What Is a Plumbing Cleanout (and Where Is Yours)?

A plumbing cleanout is an integral part of a plumbing system that provides access for inspections, clog removal, and maintenance. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to this plumbing fitting unless you have a problem on your hands. However, it’s important that you know where your plumbing cleanout is located, so that you or your local plumber in Pittsburgh, PA. can access it in case of a sewage backup or clog.

Here at Neighborhood Plumbing, we specialize in installing and servicing a wide range of plumbing fixtures, including plumbing cleanouts. Today, our plumbers take a closer look at what a plumbing cleanout is and where it’s located.

What Is a Plumbing Cleanout?

A plumbing cleanout is a capped pipe that provides direct access to your home’s main sewer line. It allows plumbers to easily inspect, clear, and maintain the drainage system, especially when a clog occurs deep in the drain line. In other words, it is a convenient entry point to your home’s waste removal system—one that’s designed specifically for maintenance and problem-solving.

Plumbing cleanouts come in handy for handling blockages that can’t be cleared through fixtures like toilets or sinks. Instead of tearing apart walls or digging up pipes, a plumbing repair service provider can use the cleanout to run inspection cameras or drain snakes directly into the sewer line. This speeds up the repair process, minimizes property damage, and helps prevent messy backups.

Where Is the Plumbing Cleanout Located?

The location of your plumbing cleanout depends on your home’s design and local building codes, but there are a few common places where you might find it:

Outside the Home

In many cases, the cleanout is located just outside the house, near the foundation. Look for a short, capped pipe that’s sticking a few inches above the ground. It’s often found along the path between the house and the street where the main sewer line runs. In warmer climates, this is the most common setup.

In the Basement or Crawl Space

If you have a basement or crawl space, the cleanout could be inside, often along the wall closest to where the sewer line exits the home. It may be flush with the floor or slightly elevated and capped with a metal or plastic screw-on cover.

In the Garage or Utility Area

In homes built on a slab foundation, the cleanout might be found in the garage or utility room, again usually near the main water line entry point or the wall leading to the sewer.

In the Yard

Some properties may have one or more cleanouts located in the yard, covered by a round plastic or metal lid. These may be marked or flush with the grass or landscape, so they’re easy to miss.

Why You Should Know Where Yours Is

In a plumbing emergency, such as a backed-up sewer line, it’s important to find a solution quickly. If a main line backs up and you or your professional plumber can’t locate the cleanout, it could lead to costly water damage or sewage overflow. You should be aware of your cleanout’s location so that you can provide quick service, easier maintenance, and have peace of mind. If you need help with locating your plumbing cleanout, get in touch with a professional plumbing repair service.

Trust Neighborhood Plumbing for Professional Plumbing Services

If you need a plumbing cleanout installed in your home or have sewer line issues, Neighborhood Plumbing is here to help. We have been serving both homeowners and businesses for over 10 years and are ready to take care of all your plumbing needs. If you have any questions or need to schedule a service call, contact the team at Neighborhood Plumbing.