How Much Does Installing a Sewer Cleanout Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,000 - $3,500
The average two-way sewer cleanout pipe installation costs $2,000, but the price can range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on type, size, and more.
A two-way sewer cleanout costs $2,000 to install on average. Costs commonly range from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on pipe size and labor costs. Costs range from $50 to $250 per linear foot.
A sewer cleanout is aptly named—this helpful pipe is capped and connected to the sewer line, so a pro can easily access it to remove any clogs in your system. It’s easily confused with a sewer cleanout service, where a plumber actually cleans out the sewer line, but this guide refers to the cost of a sewer cleanout, a type of pipe.
- Average
- $2,000
- Low end
- $750
- high end
- $5,300
Sewer Cleanout Cost Factors
With such a wide range of costs for a sewer cleanout, it’s clear that there are several factors that can influence the cost. The cost of a sewer cleanout will depend on how long the pipe is and what type you choose, but you’ll also need to pay for permits and labor.
Type
There are a few different types of sewer cleanouts, although you’ll most commonly see the two-way sewer cleanout setup, which costs $1,000 to $3,500, for modern homes. In less common cases, you may find one-way sewer cleanouts or test tees, ideal for use inside a home’s walls, and these may cost less than a two-way cleanout but offer less functionality.
Size
A sewer cleanout costs $50 to $250 per linear foot, so the longer the pipe you need to connect to the sewer line, the more you’ll spend for installation.
| Size in Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $50–$250 |
| 1.5 | $75–$375 |
| 2 | $100–$500 |
| 2.5 | $125–$625 |
| 3 | $150–$750 |
| 3.5 | $175–$875 |
| 4 | $200–$1,000 |
| 4.5 | $225–$1,125 |
| 5 | $250–$1,250 |
Labor
Labor-wise, you’ll pay $45 to $200 per plumber per hour, and the work takes a few hours. For bigger excavations that require heavy machinery or longer pipe installations, the work will take longer and cost more.
Permits
A permit costs $50 to $500 for plumbing projects but may go up to $1,600 for this type of project, and digging up the ground to connect with the sewer line always requires a permit. Fortunately, when you work with a pro, they can help you obtain the correct permits with no hassle.
Sewer Cleanout Cost by Type
Sewer cleanouts are available in a few different types, although today, you’ll mostly find two-way cleanouts available. Two-way cleanouts offer the most functionality, but there are other options if a two-way system doesn’t suit your budget.
One-Way Cleanout
A single sewer cleanout is a curved pipe that offers access to the sewer line from either the house or the yard. It is better than having no cleanout pipe, which makes it harder and more expensive to inspect and unclog the sewer line, but it’s not as functional as the two-way cleanout that offers sewer line access from both directions.
Two-Way Cleanout
A two-way sewer cleanout pipe costs about $1,000 to $3,500. This type of sewer cleanout, which is often in a “U” shape, offers access to the sewer line in two directions: from the yard and from the home. The two-way sewer cleanout means plumbers can send down a camera for inspections or use a snake or hydrojet from either direction for better access to clogs.
Test Tee
A test tee, commonly used as a sewer cleanout inside a wall, connects to the sewer line at a 90-degree angle. It isn’t as functional as a one- or two-way cleanout, but it does offer limited access to the drain line.
Sewer Cleanout Ongoing Costs
Once a pro installs your sewer cleanout, you’ll need to keep up with regular maintenance, repairs, and insurance payments to keep the pipe running smoothly. Here are some of the ongoing costs you can expect with a sewer cleanout installation.
Repairs
A broken cleanout cap costs $5 to $40 to fix, depending on the type that’s compatible with your pipe. You can accidentally break the cap if you run over it with a mower or weed whacker, so be careful around the sewer cleanout when doing yard work.
Other plumbing repairs cost $175 to $450, while repairs to the main sewer line cost $60 to $250 per linear foot.
Insurance
You may spend $8 to $15 per month or $40 to $200 per year for sewer line insurance with up to $20,000 in coverage. A homeowner’s insurance policy often doesn’t cover sewer line damage, so you may need to pay for an additional backup rider or even a standalone sewer line policy to help pay for potential damage, backups, and even regular inspections and maintenance, depending on your policy.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Since this job requires a permit, you’ll need to hire a local sewer service. This isn’t like patching up a pipe beneath your kitchen sink. You’re dealing with your main sewer line, and, in many cases, that line connects directly to your city’s sewer system. Even small errors in the installation process can lead to extensive (and expensive) repairs and clean-up costs, so it’s best to hire a pro to do it right the first time.
Cost of Common Sewer Cleanout Add-Ons
If you decide to install a sewer cleanout, there are several other projects and services you may want to tackle at the same time. As a bonus, you may even be able to bundle some services to boost your cost savings.
Septic tank replacement cost: $5,000–$12,000
Sewer line clog repair cost: $1,300–$5,100
Drain cleaning cost: $150–$350
Sewer line camera inspection cost: $250–$1,175
Sewer line installation cost: $1,400– $5,730
How to Save Money on Sewer Cleanout Installation
Installing a sewer cleanout itself is a project that can save you time and money on plumbing inspections and sewer cleaning, but you can also take advantage of a few different ways to save money on this project.
Get multiple quotes: Make sure to get at least three quotes from plumbing pros, and choose the option that offers the best value.
Choose a two-way cleanout: While a one-way or test tee may cost less, a two-way cleanout offers more functionality, making it a better value in the long run.
Install closer to the sewer line: If your property landscape allows, shorten the linear feet you need to pay for by installing the sewer cleanout closer to the sewer line.
Mariel Loveland contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
A two-way cleanout in the sewer line offers access to the sewer line from both directions, which makes it easier to inspect the pipes and clear clogs in the line. Most homes already have a cleanout, but you may want to install a two-way cleanout in your sewer line if your home has frequent plumbing problems, you have an older home that doesn’t already have a cleanout, or you have older pipes and feel like you need more frequent maintenance.
A two-way cleanout can help if there’s already a clog, but the best strategy to prevent one is by not rinsing grease, oil, or fat down your drains, not flushing or rinsing coffee grounds or egg shells down your drains, flushing only human waste and toilet paper (so no diapers, period products, bathroom wipes, or paper towels), and using drain guards on all of your drains.
One way to save money on sewer lines is to install a sewer cleanout since it makes sewer line maintenance easier. Keeping up with maintenance is key to reducing the cost of repairs, so be sure to schedule annual plumbing inspections, install drain guards to stop objects from accidentally falling down drains, and only flush human waste and toilet paper to protect your pipes.
A sewer line should be cleaned at least once every 18 to 22 months. The process takes about 30 minutes or up to 5 hours, depending on the size of the line, how easy it is to access, and how long it’s been since the previous cleaning. If your sewer line hasn’t been cleaned in a couple of years or you don’t even know the last time it’s been cleaned, it’s time to call a pro.
If you don’t have a sewer cleanout, clearing out clogs can be extremely difficult. You would need to try to clear the clog from sink drains, but it can be harder to reach the clog all the way in the drain line. A sewer cleanout makes it much faster and easier for pros to clear clogs from your main sewer line.