measurement is taken from the highest end of the horizontal drainage piping to the point of connection with the building sewer.

What does a plumbing cleanout look like?

A cleanout drain allows the homeowner an access point to the main sewer line. Most drain cleanouts are located outside of your home in the back or front yard, they look like capped pipes sticking up from the ground 3-6 inches they look like plumbing fixtures.

Is drain out safe for toilets?

Drain OUT® Bathroom is designed to be safe for all plumbing types, including septic systems, making it a versatile drain cleaner. EPA Safer Choice certified.

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.

Why is my toilet clogged with nothing in it?

The Short Answer Is: A toilet can repeatedly clog due to several reasons, including inadequate flushing power, an obstructed trap or drainpipe, or an accumulation of non-flushable materials like toilet paper, hygiene products, or foreign objects.

How do you clear a clogged toilet waste pipe?

Pour two or three cups of Domestos thick bleach into the bowl and leave it to do its work breaking up clogged elements and killing any germs lurking in your U-bend for about ten minutes. Then flush to clear your blocked toilet drain. Repeat if necessary.

How do you remove hard sediment from toilet bowl?

Use vinegar or another acidic cleaner to clean calcium buildup from your toilet. The acid will break down the mineral deposits so you can brush them away. Be sure to take the necessary safety precautions when working with cleaners. Wear gloves and eyewear and open windows for ventilation.

What if my home doesn't have a cleanout?

If your main sewer line is clogged and you don't have a cleanout, you may be able to clear the blockage using a plunger or a plumber's snake. You have a few options to try before calling a professional.

Do all toilets go to the sewer?

Most toilets drain into neighborhood sewers or septic tanks.

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.

Where must a cleanout be installed?

There shall be a cleanout near the junction of a building drain and building sewer either inside or outside the building wall. Cleanouts shall be placed in the building sanitary sewer and the building storm sewer at the property line and brought to the surface.

How much does it cost to install a sewer cleanout?

On average sewer cleanout installation cost runs between $1,850- 3,500. This cost depends on several factors such as depths, or whether or not landscape or concrete will be removed, to create a proper workspace to access the sewer line.

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.

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