Do You Know What Cleanouts Are? Here Is Why They Are Essential To Your Plumbing System 
I would argue that cleanouts are one of the most important parts of your plumbing system and you absolutely need one. Hot water is a luxury, not having your house flooded with sewage, now that’s a necessity if you ask me.
Sewer and drain systems are an essential part of any building. They ensure that there is a constant flow of water and waste removal. However, over time, pipes and drains can become clogged with debris, causing slow drainage, foul odors, and even health hazards. That’s where a cleanout comes in. A cleanout is vital component of any plumbing system that can help prevent sewage flooding inside your home or business.
What are sewer cleanouts?
A cleanout is a section of pipe that extends your sewer line allowing access to a building’s sewer or drain lines without having to dig up a sewer line or open walls. Sewer cleanouts are usually located outside the house or building. It is usually found near the foundation, and designed to allow plumbers to remove any blockages or obstructions from the plumbing system. Cleanouts can be either vertical or horizontal, with the former used for main lines and the latter for branch lines.
To the best of my knowledge, cleanouts became a code requirement in the Phoenix Metropolitan area for all new homes, buildings and sewer replacements back in 1985. If your home or business was built before that year and your sewer line has not been replaced yet, you may not have cleanouts. When those homes or buildings have stoppages, often the plumber needs to access the sewer line from a vent on the roof. Nowadays plumbing companies are beginning to stop offering that service. It has become too dangerous to run the equipment from the roof safely. It also doesn’t access the line as well as cleanouts do preventing the line from being cleared as well as it could be in the case of a stoppage.
If your home or business was built after the code requirement or your sewer line has been replaced you should have a set of cleanouts. Cleanouts should have a pair. This allows access to the sewer line going in both directions, toward the city sewer system or septic system or toward the foundation allowing stoppages under the building to be cleared.
Why are cleanouts important ?
The importance of cleanouts cannot be overstated. A clogged plumbing system can cause a variety of problems, from slow drainage and backups to water damage and even health hazards. Without cleanouts, plumbers would have to resort to more invasive measures like cutting into walls or floors to access pipes, which can be costly and time-consuming.
The most immediate reason cleanouts are a necessity is they can alleviate flooding. If your main line is backed up, the sewage has to go somewhere. Do you want that sewage going inside your tubs, showers or under toilets or outside? Obviously you’d prefer sewage to be outside of your home rather than inside and cleanouts make this possible. Removing the cleanout covers outside allows a place for the sewage to flow to rather than your tubs and showers.
Cleanouts also make routine maintenance and inspection of plumbing systems accessible. Regular cleaning and inspection of pipes and drains can help prevent clogs and identify potential problems before they become serious. By having easy access to the system through cleanouts, plumbers can quickly identify and address any issues, saving time and money in the long run.
In conclusion, cleanouts are an essential component of any plumbing system. They provide easy access to sewer and drain lines, allowing for quick and easy removal of blockages and routine maintenance. By keeping plumbing systems clean and well-maintained, homeowners can avoid costly repairs, prevent health hazards, and ensure a constant flow of water and waste removal. If your home doesn’t have a cleanout, consider having one installed by a licensed plumber to protect your plumbing system and your investment in your property.
What to do if you don’t have cleanouts
If you don’t have cleanouts in your home you’ll want to get this on your to-do list sooner than later, especially if you’ve experienced a main line stoppage or your house. If you don’t have cleanouts it’s an indication that your sewer line is at least 38 years old (blog written 2023) and you should be prepared to install cleanouts and inspect your sewer line. Cleanouts can usually be added to your existing sewer line without having to replace the whole line, as long as the existing sewer line is in good condition and is not an obsolete pipe.
If you’d like to have cleanouts installed or inspect your sewer line you can trust the incredible team at Robins Plumbing to locate your sewer line, inspect the sewer line and give you your options for cleanouts.
Services in Phoenix & Beyond
When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!
