Step outside to find this critical part of your septic system
Septic tank cleanouts provide direct access to your septic system, making it easier to clear clogged pipes and fix other septic problems—without having to tear up your yard and dig into your septic tank. So, where is your septic tank cleanout located? Well, it varies. If you’re having trouble locating yours, the following steps can help you track it down.
You might be familiar with some parts of your septic system (like your septic tank and drain field), but do you know what a septic tank cleanout is? In short, a septic tank cleanout (also known as a sewer cleanout) is a pipe that sits outside your home and connects your house and your septic system.
Cleanouts provide an escape route for waste in your septic system, which can help prevent flooding in your home. Your plumber or septic pro may need to access the cleanout if your pipes are clogged or if sewage is backing up in your home. They may also need to open your cleanout while performing a septic tank pumping.
You might decide to open your septic tank cleanout if you have a stubborn clog that won’t go away. Assuming you’ve already tried other tactics (like plunging, pouring boiling water down your blocked drain, and using a baking soda mixture), you can try to remove the cleanout cap and clear the main sewer line clog yourself.
Ideally, you’ll never have to locate or open your septic tank cleanout without professional assistance. But if you’re the DIY type and want to try resolving your plumbing problems without a pro, you’ll need to know where to find your cleanout. Here’s how to do that.
Before you start searching for your septic tank cleanout, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Generally, cleanouts are made from black, white, or gray PVC piping. However, if you have an older house, your cleanout might be metal. In either case, it should have a removable threaded plug on the end.
To find your cleanout, start by heading to your septic tank. Not sure where yours is? You can find your septic tank by tracing the sewer lines from your home into your yard, looking for dips or dents in your lawn, or pulling up your county records.
Next, walk from your tank toward your home and keep an eye on the ground. Your cleanout will likely be sticking out of the ground within a few feet of the outside of your home. You may need to clear out leaves, bushes, or landscaping over the septic tank that might be blocking it.
Can’t find it? You may need to reach out to a plumber or septic tank company for help.
If you take good care of your septic tank, it can last up to 30 years. To keep your tank functioning properly, you’ll want to have it inspected annually and pumped every three to five years.
It’s also important to be careful about what you put down your toilets and drains. In short, toilet paper and human waste are the only things that should go into your septic system. You should never flush things like baby wipes, diapers, cat litter, or cigarette butts because they can back up your septic system. Never dump harsh chemicals—like ammonia, bleach, insect killers, and gasoline—down the drain because they can damage the tank.
Unclogging your septic tank cleanout is generally fine to do on your own, but it’s best to defer to an expert for more serious septic issues and repairs. If you think that there’s something wrong with your septic tank or another part of your septic system, get in touch with a local septic tank cleaner who can diagnose and fix the issue.
On average, septic tank repairs cost anywhere from $630 to $2,970. If a pro uncovers a major problem, you may need a septic system replacement, which typically costs between $3,460 and $11,360.
On average, a one-time septic tank pump costs $400 (although prices can range from $250 to $550). You should empty it every few years, depending on the size of the tank and your household. Regular pumping is important to keep your septic system functioning properly; without it, waste can build up inside your septic tank, seep into your drain field, and back up into your pipes—which can be unsanitary, expensive, and smelly.
There are a few signs that you might notice if your drain field is bad. For starters, if you see standing water or soggy grass above your drain field, it could mean that it isn’t working correctly. Or, if your yard smells like sewage, it could also indicate that there’s a problem with your drain field. Repairing a drain field costs an average of $2,000 to $15,000.
Some of the first signs of a full septic tank include backed-up drains and hard-to-flush toilets. You might also hear your pipes making gurgling or bubbling sounds, smell any foul odors, or see sewage coming back up through your drains. Alternatively, if your lawn suddenly becomes lush and healthy, it could be due to an overflowing septic tank that’s leaking waste into your yard.
