Where Is Your Sewer Clean-Out? Tips To Help You
Most homes have a sewer clean-out, which is an opening in the main sewer line that allows you to safely snake your sewer drain to get rid of clogs further out in your sewer line. Some clogs may be close to the drain, but there may be times when it's further out and you aren't going to be able to reach it from within your home. If this is the case, a sewer clean-out is going to come in handy. If you aren't sure if your home has a clean-out, read on for tips to help you find yours and what you can do if you don't have one.
Look Inside Your Home
Sometimes a sewer clean-out may be located inside your home. It's usually in a basement or even in a crawl space, it could also be inside a utility room if you have a slab home. It should stick out of the floor and have a screw-in cap in the pipe to keep gases and odors inside the pipe and not let them escape inside the house. Depending on the climate, it could be inside the house, as colder climates could cause this pipe to freeze. If you live in a cold climate, look inside your house first.
Look Outside Your Home
If you didn't find the clean-out inside your home, take a look outside. Look around the foundation of your home first. It should be located at ground level, but may be buried by some landscaping, especially if it hasn't been used in a while. Look around your home closely, even beneath decking if need be. A deck could have been built over the top of a clean-out if the clean-out wasn't visible.
What Should You Do If You Don't Have One?
If you don't have a clean-out anywhere inside or outside of your home, you can call a plumber to have a clean-out added in. A plumber can find the main sewer line and add the clean-out pipe to make cleaning out clogs easier for you. This is not something you should tackle on your own, it's a tough job and should be left to a professional if you aren't sure exactly what you're doing.
A sewer clean-out can help you clear out clogs located further out in your sewer line. Things such as roots, toilet paper, wipes, and feminine products can all clog your sewer line, making your drains sluggish or could even cause a backup in your home. Use this clean-out to remove these clogs, and hire a professional to install the clean-out if you don't already have one. You can also have a professional do the sewer cleaning.
