Do I Need to Clean Out My Plumbing Cleanout?

By Hannah Stephens

January 05, 2026

Chances are, you try to avoid thinking about your sewer line too often. However, this essential component of your home's plumbing system can't be ignored when clogs or blockages occur. In this situation, you need to know where your sewer cleanout is located so a plumber can fix the issue with minimal disruption.

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A plumbing cleanout is generally low-maintenance, but that doesn't mean you should forget it entirely. Sewer cleanout maintenance ensures you have easy access to your sewer line when necessary. Below, we'll explain what a cleanout is and how to keep it in good working order.

What Is a Plumbing Cleanout?

A plumbing cleanout, also known as a sewer cleanout, is an access point to the main pipe connecting a home's wastewater drains to a septic tank or municipal sewer system. Sewer cleanouts are usually Y- or T-shaped vertical pipes and may be white or black. They usually have a threaded plug topped with a square nut and covered by a plastic cap.

The primary function of a sewer cleanout is to allow access to a home's main sewer line for needed maintenance or repairs. For instance, it might be opened up for a plumbing inspection or sewer camera inspection or so a rooter service can clear a blockage in the line.

Where Is My Sewer Cleanout?

The climate in your area offers a clue for where to find your sewer cleanout:

In colder climates, plumbing cleanouts are typically found indoors. If you have a basement, you'll likely find it there, situated close to where the main sewer line enters the house through the foundation. If your home is built on a slab, the cleanout could be in a main-floor bathroom or utility room.

In warmer climates, sewer cleanouts are usually located outdoors. You might find yours close to the foundation near the exterior wall of a bathroom, as sewer cleanouts are often placed near a toilet. Since it's not accessed often, the cleanout may be hidden by landscape plantings or other vegetation.

Do You Need to Clean Your Sewer Line Cleanout?

Whether you need to clean your sewer cleanout depends on several factors. Most homeowners don't perform sewer cleanout maintenance regularly, but some plumbers recommend flushing drains with hot water occasionally. Doing so can help remove grease, oil and other stubborn debris that can stick to the inside of your drain pipes and cause blockages.

Some plumbers also advise cleaning your main sewer line at regular intervals. Doing so can remove clog-causing debris, which also helps keep your sewer cleanout in good condition. Since this task involves working in areas contaminated with sewage, hiring a professional plumber to clean your main sewer line is usually the safest option. They'll wear personal protective equipment and take appropriate steps to minimize the risk of sewage-borne illnesses.

As a general rule, you should aim to have your sewer line cleaned every 18 to 24 months. However, some plumbing systems may require more frequent cleaning. A drain cleaning company can advise you on the best sewer cleanout maintenance schedule for your home.

Signs You Need Sewer Cleanout Maintenance

While you can usually get away with cleaning your sewer line relatively infrequently, you should schedule sewer cleanout maintenance as soon as you notice the signs of issues with your home's drain system. Acting promptly can help reduce the risk of serious blockages or damage to the pipes, which could become more expensive to repair the longer you wait.

Signs your sewer cleanout and main sewer line need maintenance include:

Slow drainage from bathtubs, sinks and other fixtures
Unpleasant odors coming from drains or the ground around your home
Gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or sink when you run water in another fixture
Sudden increase in water bills
Unusually wet or lush areas in your yard
Frequent drain clogs
Sewage backing up into your toilet or other plumbing fixtures

Raw sewage poses a health hazard, so taking immediate action is essential if it backs up into your home through a toilet, sink or bathtub.

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How Do You Clean a Sewer Cleanout?

It's best to get professional help to clean your sewer cleanout, as removing the cover could allow hazardous waste and gases to escape. DIY cleaning could also let debris into the line or damage the sewer cleanout pipe, leading to more severe plumbing problems and costly sewer repairs.

While DIY cleaning isn't recommended, there are some simple, safe steps you can take to keep your sewer cleanout accessible and in good working order:

Keep the area around the cleanout clear of overgrown vegetation and debris so it's easy to find and inspect.
Avoid flushing anything but waste and bathroom tissue down the toilets.
Use drain strainers to catch food debris and hair to prevent them from going down the drain.
Inspect your drain cleanout cap regularly, and call a professional to replace it if you notice cracks or other damage.
Keep tree roots from entering and blocking your sewer line by practicing strategic landscaping or installing root barriers along the line.

If you call a professional plumber to clean your sewer cleanout, they'll likely start with an inspection by removing the cap and threaded plug and feeding a small camera down the line to check for damage and clogs.

If they find a blockage, they may use a motorized drain snake or auger to break it up. This thick cable equipped with a cutting head at the end is fed down the sewer cleanout to tear through roots, grease and other debris, allowing waste to flow normally again.

Alternatively, your plumber may recommend hydro-jetting to clean the line. This process involves feeding a high-pressure hose fitted with a specialized nozzle down the sewer cleanout, then blasting the line with powerful jets of water to remove built-up debris.

If the inspection reveals serious issues, such as a corroded, broken or collapsed pipe or severe tree root intrusion, sewer line replacement may be necessary.

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