The Hidden Benefits of a Cleanout Drain

When your sewer system is functioning properly, it probably isn’t something you’ll notice much. However, if things go wrong, you can end up with big, disastrous events like floods and backed-up toilets. If you want to reduce the risk of things progressing to this stage, it’s important to be prepared for the worst. A sewer cleanout drain is a helpful preventative feature that can help save you a lot of money and hassle.

What Is a Sewer Cleanout Drain?

A sewer cleanout drain doesn’t look like much on the surface. It’s usually a small pipe with a square-shaped cap that sticks out somewhere along the side or back of your house. However, underneath the soil, there’s a lot going on. This drain uses a vertical length of pipe to connect to the main drain in your home. It allows for quick and easy access to your sewer line whenever something goes wrong.

Why Cleanout Drains Are Especially Important in Tennessee

Due to Tennessee’s mountainous geography, a lot of homes end up with sewer lines installed in unusual locations and at odd angles. This lack of standardization can lead to some confusion when you’re trying to clean drains. Having a cleanout drain makes it much simpler to access the important parts of your sewer line.

Furthermore, cleanout drains are recommended in Tennessee because sewer lines in our state are especially prone to clogs. Tennessee homes aren’t usually as weatherproofed as houses up north, but at the same time, we get a lot of frigid weather. This combination can cause frozen or slow-moving drains, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Problems a Yard Cleanout Drain Helps Prevent

A cleanout drain can help you avoid all sorts of frustrating issues.

Sewer Line Backups

We stress the importance of a sewer cleanout drain because it can prevent sewer line backups. You can address clogs before they reach the point of letting gallons of raw sewage flood into your home.

Costly Emergency Plumbing Repairs

When sewer line access is simpler, you’ll find the cost of emergency plumbing is much lower. A cleanout lets your plumber remove clogs with ease, and it also makes other tasks, like placing trenchless sewer lines, quicker.

Yard Flooding and Drainage Issues

Broken sewer lines can lead to swampy spots in your yard where sewage floods the soil. Fortunately, a cleanout drain prevents this issue by letting you break up small clogs quickly and identify damage.

Hidden Sewer Line Damage

In addition to helping with drain cleaning services, cleanouts also make inspections much easier. From this access point, your plumber can quickly send a camera through your sewer line and look for hidden damage like tree root intrusion or line breaks.

Interior Home Damage

One of the biggest issues with emergency plumbing disasters is that they can leak a lot of water into your home. This can lead to major flooding damage that requires you to replace walls, floors, cabinets, and more. A sewer cleanout lets you fix problems before they ever reach this stage of disaster.

When You May Need a Cleanout Installed or Repaired

How do you know if it’s time to install a cleanout drain or get your existing one repaired? Here are some warning signs you need to look out for.

Older Homes Without Existing Cleanouts

If you don’t already have a cleanout drain in Tennessee, it’s a good idea to install one. This will help bring your plumbing up to code and reduce your risk of issues.

Frequent Drain or Sewer Clogs

If your home often has sewer and drain clogs, we highly recommend adding a cleanout drain. Not only does it make it easier to fix clogs, but it can also help your plumber identify issues that are causing your clogs.

Planning Sewer Line Repairs or Replacement

Any time you’re getting work done on your sewer line, it’s worth considering the addition of a cleanout drain. Adding a cleanout is often very easy when a plumber is already replacing your sewer line, and having one installed will make the rest of their job easier.

Protect Your Home With a Proper Sewer Cleanout Drain. Call Pipe Wrench Today

If you suspect your home could benefit from a new or improved cleanout drain, turn to Pipe Wrench Plumbing! Our team of professional plumbers can assess your home and provide tips on the best type of cleanout for your system. We were voted Knoxville’s best plumbing company due to our punctuality and customer service, and you can always count on us to provide excellent sewer line repair, drain cleaning services, emergency plumbing, and plumbing maintenance in Tennessee. To learn more about Pipe Wrench Plumbing of Knoxville, contact our team of professionals today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some helpful details you might want to know about sewer cleanout drains.