This is usually a short white pipe about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and sealed with a screw on cap.
Cleanout on first floor toilet.
The plumber will run a drain auger also called a plumber s snake through the sewer clean out to clear the clog.
And send water outside instead of into the house.
A cleanout located inside the building may be inside a wall or floor.
Cleanouts are usually in the drain where there is a 90 degree turn and positioned in such a way that when you remove the cap you can easily work on the blockage.
This will identify what caused the clog and determine what needs to be done to clear it.
Cleanouts are strategically placed to allow access to all sections of the sewer line.
Homeowners who have access to their sewer cleanout line typically a short round white pipe with a rubber cap located in the yard near the house can remove the cleanout cap during a backup to release pressure build up.
Piping above the first floor of the building is not required to have a cleanout.
Where more than one change of horizontal direction greater than 45 degrees 0 79 rad occurs within 40 feet 12 192 mm of developed length of piping the cleanout installed for the first change of direction shall serve as the cleanout for all changes in direction within that 40 feet 12 192 mm of developed length of piping.
When you first notice the symptoms of a clogged sewer line turn off the water at the main supply or street level.
However the clog may not be removed as thoroughly because the pipes beneath the toilet are smaller.
A cleanout may be easily accessible in buildings that have a crawlspace or a basement.
This increases the cost of labor and the risk of damage to the toilet itself.
When it turns out a blockage is upstream of a particular cleanout you have to access it from another cleanout because the auger can t go upstream.
A two way cleanout at the transition of the building drain and sewer can substitute for an upper terminal cleanout only if the distance to the furthest horizontal drainage piping is within 100 feet.
If you don t have cleanouts removing the toilet may be your only option.
Start by selecting the right plunger such as this accordion style tool available on amazon or another from our full list of recommendations for the best plunger.
Survey your yard basement or roof and see if you can find your sewer cleanout line.
The sweep of the fitting makes it easy to insert an auger and reach a blockage located downstream from the cleanout.