What is a clean out plug?

A cleanout plug is a cap or lid used to close off a drain cleanout pipe. The term cleanout or cleanout pipe may refer to any branch of a plumbing pipe that is used for cleaning or unclogging the system.

What is the purpose of a cleanout?

A cleanout is an easily accessible section of pipe with a removable cover that makes it easier for you or a plumber to access your pipes. This access lets you run an auger or snake into the pipes to clear clogs and provides easy access for a plumber with a camera to check your pipes for other issues.

Where is clean out plug?

When the drain cleanout is installed indoors, it can typically be found on the main sewage line, located just before the main line meets the foundation of the home. The drain cleanout will be on a T- or Y-shaped pipe fitting and it will have a threaded plug with a square nut.

What size is a clean out plug?

The Zurn cleanout plug can be easily installed. It comes in 3 sizes to fit a 2 in., 3 in., or 4 in. size pipe. With just a turn of the wing nut it becomes an air tight fitting to prevent gases or orders from escaping into the atmosphere.

How do you remove cleanout plug?

Slip one pipe wrench onto the fitting and the second one on the cleanout plug. Then give it all you've got. If the plug breaks loose, you're home free. Start cleanout plug removal by applying gentle heat to the cleanout plug and fitting to soften the old pipe dope (Photo 1).

What homeowners need to look for when picking a cleanout plug for their sewer or drain pipe

What is a sewer cleanout cap?

A sewer pipe cap, also known as a sewer cleanout plug, is a removable cap that gives you or a licensed plumber access to your sewer line when it needs maintenance, like during a sewer backup.

Why is there a plug in my floor drain?

Normally a plug is installed here, because this is an area where sewer gases dwell. When the plug is removed, sewer gases come in to the house. After the drain gets cleaned out, the cleanout plug needs to be replaced.

How do I open my sewer cleanout?

Driving a screwdriver at an angle into the outer edge of the cap. Then tapping it with a hammer to pry it open little by little. Directly tapping the fitting on top of the cap with small sledgehammer to get a little bit of movement. Again, if you accidentally break the cap, they are cheap to replace.

How often should you have a cleanout?

Generally, homeowners can go quite a bit longer between cleanings, but it's still not a bad idea to have this done every few years or so. You should make sure it's done at least every two years if you have a large home and family, creating a large amount of sewage waste.

Can you use a cleanout as a drain?

The cleanout shall be either inside or outside the building wall and shall be brought up to the finished ground level or to the basement floor level. An approved two-way cleanout is allowed to be used at this location to serve as a required cleanout for both the building drain and building sewer.

Should a sewer cleanout have water in it?

If you see any sewage or water around the outside of that cap, you definitely have a blocked sewage drain. If you pull off the cap and see standing water inside the sewer cleanout, that's also indicative of a blocked sewer drain.

How do I unclog my main sewer without a cleanout?

How do you know if your main drain is clogged?

Early warning signs of the drain being clogged are hearing bubbling or gurgling sounds coming from one or more of your drains. Or your toilet water or faucets may bubble, and waste water may back up into your tub or shower drain when you flush.

How does main sewer line get clogged?

Sewer line blockages are usually caused by a broken sewer pipe or tree roots that have grown into the pipes. Main sewer pipes are at least six inches in diameter, so a hair clog or other minor issues are unlikely to be the cause. If you live in an older home, then the sewer lines can become brittle with age.

Why is there a cleanout under my kitchen sink?

An accessible drain cleanout is the part of the drain that can easily be accessed and which plumbers can open up and clear out with different tools. They were designed to create an easy access into your drain line in order to fix stoppages and clogs.

Does a kitchen sink need a cleanout?

Cleanouts are generally required on horizontal branches of drain pipe, but because the P-trap has removable connections, it can serve as a cleanout, so you usually don't need another one under the kitchen sink.

What is a floor drain cleanout plug?

A cleanout plug is a cap or lid used to close off a drain cleanout pipe. The term cleanout or cleanout pipe may refer to any branch of a plumbing pipe that is used for cleaning or unclogging the system.

What is the difference between floor drain and clean out?

When the drain line gets clogged If the drain line for the floor drain gets clogged, it needs to be cleaned out with a drain cleaning tool. The floor drain has an area which bypasses the trap, which will allow a tool to be inserted into the drain.

What is a plug in a basement drain?

If you do not have a backwater valve, plugs with backflow devices can be installed in floor drains. These plugs have a ball or float that will stop water or sewage from backing up into a home while permitting water to flow into the drain. These plugs can be left in place year-round.

How do you know if your sewer vent is clogged?

What is sewer plug?

OVERVIEW. The PVC Cleanout Plug enables access to sewer and drain (Sewer and Drain) pipe systems to feed a plumbing snake into a clogged drain pipe.

Why is my cleanout leaking?

Metal cleanout plugs can rust away and develop leaks. Plastic plugs can break or begin to leak because they weren't properly sealed or the sealant has worn away. Resealing and sometimes replacing cleanout plugs can stop the leak.

Will Drano unclog sewer line?

Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner

It's hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes.