How to Install Clean Outs for Sewer Lines
Sewer lines without clean outs pose major challenges when the lines become clogged. It is difficult to impossible to clean a sewer line exterior to the building by working through a plumbing fixture like a sink or toilet. Most local building codes now require clean outs to be installed within a certain number of feet from where the building drain line leaves the building and connects to the sewer line. Codes may also specify to have clean outs every 75 to 100 feet until the sewer line meets the municipal sewer line. Most modern drain installations use PVC pipe and that is what is covered here. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- PVC cleaner
- PVC solvent cement
- 1/8 bend, double clean out fitting
- Rag
- PVC pipe
- Shovel
- Tape measure
- Sawzall
- Clean out bushing
- Clean out plug
Instructions
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1
Check local building codes to determine how far away from the building the clean out should be located.
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2
Clean the end of the building drain line pipe with the PVC cleaner at the point where the clean out fitting will be installed. Use the brush attached to the can cap to brush the cleaner all around the outside of the pipe end, and 3 inches back from the end. Scrub stubborn dirt with the brush to remove all foreign matter. To hold the pipe up off the trench bottom, slide a brick or small stone underneath it a foot or so from its end.
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3
Clean inside the connecting hubs of the fitting. There are three hubs, one at each opening of the fitting. About 3 inches inside each hub is a ridge where the connecting pipe will come to rest when installed into the hub. Clean to the ridge in each opening using the same process as used in Step 2.
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4
Apply the solvent cement to the end of the building drain pipe using the brush attached to the can's cap. Wipe the cement all around the pipe and extend it back from the end about 3 inches.
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5
Apply the solvent cement inside one of the fitting hubs that has another hub directly opposite and quickly slide the hub over the pipe until the pipe comes to a stop inside the hub. Quickly adjust the pipe so the one hub sticking straight up is plumb, by turning the fitting slightly one way or the other while maintaining pressure against the pipe. Hold in place for 20 seconds before releasing.
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6
Wipe around the connection with the rag to remove excess cement.
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7
Lay the shovel handle across the trench top, perpendicular to the trench and over the center of the fitting. Measure from the ridge inside the fitting hub that is sticking straight up, to 1 foot above the shovel handle.
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8
Cut the PVC pipe to the length measured in Step 7 using the sawzall to create the riser for the fitting. Press the sawzall trigger and bring the reciprocating blade against the pipe. Apply slight downward pressure, causing the teeth to cut the pipe. Keep the saw blade straight up and down while cutting so the ends of the cut pipe are square.
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9
Clean both ends of the riser using the PVC cleaner.
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10
Apply solvent cement inside the fitting hub sticking straight up and all around one end of the riser. Slide the riser into the hub until it stops and hold for 20 seconds before releasing. Wipe the connection with the rag.
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11
Clean the hub portion of the clean out bushing using the PVC cleaner. Apply solvent cement to the top end of the riser and to the hub of the bushing. Slide the bushing on to the riser until it stops and hold for 20 seconds before releasing. Wipe the connection with the rag.
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12
Thread the plug into the bushing.
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13
Clean the end of the first pipe in the sewer line run, apply solvent cement to it and to the final hub of the clean out fitting. Slide the pipe into the hub until it stops and hold for 20 seconds before releasing. Wipe the connection with the rag.
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14
Continue assembling the sewer line.
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Tips & Warnings
Buy the clean out fitting of the same size as your main building drain line diameter. These are usually 3 inch lines, although some buildings may be plumbed with 4 inch lines.
Some jurisdictions may limit the overall height of the clean out riser, so check local codes regarding this and adjust riser height accordingly.
