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yyingzhou · Oct 11, 2009, 12:30 PM

I asked somebody to mow my lawn. I heard some noise but didn't pay attention to it. After a few minutes the guy left without asking for payment. I walked out and found out the sewer cleanout cover was broken. Now he doesn't answer my call. I'm worrying about how to fix it! I know water can't be flowing.

Milo Dolezal · Oct 11, 2009, 12:49 PM

Not a big deal: You will need to purchase and install new clean out cover.

Is your pipe PVC, ABS , Cast Iron or Clay ?

If it is ABS or PVC, you measure what size pipe you have (usually 3" of 4" for residential ), go to Home Depot, buy new one and put it in. The plug is usually screw in type and has either square knob or slot on top of it. You don't need any major tools: just screw it in by hand and use channel locks to give it 1/4 turn extra.

If your clean out plug is Cast Iron or Clay than you will have to go to more professional store. These plugs are attached via coupling. Inspect the existing one. If damaged, buy new one and install at the same time.

Yes, the clean out outlet has to be covered or it will emit sewer gases. In this case, it would be health hazard.

afaroo · Oct 11, 2009, 03:37 PM

Like Milo said, no big deal, there is a lot of deferent type of sewer clean-Out caps see the images below, if the broken cap still exist take it to a Home Depot or Lowe’s, they will help you to get a new one, good luck.

John

mygirlsdad77 · Oct 11, 2009, 04:26 PM

I agree with Milo and John. This is not a major problem. I do think it is a plastic plug that got "mowed", otherwise, the mower is going to have to replace some blades on his mower. Can you post a picture of the violated cleanout? Worst case senerio, you will have to dig down a bit, cut off pipe, then use correct fitting to extend it up to where it was before. After all is said and done, I suggest putting a barrier around cleanout to protect it from being damaged again(decorative brick, or lawn orniment, etc.). Lee.

Milo Dolezal · Oct 11, 2009, 04:40 PM

MGD77 has good point about protecting new clean out plug. I would even suggest that you lower the clean out pipe by 3" so it ends up below the surface. Just remember where it is. This way, it won't get damaged again...

I am enclosing photo of clean out plug on the exterior of a house...Can you spot it ? This is before landscaping was installed. Eventually, the plug will end up about 1-2" bellow the ground.

yyingzhou · Oct 11, 2009, 11:47 PM

Thank you guys! You suggestions really help. It's s a plastic cover and the pipe is PVC. I think the builder left it too high at the very beginning. I'll try to lower it as Milo said. The good thing is the service man returned my call and he'll help me to fix it. What a relief! This is a GREAT website to stay with for taking care of house! Thank you guys again!

Enfumu · Apr 24, 2013, 12:57 PM

I have a cast iron clean out cap lodged inside my sewer pipe just below the clean-out and about three feet into the cast iron sewer pipe. My home has a slab foundation and every plummer has a difference of opinion as to how to remove the cap, from digging under the foundation to remove and replace the pipe to sawing through the bathroom foundation. Is there a less invasive or expensive method to extract this cap?

hkstroud · Apr 24, 2013, 01:59 PM

Show some pictures.

speedball1 · Apr 24, 2013, 02:17 PM

If I understand you correctly you can reach the cast iron cover,(. Just the cover, right? ) from the existing cleanout. Since it's cast iron why not take a hammer and a long chisel and take that sucker out in pieces? That's what I'd do, Good luck Tom

Enfumu · Apr 24, 2013, 09:23 PM

No pictures available. I could see the image through the camera used to inspect the clean out pipe.

Milo Dolezal · Apr 25, 2013, 10:49 AM

I am confused with your post... Usually, clean-out plug is exactly the size of the pipe it sits on - therefore it won't fit inside the pipe. If you managed to drop in a size smaller clean-out plug than push it with snake and water down the pipe all the way to the street. Don't try to fish it out as chances are slim that you will succeed. Buy a new plug instead and install it on top of the riser. Hope that helps. Back to you. Milo

speedball1 · Apr 25, 2013, 10:58 AM

Then you can't reach it? Back to you, Tom

mygirlsdad77 · Apr 25, 2013, 03:45 PM

Im betting the cap/plug was broken while trying to remove it and most of it fell in?

Enfumu · Apr 25, 2013, 09:34 PM

This is not the original clean out plug someone had to put this smaller plug into the sewer line. I can't prove it but I believe a plummer I called out.