What is a Plumbing Cleanout and Why is it Important?

What Is a Cleanout in Plumbing

In the plumbing system, clogs usually occur in complicated and inaccessible areas. Fortunately, cleanouts, a portion of pipe with a detachable cover, enables you or a plumber to easily navigate your pipes to remove formidable blockages using an auger or snake. Moreover, it allows your Stockton plumbers to inspect your pipes with a camera for other severe concerns. However, if your house is ages old, there might be multiple cleanouts. Let’s delve deeper into this.

What Exactly is a Drain Cleanout?

You might access your main sewer line through the drain cleanout, which resembles capped pipes protruding a few inches above the ground, situated outside your home, either in the front or backyard. Like other plumbing problems, people often overlook these cleanouts until an issue arises.

By inserting the camera in the plumbing pipe, plumbers can diagnose the problem if you experience a blocked drain in your house. This step is requisite if they are struggling to clear the clog or you have recurring issues with your main sewage drain. After determining the type and location of the clog, the plumber may choose the appropriate blade size to break through it and then again run the camera around your drain line to ensure the clog is completely removed.

What if You Don’t Have a Drain Cleanout?

Although drain cleanouts aren’t necessary to obviate backups, their removal might become more arduous sometimes, leaving plumbers with two options — access the sewage line via the roof or from the toilet. Unfortunately, none of these alternatives is as efficacious as Cleanout!

Option 1: Removing the Clog From the Roof

While you can access the sewer line through the roof, the sewage line can’t be readily accessible through the pipe, making the blockage removal complex, and neither the camera nor the drain equipment can reach the main sewer line. Furthermore, climbing the roof is even more treacherous and might endanger your drain cleaning Stockton professionals, notably during winters and inclement weather.

Option 2: Remove the Toilet

Without the cleanouts, you might have to remove the toilet, escalating labor costs and the chances of toilet damage. Subsequently, a plumber may utilize a drain machine to clean the clog. However, the pipes underlying the toilet might be narrower, making the blockage removal tricky.

The Perks of a Sewer Cleanout

While most states are mandated to have sewage cleanouts, it may not be compulsory in others. Below we have enlisted a few advantages of having cleanouts.

Low Maintenance Costs:

Cleanout offers direct access to your property’s sewage mainline, allowing the plumber to examine each tap separately, ensuring no clogs.

Cheaper and Faster Repairs:

If your home lacks cleanout, as an alternate, your plumber has to remove your toilet or go to the roof. Hence, owing to the cleanout, they’ll have feasible access to the sewage mainline, saving you time and money.

Prevents Often Drain Problems:

Clogs necessitate permanent solutions, such as prevention, instead of temporarily repairing them once they occur. Having a cleanout help you discover the root of the issue, providing measures to prevent it from recurring. Moreover, you can locate some other concerns before they escalate.

About Bryan

Hi, I am Bryan, a seasoned plumbing expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Renowned for my meticulous attention to detail and exceptional problem-solving skills, I have successfully and effectively handled numerous plumbing issues, ensuring top-quality service and customer satisfaction with every project I take on!