When a drain backs up, the fastest path to relief is your sewer cleanout—an access point that lets you clear blockages in your main sewer line. The challenge is that many homeowners don’t know where it is, or whether one even exists.
At A1 Best Plumbing, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend a simple, safe, and systematic approach to find your cleanout and get your home flowing again.
Quick Answer: Where to Look First
- Near the foundation: Within 2–5 feet of the exterior wall where the main line exits the home.
- Toward the street or alley: In a small green box labeled “sewer,” a round brass/cast-iron cap in concrete, or a PVC cap in a planter.
- At the base of the main stack: Inside a garage, utility room, basement, or crawl space along the main drain.
- Property line cleanout: Sometimes located near the sidewalk or alley, inside a rectangular box.
- If you can’t find it quickly: Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend calling A1 Best Plumbing to locate it with a camera and electronic tracer.
What a Sewer Cleanout Looks Like
- PVC cap (white or black), 3–4 inches wide, often with a square nut or raised tabs.
- Cast iron or brass plug with a square head, flush with concrete or inside a small box.
- Green irrigation-style utility box in the yard labeled “sewer” or “CO.”
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend scanning for round or square caps that are roughly palm-sized and situated in line with your bathrooms and kitchen.
Step-by-Step: How to Locate Your Cleanout
- Map Your Drain Line Inside the Home
- Find the bathroom group that shares walls (toilets, showers) and the kitchen line. The main drain typically runs from this “wet wall” toward the street or alley.
- Look for a cleanout at the base of the main vertical stack in a garage, utility closet, basement, or crawl space. It often looks like a capped tee or wye on a 3–4 inch pipe.
- Check the Exterior Perimeter
- Walk the outside wall opposite your main bathroom group. Scan within 2–5 feet of the foundation.
- In older Long Beach homes, cleanouts may sit in planter beds or just under mulch. Gently brush back soil—don’t dig deeply without utility clearance.
- Inspect the Front Yard and Driveway
- Follow a straight line from the indoor stack toward the sidewalk. Look for:
- A green box labeled “sewer” near the sidewalk or parkway.
- A round metal cap flush with the driveway or walkway.
- Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend checking any utility lids for labeling to avoid confusing irrigation with sewer.
- Follow a straight line from the indoor stack toward the sidewalk. Look for:
- Search the Back or Alley Side (If Applicable)
- Many Long Beach lots have alleys; some homes route the sewer to the rear. Look near fences and back corners for a covered cleanout box.
- Crawl Space or Basement Check
- If safe and accessible, shine a flashlight along the main drain as it exits the foundation. You may find a cleanout wye oriented toward you for easy access.
- Use Clues and Records
- Check your home inspection report, past plumbing invoices, or builder plans. Neighbors with similar homes often have cleanouts in the same location.
- City or public works may have “as-built” lateral maps for your parcel. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend contacting local records if you’re planning major work.
Important: If you need to dig more than an inch or two to uncover a suspected cap, call 811 before you dig to mark underground utilities.
Safety First: Before You Open a Cleanout
- Expect pressure and flow. If the line is backed up, removing the cap can release wastewater. Wear gloves, eye protection, and old clothes; open slowly.
- Ventilate. Sewer gases can be unpleasant and potentially hazardous—work outdoors or ensure good airflow.
- Avoid chemicals. Drain chemicals can splash during opening and are dangerous for you and your pipes.
- Roof vents aren’t cleanouts. Snaking from a roof vent is risky and not a substitute for a proper ground-level cleanout. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend ground access whenever possible.
What If You Can’t Find a Cleanout?
If your search comes up empty, you might not have an accessible cleanout, or it may be buried. Here’s how pros track it down:
- Camera and Locator: A plumber feeds a camera into a drain and uses a receiver to pinpoint the camera head from the surface. This precisely marks the line and ideal cleanout location.
- Electronic Tracer: A tracer can follow a metal snake or transmitter through the line to map the route.
- Metal Detection: For cast iron caps buried under landscaping.
- Records Review: Permit history and as-built drawings can reveal earlier cleanout locations.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend scheduling a locating service rather than exploratory digging—this minimizes damage to landscaping and hardscape and saves time.
Consider Installing or Relocating a Cleanout
If you don’t have an accessible cleanout—or it’s hidden under concrete—installing a new one is a smart investment.Benefits:
- Faster, safer service: Technicians clear blockages without entering the home or climbing on roofs.
- Lower long-term cost: Easier access reduces labor time on future calls.
- Code compliance and resale value: Cleanouts are required by modern codes and are a plus in home inspections.
Typical placements include:
- Primary cleanout 2–5 feet from the foundation on the building drain.
- Property-line cleanout near the sidewalk or alley.
- Directional wye oriented toward the street for easier camera and jetter entry.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend installing dual-direction cleanouts at key bends or transitions to handle upstream and downstream access.
Common Long Beach Scenarios and Tips
- Older bungalows and craftsman homes: Cleanouts may be in planter beds near the front porch or in crawl spaces with cast iron plugs.
- Homes with alleys: Look for a rear property-line cleanout in a green box by the fence line.
- Remodeled properties: Landscaping or concrete work sometimes buries cleanouts. Probe gently with a screwdriver where records indicate a cleanout should be.
If you notice frequent slow drains, gurgling, or tree roots on your property, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend adding a visible, code-height cleanout and scheduling a camera inspection to assess pipe condition (clay, cast iron, or PVC).
FAQs
- Do all homes have a sewer cleanout?
Most modern homes do. Older homes may lack one or have it in a hard-to-reach place. Installing one is usually straightforward.
- Is the property owner responsible for the sewer lateral?
Typically, the homeowner is responsible from the house to the property line; the city maintains the main. Check local rules for specifics.
- What size is the cleanout?
Commonly 3–4 inches. Caps may be plastic, brass, or cast iron.
- Can I use the cleanout myself?
You can remove the cap carefully to relieve pressure and attempt basic snaking, but for heavy roots, grease, or backups, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend professional hydro-jetting and camera verification.
When to Call A1 Best Plumbing
- You can’t locate the cleanout within 30–60 minutes.
- The cleanout is buried or seized and won’t budge.
- You suspect tree roots, recurring blockages, or a broken clay/cast-iron line.
- You want to install a new, code-compliant cleanout in the right spot.
At A1 Best Plumbing, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend starting with a locate-and-camera service, then advising on the best access point and any needed repairs. We’ll find your cleanout, verify line health, and set you up for faster, easier service in the future.
Get Help Today
Need help finding your sewer cleanout—or want one installed where it actually helps? Contact A1 Best Plumbing. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend a proactive approach that saves time, reduces mess, and protects your home from future backups. We’re local, responsive, and ready to get your drains flowing again.