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If you’re a homeowner who connects to a municipal sewer line, your property comes equipped with a sewer clean out. The clean out is a capped entry into the lateral sewer line that directs waste from your home to the city sewage facility. And while the sewer line may connect to the city, you’re responsible for making sure your clean out is properly maintained and visible.

According to Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing of North Pole, AK, it’s important to be aware of your clean out, as it is where drain cleaning crews access your sewer line to unclog blockages. And without that service, your home could be subject to hazardous sewage backups.

Here are a few tips to make the sewer line inspection and drain cleaning processes go a lot easier:Sewer Inspection

  • Know Where the Sewer Clean Out is Located: Typically, sewer clean-outs are located outside, directly above the sewer line. However, in snowy areas—such as Alaska—it’s also common for clean outs to be located in the home usually in the basement or crawlspace. Follow the sewer line from the street. or nearest municipal sewer drain back to your home until you find a steel or plastic cap that dead-ends through a vertical pipe. The cap will read “clean out,” but older models may have no markings.
  • Uncover the Sewer Clean Out: If you haven’t accessed it in a while, outdoor sewer clean outs can be covered in dirt, debris, or overgrowth. Any cleanout located below the ground should be extended above ground for easy visibility especially in winter.  It’s important to make sure this area remains clean, particularly before a sewer line inspection or drain cleaning. If it isn’t uncovered, your sewer service provider may have to charge extra in order to find and clear the area.
  • Flag the Sewer Clean Out: Even if you take time to clear the top of your clean out, that Alaskan snow is likely to cover it back up in a short amount of time. For this reason, it’s important to flag the sewer clean out for quicker access.

If you have any problems locating your sewer clean out, Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing is happy to help. They are also the top choice for effective sewer line camera inspection and drain cleaning in the Fairbanks area. To schedule service call the team directly at (907) 488-9855—they are available 24 hours a day for emergency service.

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