Finding Your Sewer Cleanout and Why Every Plumber Needs It

What a cleanout is

A sewer cleanout is a capped pipe that opens into the sewer line, giving a plumber a straight path for a drain cable, a water jetter or a camera. Without one, the only way in may be through a toilet opening or a roof vent, which is slower and less direct.

On many Fullerton homes the cleanout is outdoors, near the house where the drain leaves the foundation, or closer to the property line. Some homes have more than one, and some older homes have none that are easy to reach. A few minutes spent finding yours now can make a backup easier to handle later.

Where to look

Along the side or front of the house, near the bathrooms or kitchen, where the drain likely exits.
In planting beds or under shrubs that may have grown over it.
Near the front property line, sometimes in a small box set into the ground.
In a garage or utility area, on some floor plans.
On a home inspection report or old permit records, if you have them.

What it usually looks like

Shape: A short pipe stub, often 3 to 4 inches across
Cap: A threaded plastic or metal plug, sometimes with a square nub
Height: Flush with the ground or a few inches above it
Material: Black ABS, white PVC or older cast iron

If you cannot find a cleanout

IfYou suspect it is buried under soil or landscapingThenAsk a plumber to locate it; a locator or camera can help find it.
IfThe house has no exterior cleanout at allThenAsk about installing one, often as part of a repair, so future access is easier.
IfThe only cleanout is inside the houseThenAsk whether an exterior cleanout would make future work less disruptive.
IfThe cap is broken, missing or seizedThenHave it replaced so debris and water cannot get in and the line can be reached.

Questions to ask about your cleanout

Is my existing cleanout in a useful place for camera work and clearing?
Would adding a cleanout near the property line help?
Does adding one require a City of Fullerton permit?
Is the cap in good shape, or should it be replaced?

Common questions

Can I clear a clog through the cleanout myself?

Small clogs near the house sometimes respond to a hand auger, but a main-line blockage usually needs professional equipment. Never open it when sewage is backed up behind it.

Why does my house have two cleanouts?

Some homes have one near the foundation and another closer to the street, or added during a later repair. Each gives access to a different part of the line.

Is a two-way cleanout different?

A two-way cleanout lets a plumber reach the line in both directions, toward the house and toward the street. Ask whether yours is one-way or two-way.

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