How Sewer Cleanout Installation Can Prevent Costly Sewer Backups

A clogged sewer line doesn't typically give warning. It manifests itself as a flooded basement, a toilet that's clanging, or raw sewage backing up into your yard — typically on a weekend, typically at the least opportune moment. The best way to prevent this mess is correct sewer cleanout installation. A cleanout is an opening constructed into the sewer pipe that will provide plumbers with a quick, clean solution for clearing clogs without breaking the ground or your tolerance. If you're not the lucky owner of a rooftop water system, or you have one but it's damaged, it's important to be aware of what you're losing.

The real job of a sewer cleanout!

A sewer cleanout is a capped pipe that leads to the main sewer line and up to the ground level. A technician can easily get to a clog without digging up your yard or removing your toilet by just inserting a snake or hydro jet into the line while the cap is open. This will save time, labor costs, and damage to your landscaping. Many older homes that have not been built to include cleanouts will be missing this, and it gives plumbers no choice but to dig up the toilet to find out if there's a clog or not, at the expense of the consumer.

When to Get a New or Repaired Cleanout

There are a number of signals that indicate that cleanout issues may be present:

• The accumulation of water around the sewer line in your yard
• Slow drains, including in all fixtures around the house
• Gases from sewage odors close to the cleanout cap or foundation.
• A split, broken or rusted cleanout cap
• Regular drain cleaning but frequent backups.

You should not ignore these signs, as they will not go away. It simply ensures a larger repair cost in the future, as a blocked or broken pipe, under pressure, may crack more or cause the sewage to flow back through the pipe and into your home.

The Installation Process

The first step in a professional installation is to find the main sewer line—typically using a camera inspection to determine depth and routing. The technician then digs a small trench to allow access to the cleanout fitting, places the correct-sized cleanout fitting in the base, and attaches it securely to the main line with a proper and watertight seal. The cap is set at or slightly above grade so it's easy to find and access in the future. It can be done properly and is a one-time project that could save you money the first time you need a line cleared.

Beyond the Cleanout: Full Sewer Line Care

If the line behind the cleanout is unsound, there is no use for the cleanout. For this reason, sewer measures may sometimes involve the removal of roots, hydro-jetting of grease buildup, and trenchless pipe lining when the pipe is cracked or aging, but not yet collapsed. One thing to note: trenchless repair is always something to inquire about in particular — it repairs the pipe from within, without the price and disruption of digging your whole yard.

Get It Done Right the First Time

The problems with sewers get worse if they aren't fixed. Whether it's camera inspection or trenchless fixing, Jetter Pro can do it all, and having a sewer cleanout installation properly is often the first and cheapest step to an easy-to-maintain sewer system for years to come. Don't let the urgency of a backup power event dictate when you should have one for your home, as the time is now.