It’s always a good idea to know where your sewer line and cleanout are
If you live in a house in Seattle, you can check the city’s Side Sewer Cards and Maps listing. Anywhere else in the US, try searching the internet for sewer side card. Enter your address to find the relevant card which will have a small map with a line and a little circle. That will be your sewer line and cleanout or drain.
What does a cleanout look like?
But you can probably find it the old-fashioned way—looking around. Cleanouts are usually near the toilet, but not necessarily inside the house. If you don’t see it indoors, look just outside the bathroom wall.
Indoors, look for a 4” round cap with a square peg on it. Sewer pipes are usually 4 inches. If you have a basement, look for a pipe running from the toilet upstairs.
What does a sink cleanout look like?
You can find a kitchen sink cleanout the same way, though the pipe could be smaller.
Is my cleanout in the wall?
If there’s a mysterious tiny door or removable panel in your bathroom, that could be covering your cleanout.
Is there a cleanout in my apartment?
If you live in an apartment, this is likely a question for the building’s manager. If you’re only responsible for clogs inside your unit, you can try a small barbed plastic drain snake. There are a few brands, but we see Zip-it the most.
Does drain cleaner work?
Don’t use a chemical drain cleaner. It doesn’t work at all if the pipe is obstructed by something solid. Plus, it isn’t good for the pipes, the planet, or any human who might come in contact with it.
