A drain cleanout pipe is 3, 4, or 6 inches in diameter and typically white or black. It has become common practice for the sewage line, drain cleanout, plug, and cap to be made of ABS plastic, though about 76 million homes in America still have cast iron sewage lines with brass or cast iron drain cleanouts.
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. Sewer cleanouts connect directly to a lateral sewer line that connects plumbing to your septic tank or the municipal sewage line.
The drain cleanout is usually located close to the home, in line with the septic tank or municipal system. Septic systems: Walk back from the tank towards the home, looking for a plastic pipe vertically sticking up from the lawn or garden.
A septic tank is always 95% full. Whether or not you will see liquid in a cleanout near the tank depends somewhat on where the cleanout is located. The tanks outlet should be lower than the inlet so the pipe should be empty when you look in the cleanout.
If sewage or dirty water is coming out of your home's sewer line cleanout, or if there is water standing around the cleanout pipe, this confirms you have a main sewer line clog.
Excess water or an unpleasant smell around the drain field
The field where your tank empties is a place you should make regular checks on – if there are pools of water (although do be conscious of recent weather conditions) or unpleasant smells, these are signs of a full tank.
Walk across the entire drainfield checking for odors and damp areas. Are there any mushy or swampy areas or surfacing effluent? Open and look inside each inspection port (some systems). You may need a flashlight.
How long does it take to pump a septic tank? A septic tank between 1,000 - 1,250 gallons in size generally takes around 20-30 minutes to empty. A larger tank (1,500 - 2,000 gallons) will take about twice as long, between 45-60 minutes. However, the speed will depend on the company, the equipment, and other factors.
Toilets Flush Slowly
When your septic tank is excessively full, your toilet may start acting odd. 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.
Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year.
The sewer gas that's present in septic systems can be fatal. It's a quick and silent killer, so I advise homeowners to never ever try to work on their own septic system. Hire a professional to stay safe.
Expert Recommendations for Sewer Line Cleaning
We recommend homeowners schedule sewer line cleaning every 18 to 24 months to prevent buildup and clogs. Regular cleanings help avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system.
Green, spongy grass around your septic tank
“While the area might look green and lush, it's a strong signal that you have a big problem,” Monell says. That could be due to a leak of effluent, aka liquid wastewater, before it hits the drain field.
Standing water or muddy ground could also be an indication that your drain field is clogged, which can cause water levels in your septic tank to rise. Sewage odors are coming from your drains, tank or leach field: Sewage odors are one of the first signs that your drain field might be failing.
Your leach field (also known as your drain field) is the most expensive part of your septic system to repair or replace. Depending on the size, full leach field replacement can cost you as much as $20,000.
Have your system inspected (in general) every three years by a licensed contractor and have the tank pumped, when necessary, generally every three to five years.
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $150 and $400 for professional drain cleaning services. Here's a rough breakdown of costs based on the method used: Snaking/Augering: $100 to $250. Hydro Jetting: $300 to $600.
Spring: Spring is an excellent time for septic tank pumping. As the ground thaws and snow melts, accessing and servicing your system becomes easier. This season also prepares your septic tank for increased usage during the summer months.
Homeowners should expect to pay between $350 and $600 for a standard septic tank pumping in 2024. However, all the factors we outlined above can impact the cost, and this estimate may increase depending on your unique situation.