What is a Drain Cleanout?
Drains can be blocked by many things. Tree roots, feminine hygiene products, and toys can all cause a blockage and cause a backup. If your drain cleaning equipment is in place, it will be easier to clear the drain.

What exactly is a drain cleanout?

The drain cleanout allows you to access your main sewer line. It is located outside your home, in your front or back yard. Most cleanouts go unnoticed until there’s a problem. They look like capped pipes sticking up a few inches above the ground.

A plumber can use a plumbing pipe inspection camera to see the problem if there is a blocked drain in your home. If they are having trouble clearing the blockage, or if you have frequent problems with your main sewer drain, this may be necessary.

Once the plumber has identified the type of clog and its location, he can select the appropriate size blade to cut through it. After the work is completed, he will again run the camera through your drain line to ensure that the clog has been completely removed.

What if I don’t have a drain cleanout?

Drain cleanouts are not necessary to remove backups. However, it is sometimes more difficult. In this case, the plumber has two options: either access the sewer line from the roof or from the toilet. Unfortunately, neither of these options is as efficient as going through a cleanout.

Option 1: Get rid of the Clog from Your Roof

Although the sewer line can be accessed via the roof, it is not possible to access the main sewer line through the pipe. The backup can’t be removed and the main sewer line cannot be reached by the camera or drain equipment. It is also more dangerous. It can also pose a danger to plumbers, especially during winter and bad weather. Sometimes it’s too dangerous for plumbers to climb on the roof.

Option 2: Disable the toilet

You may have to remove the toilet if you don’t have any cleanouts. This increases labor costs and the possibility of causing damage to the toilet. The plumber can then remove the clog using a drain machine. The pipes underneath the toilet may be smaller so the clog might not be as easily removed.

These are less effective in clearing clogs. Because you don’t know the cause of the clog, you may have ongoing problems or backups. Are roots growing from your tree or were small toys being flushed? Plumbers are often unable to warranty their work if the drain problem is not fixed by cleanouts.