What a cleanout is

A sewer cleanout is a vertical or angled pipe that rises from the drain line to ground level and ends in a threaded cap or plug. It exists so a sewer cable, water jetter or camera can enter the line without pulling a toilet or cutting into the pipe.

Many Fullerton homes built in the postwar decades have at least one cleanout outside near the foundation. Some also have one closer to the property line, and some have cleanouts inside, under a sink or behind an access panel. Older slab homes sometimes have none that is usable, either because it was buried by landscaping or paved over.

Where to look

Walk the outside of the house slowly, starting on the side closest to the street.

  • Along the foundation near a bathroom, often within a few feet of the wall.
  • Between the house and the street, in the front yard or a side yard.
  • Inside planter beds, under bark or ground cover that has grown over it.
  • Next to a driveway edge or walkway where the line runs toward the street.
  • In a garage or utility area, near a floor drain or the water heater.
  • Under a small round or square box lid set flush with the ground.

What you might find

Threaded cap
A screw-on cap, often plastic or brass, on top of a pipe about three or four inches across.
Square-head plug
A plug with a raised square nub for a wrench, common on older cast-iron cleanouts.
Two-way cleanout
A fitting with two openings that allows access both toward the house and toward the street.
Cleanout box
A ground-level box with a lid that protects the cleanout from mowers and foot traffic.

What a plumber does with what you find

  • IfYou found an accessible outdoor cleanoutThenIt is usually the first access point. Clear the area around it before the plumber arrives.
  • IfThe cleanout is cracked, buried or seizedThenThe plumber may need to dig it out or cut a new access, which can add time.
  • IfYou cannot find one at allThenThe line can usually be reached by pulling a toilet. Ask afterward about adding a proper cleanout.
  • IfThe cleanout cap is wet or overflowingThenThe blockage is downstream toward the street. Keep people away from the area.

Adding a cleanout

If your house had to have a toilet pulled to clear the line, ask about installing an outdoor cleanout once the emergency is over. It makes the next clearing and any camera inspection simpler. Ask whether the work needs a City of Fullerton permit and who will pull it.

Common questions

Is there always a cleanout?

No. Many homes have one, but some older houses have none that can be used, especially if landscaping or paving covered it over the years.

Can I open the cleanout to check if the line is full?

Not while water is backing up. If you need to know, look for a wet cap or soggy ground around it rather than opening it.

Why is my cleanout cap cracked?

Caps get hit by mowers, crushed by foot traffic, or brittle with sun. A cracked cap lets debris and roots in and should be replaced.

General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.