Our house was built in the mid to late 60's and we've come to the realization that we have a clog in the main line. We spoke to our normal plumber and he said that we should have a clean out but we can't find it. There is one under our house but it's on a vertical pipe that runs straight into the ground and it's about midway between the front and back of the house. We're on a hill so we would assume that any pipes would run to the street down the hill. My husband has been outside poking and digging trying to locate one, but he hasn't had any luck. Roto Rooter was just here and they said that it might not have been required when our house was built. Thoughts? Suggestions?

TIA!

You don't have one. You are going to have to see where the sewer pipe leaves the house and go outside and dig down to the pipe. It is probably clay tile pipe and knock a hole in the pipe for access with a drain cleaner machine. It is probably 24 to 36 inches deep.

Hi Jaimiem...

Use the cleanout on the vertical stack OR you could always lift a toilet if needed to access the drain line IF it is significantly closer to the outside drain line. You could also break into the drain line as eyecue suggested... pipe may be clay or could be cast iron.

After the drain line is cleared you will want to plan on getting a cleanout installed just exterior to the home... say within 18-24" of the foundation.

Let us know if you want to discuss more... OK?

MARK

Thank you for the responses. We ended up having to get someone to pull up the toilet and use a power snake there. The one under the house isn't accessible by the snake machine unfortunately.

If we were to have one installed, about how much should we expect to spend?

Hi jaimiem..

Glad to hear you're all set for now... :)

In terms of the cost associated with installing a cleanout outside the building it really isn't fair for us to estimate on this as we do not know the depth of the pipe, the type of pipe or the cost of labor in your area.

I believe you would be best to get 2 or 3 estimates and go with the plumber that you feel best working with! ALWAYS check references!

MARK

I was told by a sewer tech that external cleanouts are better if they are a bit distant from the house 10-15ft (depending on local code) to facilitate snaking back towards the house if required. On another note the original poster doesn't mention whether his house has a trap or not. That certainly would have been mandatory. I have found in many older buildings one or both of the trap openings get covered up in dirt inside a shallow compartment in the basement. Worth it to carefully dig around it so both trap plugs are accessible.

Our code. (SPC) mandates that an clean out be installed not over 18" from the foundation and brought to grade. Even as far back as the 60's this was code.
Glad you got all fixed up. Tom