• Mon, 14 Dec 2020
• Carlos Melgar Craftsman Handyman

Why Is Sewage Coming Out of a Cleanout Pipe?

No one enjoys dealing with plumbing problems, especially when you notice sewage coming out of a cleanout pipe. But, you have to solve the problem quickly if you don’t want a bigger issue. For that reason, in this blog, we’ll talk about why this may be happening and how to solve it.

Fixing any plumbing pipe or drain is an important home improvement project. This is because you don’t want your house to get flooded or have sewage backing into your home. So, don’t wait until you have a big problem to fix it!

Understanding how your plumbing and sewage system work is crucial. When something wrong happens, you can figure out what the problem might be and take the necessary steps. We recommend calling a plumbing company or a professional handyman that can help solve the problem.

For now, continue reading to learn why you’re seeing sewage out of your pipe.

What Is a Cleanout Pipe?

Firstly, it’s important that you know what a cleanout pipe is. This is because not a lot of people know what this is. Also, many people don’t even know that they have this at their house. So, if you don’t have any idea what a cleanout pipe is, stick around to learn!

A sewer cleanout pipe is a pipe with a cap near your property line that connects to the lateral sewer line. The lateral sewer line is the pipe that connects your home’s sewer lines to your septic tank or the municipal sewers.

Your plumbing system runs along all your house. The pipes come together in the main pipe system or stack. From there, the sewage runs out of our house and into your county’s or city’s sewage system or your septic tank.

Clogs in your plumbing system are normal; they can happen from time to time. A clog will stop a pipe from allowing waste water through to the septic tank or the municipal sewers.

So, your cleanout pipe allows a snake or hydro jetting tool to clean the clog and have water running smoothly all over again.

When your lateral sewer line clogs, then sewage starts backing up into your drain lines and drains. This can affect your water fixtures and other home appliances such as your washing machine.

This not only creates a mess inside your home, but it is also a health hazard. So, having a cleanout pipe helps you keep your lines clear and drain water in case of a sewer clog.

Now that you know what a cleanout pipe is and what it does, we will talk about where and how to find it.

Where Is It Located?

Knowing about your cleanout pipe is not enough, though; you must know where it is located. As we said before, you can find it on or near your property line.

For some people, it may be easier to find the cleanout pipe because it is outside, jutting above the ground. However, in some cases, it is more complicated. This is because some homes may be multiple cleanout pipes, and some of them may be inside.

These are some of the ways you can follow to find your home’s cleanout pipe.

Check Your Sidewalk

Firstly, check your sidewalk. In some cities, the place where your lateral sewer line meets the municipal line is marked. You can check for a painted or stamped “S” along your sidewalk or curb.

If you find this, then you can imagine a straight line from the marked “S” down to where your lateral is. In some cases, you can find the cleanout pipe near the marking on the sidewalk.

Check Near Your Foundation

Sometimes, placing the cleanout pipe near the road on a sidewalk is inconvenient. So, the pipe will be near the home’s foundation.

If you found a pipe in the sidewalk, then you may also want to check near your home’s foundation. This is in case your house has multiple pipes.

Cleanout pipes that are located near your home’s foundation generally mean that you have a septic system.

Check Inside Your Home

Older homes will have cleanout pipes inside. If you know that your house was built several years ago, then you can start looking inside for your cleanout pipe.

Make sure to check your basement, crawl spaces, or your attic along the vent pipe. Most indoor cleanout pipes are “Y” or “T” shaped where only one side has a cap.

Sewage Coming Out of a Cleanout Pipe: What Is the Reason?

So, now that you know a little bit more about cleanout pipes, we can finally answer everyone’s question.

Why is sewage coming out of a cleanout pipe? This is because your main sewer line is blocked. You may have sewage standing in your sewer cleanout pipe or draining out of it. If this has happened, then you will find the cap on the ground near the pipe.

If you see this, then it is probable that your drains are already back-up. Check all your water fixtures, especially toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers.

When this happens, we recommend calling a professional handyman or plumber. They will have the necessary tools to clean the sewer lines and seal the cleanout pipe again.

Don’t put off doing this because this could cause a health hazard for you and your family. As soon as you notice sewage out of your pipes, contact someone to help you.

Now, you know what to expect when you see sewage coming out of a cleanout pipe. This is a plumbing problem that you should try to fix right away.

If you’re unsure if something is a problem, then always call a professional to come and check the situation. They’ll know what to do and how best to solve it.

We know that dealing with a plumbing issue can be complicated and sometimes time-consuming. But, it is vital that you ensure that your entire plumbing system is working properly. This includes checking your cleanout pipe for sewage every once in a while.