How to Find Your Sewer Line From House to Street: 6 Methods
Know the ins and outs of your home’s wastewater system and rest easy
Finding your home’s sewer line might not be a topic that crosses your mind regularly. However, it's crucial knowledge in order to prevent damaging this important part of your septic system. The last thing you want is to deal with leaking sewage or a flooded yard. That’s why we’re going to help you learn how to find the sewer line from house to street using a few different methods.
Why Find the Sewer Line?
Knowing the location of your sewer line can save you from potential headaches down the road. Here are a few reasons why it's essential.
Plant Trees in Appropriate Places
One common reason for sewer line damage is the growth of tree roots. When trees or other landscaping features are planted over the sewer line, their roots can infiltrate the pipes, causing blockages, leaks, and other damage. Knowing where your sewer line is can help you prevent these issues.
Avoid Digging Near Your Sewer Line
If you're planning new construction, fresh landscaping, or any project that requires digging, knowing the sewer line's location is vital. If the line is buried only a few feet deep, even building a simple fence could nick the line, which could lead to nasty leaks and costly sewer line repairs.
Identify Septic Issues Early
Being aware of your sewer line's location allows you to spot septic issues early. Early detection of leaks and blockages lets you address those problems while they’re still minor and prevent major problems to save you money on big repairs in the future.
Signs Your Sewer Line Is Clogged or Damaged
Before we discuss how to find your sewer line, let’s talk about how to recognize the signs of a damaged or clogged sewer line. Keep an eye out for the following:
Slow draining sinks or toilets
Gurgling sounds from drains
Foul odors coming from drains
Sewage backups in your home
Patches of overly lush grass in your yard
How to Find Your Sewer Line From House to Street: 6 Methods
Now that you understand why locating your sewer line is crucial and the signs of potential problems, let's explore various methods to find it.
1. Check Your Home Documents and Blueprints
If you have access to your home’s blueprints and other documents, this is the first place you should look when locating your home's sewer line. These documents often contain valuable information about the property's utility layout, including the sewer line's path.
Look for any records, plans, or blueprints provided by the builder or previous homeowners. These documents can provide precise details on the sewer line's route, depth, and connection points. If available, they can save you time and effort when it comes to locating and understanding the layout of your sewer system.
2. Locate the Cleanout Pipe
Locating the cleanout pipe is a practical and cost-effective method to find your home's sewer line from the house to the street. This white PVC pipe typically has a removable cap and serves as an access point to your sewer system. You can usually find it in your yard, often positioned vertically and protruding slightly from the ground a few feet away from the foundation.
You can also check your basement or crawl space if the cleanout pipe isn’t visible in the yard. Once found, simply remove the cap and you'll reveal the direction of your sewer line, providing valuable information about its path without the need for professional equipment or services.
3. Use a Pipe Locator
Using a pipe locator is one of the most reliable methods to find your home's sewer line. This device is a specialized tool designed to detect underground pipes, including sewer lines. Here's how to use it.
Ensure the pipe locator is properly calibrated and set for sewer line detection.
Begin at a known point, such as the cleanout pipe or a marked utility location.
Walk the device slowly across your yard, following the suspected path of the sewer line.
The locator will emit signals or display readings when it detects the pipe's presence.
As you move, mark the ground or use flags to trace the path where the locator indicates the sewer line's position.
Double-check the detected path to confirm accuracy and record the sewer line's route.
Using a pipe locator offers precision and ease in identifying your sewer line's location, making it a valuable tool for homeowners and professionals alike.
4. Check With Your City
Some municipalities maintain records and utility maps that include the locations of sewer lines, and some cities even have those maps available online. You can typically access this information through your city's website or by contacting the local utility department. By consulting these resources, you can get accurate and up-to-date information about the sewer line's path from your house to the street.
This method is especially useful for urban areas where utility infrastructure data is readily available to the public, allowing you to plan and avoid accidental damage during excavation or landscaping projects.
5. Dial 811
Probably the most convenient method, you can dial 811 in the United States. This national hotline connects you to your local utility company, allowing you to request that utility professionals come to your property and mark the location of various underground utilities, including your sewer lines.
While you may have to wait a couple of days, this free service ensures accuracy and safety when excavating or conducting construction projects near your sewer line. It's a proactive step to prevent accidental damage and helps you gain a clear understanding of where your sewer line runs from your house to the street.
6. Hire a Septic Professional
It's essential to consider your comfort level, the time you have available, and the complexity of your situation. Hiring a local sewer service with the right equipment might be the best option for accuracy and peace of mind. This is an especially good choice if you already have a septic pro you work closely with for routine maintenance.
How to Prevent Sewer Line Damage
Preventing sewer line damage is in every homeowner’s best interest—dealing with these issues is not fun. Here are some steps you can take to prevent sewer line damage.
Refrain from driving over your sewer line.
Avoid planting large trees near your sewer line.
Be cautious when digging in your yard and mark your sewer lines first.
Regularly maintain your sewer line with professional inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sewer cleanout typically looks like a white or gray PVC pipe with a removable cap. It's often located either in your yard or basement, depending on your home's plumbing configuration. The cleanout pipe is designed to provide easy access to your sewer system for maintenance and inspections. It may be flush with the ground or slightly elevated, making it distinguishable from other pipes. When you remove the cap, you can access the sewer line directly or determine its direction, which can be helpful when you need to locate your sewer line from your house to the street.
No, you typically cannot use metal detectors to find your sewer line. Most sewer lines are made of non-metallic materials such as PVC, clay, or cast iron, which are not detectable by standard metal detectors. Metal detectors are designed to locate metallic objects, so they won't be effective for identifying the path of a non-metallic sewer line. To locate your sewer line accurately, it's best to use other methods.
It's advisable to have your sewer line inspected every three to five years to ensure its proper functioning and detect any potential issues early on. However, the frequency of inspections can vary based on factors such as the age of your sewer system, the type of pipes used, and your property's location. If you notice any warning signs like slow drains, foul odors, or sewage backups, it's essential to schedule an inspection promptly, regardless of the regular maintenance schedule.
This depends on your location. Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep. People in colder climates will have deeper sewer lines than people in warmer climates due to the dangers of the frost line and freezing pipes. Permits are required for all aspects of septic system installation, so the city should have the building plans for your system, which will tell you how deep your lines are.
First, find the cleanout pipe in your yard. Unscrew the cap—you may need a wrench to do so. Then, get a drain snake. You can use a non-motorized one, but a motorized snake will make the job a little easier. Feed the snake through the pipe until it reaches the clog. Spin the snake continuously, but don’t try to feed it through the pipe anymore. Keep spinning until you feel it break the clog apart.