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Discussion Forum

sewer line clean out

dockelly | Posted in General Discussion on August 20, 2007 02:47am

Hi All,

Which direction should the wye face for a sewer line clean out, upstream or downstream?

Thanks
Kevin

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    JonBlakemore | Aug 20, 2007 02:51am | #1

    Typically upstream (so the snake will easily go downstream) but I could see reversing if it you think you will need to remove a clog that is upstream of the wye.

     

    Jon Blakemore

    RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

    1. dockelly | Aug 20, 2007 02:57am | #2

      Hey Jon,I've done some research and seems it can be either, is it a regional thing?Kevin

      1. User avater
        JonBlakemore | Aug 20, 2007 03:21am | #3

        I guess it could be regional, I can't really say for sure since I've typically only seen it one way.I'm not a plumber, but I think it's good practice to put the system together in such a way that you discourage clogs. Having the wye point downstream seems that it could, in some limited circumstances, cause trouble.Why are you asking? 

        Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

        1. dockelly | Aug 20, 2007 05:30am | #5

          because I need a new sewer line and the guys that we're supposed to do it never showed up, called 6 guys on Friday but I'm planning for the worst with me doing it myself.

  2. sawduster | Aug 20, 2007 03:25am | #4

    Put in a Kelly fitting and either direction is accessible.

    1. dockelly | Aug 20, 2007 05:31am | #6

      A Kelly fitting, I'll have to google that. You're not pulling my leg are you?

      1. alwaysoverbudget | Aug 20, 2007 05:41am | #7

        if i'm not mistaken i believe they make a cleanout fitting,it wye's both ways so you can go up or down.   around here our sewer lines run about 150' to main,that is the way i would want it going so i could clean out the long run.larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

      2. JonE | Aug 20, 2007 09:42pm | #17

        Nope, he's not kidding.  A kelly fitting is best described as a double cleanout wye. 

        1. dockelly | Aug 21, 2007 02:17am | #18

          stopped by Lowes and found the "kelly" fitting. Seems the guys there were partial to scd 40 pvc over ABS, you have a preference? I know there not interchangable, can't glue one to the other, but I assume you can use a rubber coupling, Fernco type, to marry the two. Plumbing under house was ABS.Thanks
          Kevin

          1. JonE | Aug 21, 2007 02:20am | #19

            Fernco should work fine, but if you already have ABS, use ABS. 

  3. DanH | Aug 20, 2007 06:06am | #8

    The usual theory is that most of the lines in the house can be reached from a fixture with a lightweight auger. But to snake out the main drain line (which may be anywhere from 50 to several hundred feet long) you want larger auger. So the cleanout is somewhere along the main line, angled to allow snaking toward the street.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
  4. fingersandtoes | Aug 20, 2007 06:28am | #9

    Snaking a clogged line from down stream never ends well.

    1. DanH | Aug 20, 2007 06:30am | #10

      Well, it can end up in your lap.
      So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Aug 20, 2007 06:45am | #11

        only with the lines that aren't overhead..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

        1. DanH | Aug 20, 2007 02:35pm | #12

          You said a mouthful.
          So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

          1. User avater
            caveman | Aug 20, 2007 06:01pm | #13

            Gives a whole new meaning to fast food.....ya want flies wd dat?                      I've upped my standards...now up yours

          2. DanH | Aug 20, 2007 07:32pm | #15

            Gives a whole new meaning to the expression "sh!t-eating grin".
            So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

          3. User avater
            caveman | Aug 20, 2007 08:34pm | #16

            just  like "eatin at the wye"

            8^)

                                  I've upped my standards...now up yours

            Edited 8/20/2007 1:55 pm ET by caveman

  5. Shacko | Aug 20, 2007 07:30pm | #14

    The branch of the wye should be facing upstream on all sewer connections. One of the other posts said a Kelly fitting for cleanout in both directions; that is correct, I would not put one on a vertical, luck.

    .................................
    "If all else fails, read the directions"

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