Subdivision plans could also help. A subdivision plan shows a parcel of land split up into different developments. It is accessible through a government planning office, contractors, and property owners.
A certified plumber can send a small camera down the main sewer line to find out where it branches off into a cleanout. Installing a cleanout is often an inexpensive way to make plumbing maintenance much easier. It can cost as little as $650 USD or as much as $3,500, depending on if the cleanout is installed outside the home or if the installer needs to do a lot of excavating inside your home.
The best people to call are ones that worked outside your home or otherwise came near the sewer line. Call the company you most recently dealt with.
Surveyors keep maps of the landscape in your community for legal and safety reasons. They often have access to plot plans. Engineers use plot plans when organizing construction projects. If you dealt with a contractor while improving your home, they may be able to refer you to an engineer they consulted during the project.
You won’t get much help this way unless the company has specifically dealt with your home. Try to contact a company you have dealt with recently.
To find the septic tank, look for the vent pipes sticking out of the ground. You could also refer to your home’s plot plans or contact a plumber for assistance.
Outdoor, front yard cleanouts are very common with homes on slab foundations in relatively warm climates. The cleanout is often in the front yard. You may also see a “W” for water and a “G” for gas. As long as you are able to find the sewer cleanout, you can ignore these. However, remember their location if you need to dig for the cleanout.
The cleanout may also be labeled with an “S” or an alternative like “C. O. ” or “clean out. ” It is typically very easy to recognize.
The cap stands out a lot. Your home won’t have any other external pipes like it.
Side cleanouts can happen if the front yard isn’t close enough to the city’s sewer line. It’s also common in larger homes that have multiple bathrooms. If you have multiple bathrooms on the first floor, be sure to check near both of them. The cleanout could be on either side. Your home may even have multiple cleanouts!
Remember that the most common locations for the cleanout are along the main sewer or septic line and near bathrooms. It is typically near your home’s foundation. As long as you search those areas, you can find the hidden pipe. In some rare cases, the sewer cleanout may be buried. You will have to dig a little bit in the most likely areas to find it. Dig down about 1 in (2. 5 cm), taking care not to hit any utility lines.
Note that following the main sewer line in your home can be tricky. Try following the drainage pipes from any nearby utilities. If the pipes cross into the walls, estimate their location or search outside for the main sewer line. In colder regions, such as in Canada, cleanouts are often built inside homes to prevent them from freezing during the winter.
When you look in the basement, for example, the cleanout could be on a Y or T-shaped pipe fitting. Cleanouts in bathrooms and near floor drains are often similar to ones located outdoors.
If your home is set up this way, there is a chance it includes multiple cleanouts. Check other bathrooms and ground drains as well. Homes with slab foundations, including those in warmer climates, can have bathroom cleanouts. It happens sometimes in older homes, especially if there isn’t a good spot to hide the cleanout outdoors.
Since the sewer cleanout has to be near plumbing, you likely won’t find it in spots that are far away from drains. For example, you don’t have to spend much time looking through a closet in a distant hallway unless there is a drain nearby. Utility cleanouts happen when there isn’t room in the basement or bathroom. These cleanouts are often secondary and meant to help plumbers access a specific part of the sewer system.
If you have plumbing in the attic, remember to inspect it for the sewer cleanout. Attic cleanouts are rare but can be spotted in old homes. Your home likely won’t have a cleanout there unless it also has a bathroom or other plumbing there.
You’re better off letting a plumber confirm the location of the cleanout and find a way to access it. Trying to get to it on your own could cause serious damage to your home if you are not careful. The cleanout usually will not be in the wall. It happens sometimes in older homes that have had remodeling work done, similar to how landscaping work can lead to an outdoor cleanout becoming hidden.
