Drain Cleanouts and How Plumbers Use Them

Drain Cleanouts are temporarily sealed openings in plumbing drains, in various locations in the home, which allow plumbers to access the drains should a clog develop. A very good summary of plumbing drain cleanouts can be found in an article on the topic by Inspectapedia.

The article brings up some important points which is valuable for householders to know.

1. Building regulations require cleanouts on the drain piping in the first floor of a home. Clogs in pipes above that cleanout frequently can only be reached via access through drain traps in upper floors. If the clog is some distance from the drain, and located in a bend, elbow, or tee of the pipe, as clogs frequently are, then getting to it will probably require the skill, experience, and equipment of a professional plumber.
2. Building regulations for installation of cleanouts is very complex, which is why any installation involving or requiring cleanouts should include the services of a licensed plumber or plumbing contractor. 
3. Problems plumbers and homeowners run into with regard to cleanouts include:

• Cleanouts  hidden behind walls
• Cleanouts that are converted to connections to washing machines in the basement and therefore no longer available as an access to  clogs.
• Cleanouts that are left open, and therefore can potentially spew garbage into the home.