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andysjackson · Feb 20, 2011, 07:16 AM

I just moved to a house that the sewer backs up into the tubs and toilets,and I have looked for a clean out cap but can't find one,the house has a cement slab... any help would be apprieciated.. thnks andy

JudyKayTee · Feb 20, 2011, 07:41 AM

I think that depends on the area - in my area the Town Plumbing Inspector has this info on record; I would call the former owner and/or occupant; mine is "plastic" pipe with a METAL cap so I can find it with a metal detector (code requirement).

massplumber2008 · Feb 20, 2011, 07:51 AM

Hi all...

If you have a septic tank then you will usually find the main drain cleanout within 2 feet of the inside or outside of the foundation wall at the rear of the building.

If you are on city/town sewer then you will usually find the main drain cleanout within 2 feet of the inside or outside foundation wall at the front of the building.

Walk the perimeter of the foundation and see what you can find. If you can't locate the cleanout inside the building and there is nothing obvious outside the building then you will want to get a probing stick as the cleanout cover may be covered by a couple of inches of dirt outside... if you are lucky... ;)

Although unusual, you may also have a main drain cleanout at the base of a waste stack so look for that, too.

Otherwise, as Judykaytee said, the city/town may be able to show you exactly where the main drain exits the building and then you can use a shovel and dig down in that area to locate the main drain cleanout.

Good luck!

Mark

andysjackson · Mar 1, 2011, 07:18 AM

Thanks for all the help but I had to rent a machine and go through the pipe on the roof because I couldn't find the cap... but toilit is working and now I'm attempting to put a shower in... Thanks again ~~andy~~

Milo Dolezal · Mar 1, 2011, 10:32 AM

If the house is on slab and then look somewhere behind the toilet most distant from the front of the house. If it is on raised foundations than it is relative easy to locate the pipe. Otherwise, if you step back and look on the roof. You will see plumbing vents. The one closest to the front (may) indicate where main pipe exists house. ( I say "may" because this rule does not always apply ) Look in the dirt, about 1-5' away from the foundation with shovel. It may stick up our be buried right below dirt. If everything fails, you can call plumber with video inspection and he will trace it down.

Every homeowner should know where his/her clean outs are, especially when you start having sewer back ups. If you happen not to have one, install one. It will pay for itself.