You never think about a septic cleanout until something goes awfully wrong with your septic system.

Perhaps you experience backed-up waste in your bathroom or step in puddles of the same in your yard.

Septage is a hazard not only to your family but to other people as well.

Plus, it smells terrible and is disgusting to look at.

To keep waste where it should be, you need to understand your septic system like the back of your hand.

Today I thought I’d put together a guide on the ABCs of septic cleanouts.

To avoid the mess and hazard created by septic system blockages, plumbers install cleanouts.

But what are they?

How do they work and where can you find them?

I have answered these questions and more below.

Let’s dive right in…

What Is A Septic Tank Cleanout?

In simple terms, a septic tank cleanout is a short capped pipe connecting a home’s plumbing system to the septic tank.

It is a straight vertical pipe running from the main drain pipe of your plumbing system all the way to the ground level and a few inches up.

The pipe is covered with a cap and sometimes a covering plate for extra protection.

The cleanout is no doubt a very important component of the septic system as it makes it easy to clean the tank and remove clogs if any.

The pipe, located somewhere between the septic tank and your house, also notifies you when there’s a plumbing issue.

If water overflows out of it or the pipe is surrounded by water suddenly, it signifies clogging in the septic system.

 You can say that the cleanout essentially offers access to the septic system so that clogs can be removed easily.

What Does A Septic Cleanout Look Like?

It is usually a black or white pipe sealed with a plug bolted with a square nut.

It may or may not have a plastic cap and/or metal lid labeled “C”, “S”, “O”, or cleanout.

The pipe leads to a Y or T fitting connecting to the drain line that leads to the septic tank.

The pipe essentially sticks out above the ground level.

If you are still confused, check out the Power Rooter Plumbing’s video below

How Does It Work?

An outside septic tank cleanout allows a hydro jetting tool or a snake to break a clog and get the system working again.

Both are special plumbing tools used to remove blockages from sewer lines and septic systems.

In some instances, plumbers also place video equipment through the cleanout and into the septic system to know what is going on there.

Benefits

Ask any plumber and they will tell you that installing a septic tank cleanout is a lifesaver for the reasons listed below.

• It Help You Save on The Cost Of Removing Clogs: Without a cleanout, you or a plumber will have to dig out drain lines to unclog the system. Best believe that this will set you back hundreds of dollars. Why waste money when you can have a cleanout pipe?

• It Helps You Detect Issues Early: As mentioned before, a septic tank cleanout can help you discover plumbing issues in your system. When you catch them early, you can have them sorted before they compromise your septic tank further.

• It Makes Unclogging Efficient: With a septic tank cleanout, a plumber is able to insert their equipment and remove any clogging with ease. If you are up for it, you can also get in there and unblock your own system.

• It Helps Prevent Future Problems: Using a cleanout pipe, a plumber can tell what exactly is wrong with the system. From there, they can offer advice on what to do to avoid the same issues in the future. 

Learn more from 1 Tom Plumber’s video below:

Do All Septic Tanks Have A Cleanout?

No. It is not mandatory to have a cleanout when you have a septic system.

It all depends on the contractor that installed the septic tank and the original owner of the home.

Some states have made it mandatory to have a cleanout but some don’t have any rules regarding it.

Septic Tank Cleanout Pipe Location

Not all residential properties have septic cleanouts in the same locations.

However, in newer homes, the pipes are usually located outside – between the house and the septic tank.

Older homes can have cleanouts inside rather than outside.

Although not always the case, one property can have more than one cleanout.

This is often the case with a home with two septic tanks.

How Do I Find My Septic Tank Cleanout?

Locating a septic tank cleanout is a straightforward task if you are a plumber.

However, for a general homeowner, finding it is easier said than done.

This is especially because most cleanouts are buried under soil, mulch, or plants.

If you are wondering where yours is located, it should be somewhere between your house and the septic tank.

For most properties, the pipe is close to the slab of the house about three feet from the house’s foundation.

You may also find it on the sidewalk or the curb.

Inside the home, the septic tank cleanout is located in the basement, crawl spaces, or outer walls.

One way vs. Two way cleanouts

Cleanouts come in two types:

• One-way Cleanouts: These only allow cleaning of the septic system in one direction usually towards the yard. If you have a blockage under your home, a one-way cleanout may not be efficient in removing the clog.

• Two-Way Cleanouts: These have a U-shape and allow for cleaning in two directions – towards the house lines and the yard. Even with a clogging problem underneath the house, a two-way pipe may be able to unclog the pipe from the outside.

What If My Septic Tank Doesn’t Have A Cleanout?

As mentioned previously, not all homes with septic tanks have cleanouts.

Having one just makes it easy to remove blockages from the plumbing system.

If you don’t have one and live in an old home, you may have a plumber install one for you.

Without a cleanout, backups and blockages may have to be sorted through the toilet or the roof.

This makes things messy but they get the job done eventually.

Hiding Cleanouts

Homeowners who may want to hide their cleanouts for safety or aesthetic reasons can do so through the following strategies.

• Bury it in gravel or mulch: White cleanout pipes can be disguised with white gravel. You can also build mulch around it.

• Install a garden bed around it: You can also conceal your cleanout by planting a garden full of medium-sized plants around it. Consider using plants and flowers that hide it rather than growing into it. This way, you can still assess it when you need to.

• Add a sculpture: A septic cleanout can also be blocked by using stuff like class garden gnomes or tall angel sculptures.

• Build a cabinet around the cleanout: this applies to homes with inside cleanouts.

Best Practices For Installing Septic Tank Cleanouts

Want to install a cleanout? Pay attention to the following tips.

• Choose the best cleanout type for your home depending on your needs or the depth of your pockets.

• Consider putting an enclosure such as a valve box for protection over the cleanout. The box also keeps it from being buried under soil or vegetation too quickly.

• Before installation, switch off all appliances to keep the drain line dry.

• The pipe should be of the same size as the pipes it is connected to.

• Use a generous amount of cement to ensure a secure and solid fit.

• Utilize a threaded cap for easy removal when the need arises.

Troubleshooting and Warning Signs 

A cracked septic cleanout pipe should be fixed as it can let waste out anyhow.

Equally, if the cap is too tight (a common situation in old homes), it will need to be opened by the pros.

Can you pump your septic tank through the cleanout?

Not really. The cleanout pipe doesn’t provide a big enough access to pump out a septic tank.

Even if a hose fits in it, the best access point is through the lid of the tank.

The cleanout is simply too far away from the tank and will not get the job of pumping done well.

There’s water in my septic tank cleanout: what does it mean?

Whether water is still or overflowing around your cleanout, chances are that there’s a blockage in the septic tank or any point between the tank and the cleanout.

Either way, you want to call a plumber to take care of the problem for you.

Closing Thoughts

A clog in your septic system is not something to be taken lightly.

If not attended to, it can compromise all plumbing fixtures and eventually cause a systemic failure.

Having a septic tank cleanout can save the day when there are blockages.

Knowing where it is and how it works can save your system before it malfunctions.

Whether you have frequent issues with your septic tank or experience a blockage, a septic tank cleanout is a major lifesaver.